Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is beloved by many. At its core, mac and cheese is pasta baked in a cheese sauce. But what exactly is the pasta used in mac and cheese called? The pasta shapes most commonly used in mac and cheese dishes are elbow macaroni and shell pasta. Let’s take a closer look at these pasta shapes and why they work so well in cheesy baked pasta dishes.
Elbow Macaroni
Elbow macaroni is the pasta shape that most often comes to mind when we think of mac and cheese. Elbow macaroni gets its name from its bent, elbow-like shape. It is a short, tubular pasta made of durum wheat.
Some key features of elbow macaroni that make it ideal for mac and cheese:
– Hollow tube shape: The hollow tube shape allows the pasta to hold onto the cheese sauce, ensuring every bite is packed with cheesy flavor.
– Small size: Elbow macaroni is fairly small in size. This means the pasta cooks quickly and also provides more surface area for the cheese sauce to cling to.
– Sturdy texture: Elbow macaroni has a nice firm, sturdy texture that holds its shape well when baked.
– Ability to scoop sauce: The curved shape is perfect for scooping and holding cheese sauce.
Elbow macaroni has been used in mac and cheese recipes for decades thanks to its ability to deliver the perfect cheesy pasta experience. It is by far the most popular and traditional pasta choice for this classic dish.
Shell Pasta
Shell pasta is another great pasta variety that works well in mac and cheese recipes. Shell pasta gets its name from its hollow, curved cup-like shape that resembles a seashell.
Here are some of the characteristics of shell pasta that make it a good fit for cheesy baked pasta dishes:
– Deep cup shape: The deep cup shape allows shell pasta to hold extra cheese sauce in each piece. Every bite contains a pool of melted cheesy goodness.
– Small to medium size: Shell pasta comes in a range of sizes from small to medium. The smaller sizes work best for holding sauce in mac and cheese.
– Ability to scoop and hold sauce: The curved interior is perfectly designed to scoop up cheese sauce. The thickness of the pasta keeps the shell sturdy when baked.
– Grooves and ridges: Many shell pasta varieties have grooves or ridges that allow the pasta to grip onto sauce.
– Fun shape: The seashell shape provides visual appeal and makes for a more interesting mac and cheese dish. Kids in particular enjoy the unique shape.
While elbow macaroni is the gold standard, shell pasta can be a fun alternative with its sauce-scooping ability and playful shape.
The Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese
While the pasta is important, the cheese sauce is what really makes mac and cheese taste so amazing. Using the right cheese or cheese combination can take your mac and cheese from basic to extraordinary. Here are some of the best cheeses to use:
Cheddar
Cheddar cheese is the quintessential cheese for mac and cheese. It provides that classic cheesy flavor, creamy texture, and orange cheese color that we all know and love. Aged cheddar provides the most flavor. Sharp or extra sharp cheddar packs the most punch.
Gruyère
Gruyère is a Swiss cheese that brings a nutty, sweet flavor to mac and cheese. It melts extremely well while keeping its structural integrity. The flavor pairs wonderfully with cheddar cheese.
Fontina
Fontina is an Italian cheese that melts very smoothly. It has a rich, velvety texture that makes a cheese sauce extra decadent. Fontina and cheddar together create an unbeatable cheese sauce.
Parmesan
Parmesan adds a touch of savory, salty flavor to mac and cheese. It also helps create a crust topping. Freshly grated Parmesan is best for maximum flavor impact.
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack is a melty cheese that brings creaminess and a mild flavor to mac and cheese. Pepper jack can be used for a spicy kick.
Gouda
Gouda is a Dutch cheese that pairs nicely with cheddar in mac and cheese thanks to its sweet, nutty flavor. Aged gouda works best as it becomes creamier and more complex.
Havarti
Havarti is a buttery, mild cheese that melts extremely smoothly. It makes for a velvety cheese sauce. Pair it with a strong, sharp cheese like cheddar for balance.
Brie
Soft, creamy brie provides a luxurious, indulgent quality to mac and cheese sauce. A little goes a long way due to its richness.
When making mac and cheese, experiment with a blend of these cheeses to create the ultimate cheesy flavor. Just remember to use good melting cheeses like cheddar, fontina and Gruyère as the base.
Additional Ingredients to Take Your Mac and Cheese to the Next Level
Mac and cheese is delicious in its simplest form, but there are many ways to enhance the flavor and take it over the top. Here are some tasty add-ins to try:
Mustard
Adding a bit of mustard (Dijon, yellow, stoneground) boosts the cheese flavor and adds tang.
hot sauce or chili powder
Spice it up with your favorite hot sauce or a sprinkle of chili powder.
Sauteed veggies
Onions, garlic, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach all taste great sauteed and added to mac and cheese.
Roasted red peppers
Chopped roasted red peppers lend sweetness, flavor, and color.
Caramelized onions
For maximum flavor, caramelize onions before mixing into mac and cheese.
Bread crumbs or crackers
Top mac and cheese with bread crumbs or crushed crackers for crunch.
Bacon
Crispy, crumbled bacon takes mac and cheese from great to incredible.
Panko
For an extra crispy topping, coat mac and cheese with panko bread crumbs before baking.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to personalizing this comfort food favorite. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make it your own!
Mac and Cheese Cooking Tips
Follow these tips for perfect, creamy mac and cheese every time:
– Use 1 pound of pasta and 5 cups of cheese sauce for a good ratio.
– Undercook the pasta slightly before mixing with cheese sauce since it cooks more in the oven.
– Thoroughly coat each piece of pasta with sauce for even distribution.
– Use evaporated milk or half and half for the creamiest sauce.
– Add seasonings gradually until flavor tastes just right.
– Top with extra cheese or breadcrumbs to help form a crust.
– Bake at 375°F for 20-30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
– Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving so cheese sauce thickens.
Classic Mac and Cheese Recipe
Now that you know all about the best pasta and cheese to use, try out this classic mac and cheese recipe at home. The combination of cheddar, Parmesan, and evaporated milk makes an exceptionally creamy sauce.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound elbow macaroni
– 3 tablespoons butter
– 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 1⁄4 teaspoon mustard powder
– 1⁄4 teaspoon paprika
– Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
– 3 cups whole milk
– 11⁄2 cups evaporated milk
– 21⁄2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
– 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
– 1⁄2 cup bread crumbs
– 2 tablespoons butter, melted
– Salt and pepper
Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions until slightly underdone. Drain and set aside.
3. In a saucepan, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour, mustard powder, paprika and cayenne until smooth.
4. Slowly whisk in whole milk and evaporated milk. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
5. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in 2 cups cheddar cheese and Parmesan until melted and smooth.
6. Add cooked macaroni and stir until coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Pour macaroni and cheese into prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 1⁄2 cup cheddar.
8. In a small bowl, mix bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over mac and cheese.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until hot, bubbly, and topping is lightly browned.
10. Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving.
Conclusion
Mac and cheese starts with choosing the right pasta – typically elbow macaroni or shell pasta. These shapes do the best job of holding the cheese sauce. Cheddar, Gruyère, fontina, Parmesan and other melty cheeses make for an unbeatable creamy cheese sauce. Spices, veggies, bacon and other add-ins can take mac and cheese to new levels of flavor. Follow basic cooking tips for mac and cheese success. With so many possible variations, you can customize this comfort food to suit your tastes. Now that you know what makes mac and cheese so cheesy and delicious, get cooking!