"macaroni" news and stories

Best Boxed Macaroni and Cheese

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Sep 1st 2009 @ 4:09PM

We boiled, stirred and microwaved our way through more than 50 boxes in search of the best boxed macaroni and cheese. Read on for results.

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Best Boxed Mac and Cheese

by Sarah De Heer
We boiled, stirred and microwaved our way through more than 50 boxes in search of the very best boxed macaroni and cheese. In the end, we selected several runners-up and a winner in each of four categories: cheese sauce, organic, powder and microwaveable, as well as an overall winner and the absolute worst. Did our panelists find a new fave, or were they loyal to that nostalgic blue box? Read on for results.

Rachel Been, AOL

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Best Boxed Mac and Cheese

Rachel Been, AOL

Runner-up: Cheese Sauce
Velveeta 2% Milk

Creaminess: Very creamy and thick, almost gloppy.
Cheese Factor (1-5): 4
Instructions (1-5): 5
Our panel says: "With a creamy texture, it had a decent taste without being overwhelming."

Rachel Been, AOL

Runner-up: Cheese Sauce
Kraft Deluxe 2% Milk

Creaminess: Very creamy
Cheese Factor (1-5): 4
Instructions (1-5): 5
Our panel says: "While creamy and smooth, the cheese flavor was mild, not particularly tangy or cheesy."

Rachel Been, AOL

Runner-up: Cheese Sauce
Velveeta -- Original

Creaminess: Very Creamy
Cheese Factor (1-5): 5
Instructions (1-5): 5
Our panel says: "The cheese tasted very eggy, too rich -- though it was smooth."

Runner-up: Cheese Sauce
Clear Value Shells

Creaminess: Sauce was really smooth, but became overwhelming creamy.
Cheese Factor (1-5): 4
Instructions (1-5): 5
Our panel says: "The shells were kind of rough, but the sauce made up for that. Though, it had absolutely no taste and didn't even smell like cheese."

Rachel Been, AOL

Winner: Cheese Sauce
Kraft Deluxe -- Sharp Cheddar Sauce

Creaminess: Extremely thick and creamy
Cheese Factor (1-5): 3
Instructions (1-5): 5
Our panel says: "The noodles are thick, therefore they hold the sauce well. The cheddar flavor stands out; it's hearty and satisfying."

Rachel Been, AOL

Runner-up: Organic
365 Organic Cheddar (Whole Foods Market)

Style: Powder
Creaminess: Gummy and viscous
Cheese Factor (1-5): 4
Instructions (1-5): 5
Our panel says: "Using less butter or unsalted butter would improve the flavor of the cheese. The powder mixed well with the pasta, leaving behind no chunks."

Runner-up: Organic
Annie's Elbows & Four Cheese Sauce

Style: Cheese Sauce
Creaminess: Thick, but not too sticky
Cheese Factor (1-5): 5
Instructions (1-5): 5
Our panel says: "Great balance between al dente shells and cheese. The four-cheese blend was delicious."

Rachel Been, AOL

Runner-up: Organic
Annie's Whole Wheat White Cheddar

Style: Powder
Creaminess: Not creamy at all, sauce sat at the bottom of the pot
Cheese Factor (1-5): 2
Instructions (1-5): 5
Our panel says: "The whole wheat shells were great -- nutty and grainy just like whole wheat pasta should be. Though, the texture of the sauce was too runny to match the density of the pasta. With a little added grated cheese, this boxed mac and cheese could be a winner."

Rachel Been, AOL

Runner-up: Organic
Annie's Bunny Pasta

Style: Powder
Creaminess: Slightly creamy
Cheese Factor (1-5): 4
Instructions (1-5): 4
Our panel says: "While it had a great texture and certainly pleased our craving, I would use less powder, butter and milk next time."

Rachel Been, AOL

Filed under: Taste Test

Comfort Food: Baked macaroni and cheese

COMMENTS 6

by Emily Matchar, Posted Mar 2nd 2008 @ 11:55AM

Everyone needs a go-to mac and cheese recipe; this is mine, from a 1994 Gourmet magazine via Epicurious.com. I've made it for numerous Fourth of July parties, birthdays and summer lunches by the pool and it's the freakin' definition of "crowd pleaser." Nothing fancy, no additions of curry powder or green onion or smoked mozzarella (though those would probably all be good), just elbow macaroni, cheddar and Parmesan, bread crumbs, milk and butter, with a dash of cayenne, dry mustard and a little flour. Baked in the oven with a bread crumb topping and sliced into wedges, it's dense and creamy in the middle with a delicate crunchy top.

If you do want to try some additions, dozens of Epicurious commenters have left their suggestions. But I think it's just perfect for what it is, which is why I wanted to share. I'll be making four batches later for my pig pickin'. More on that later...

Source

Filed under: Ingredients

Tantalizing Tofu: Mac 'n Cheese

COMMENTS 0

by Ellen Slattery, Posted Feb 2nd 2008 @ 1:30PM

Everyone's favorite comfort dish gets a tofu twist.

Macaroni and Cheese with Tofu
From: Moosewood Restaurant New Classics
Serves: 4-6

You will need:
12 oz. pasta (white or whole wheat)

Cheese sauce:
12 oz. low fat silken tofu
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 up grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. yellow mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. turmeric

1/4 cup minced onions
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1/2 bread crumbs mixed with 1/4 cup grated cheddar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2-qt. baking dish with oil.

Bring water to a boil, and cook pasta according to package directions.

Combine all cheese sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree.

Drain pasta, and mix it along with cheese sauce, onions, and pasta, into baking dish. Sprinkle bread crumb/cheddar mixture on top. Bake for 30 minutes covered, and then 5 minutes uncovered.

Back to home

Filed under: Vegetarian/Vegan, Ingredient Spotlight

Happy National Pasta Day!

COMMENTS 4

by Bob Sassone, Posted Oct 17th 2007 @ 8:08AM

Pasta I've been cutting down on carbs lately and looking for an excuse to have a big plate of spaghetti topped with sauce and grated parmesan cheese. Hello National Pasta Day!

I could spend the entire day just doing posts for pasta, it's such a versatile food, but I can't do that. Instead, here are several pasta recipes from various sites, including Epicurious, AllRecipes, RecipeZaar, Food Network, The Reluctant Gourmet and The National Pasta Association.

And don't forget the sauce! Here are several recipes from About.com and this one from MealsMatter.org for Southwestern Pasta Sauce.

Filed under: Trends, Ingredients, Holidays

Serious mac and cheese

COMMENTS 1

by Nick Vagnoni, Posted Nov 9th 2006 @ 1:02PM

Last night, NPR's News and Notes featured a brief but serious piece about macaroni and cheese by Los Angeles-based columnist and actor Joseph C. Phillips. Phillips seems truly distressed, and rightly so, that his kids have been served a powdery, imitation mac and cheese at a local restaurant. He uses this experience of what mac and cheese isn't as a springboard for talking about what mac and cheese is, and, more specifically, what it is in the African American community. "This is the storytelling," Phillips says of the guarded recipes and mystique that surround really good homemade examples of the dish. He then goes on to share a few of his favorite mac and cheese-related stories. His own recipe is available on his website, here. The photo is of Sarah Gim's liveblogged mac and cheese from last winter.

Filed under: Ingredients, Methods