Mylegsbig
Head Chef
Hello there. Guys i am trying to make a creamy, delicious macaroni and cheese casserole. Let me explain my situation.
When i cook macaroni and cheese, i use the same method. I use about 12 ounces of pasta, make a roux with flour and butter, 4T of each, get it goin, then add in 3 cups of whole milk. This milk first i get warm, and to this milk i add a few crushed garlic cloves and half of a chopped yellow onion, and put it on burner on MEDLO for awhile to get it warm and infuse the flavors.
Okay so i got the roux going, then added in the milk, and i heat it for awhile on medium low until it gets a little thick. at this point i add in my seasonings, which are irrelevant, as this is not about taste, its about texture.
At this point i add some cheese. Normally about a pound of cheese, stir it around , get it hot and nice and creamy.
Okay - If i stop here, and say serve this with some Al Dente Sea Shells, everything comes out fantastic, with a creamy rich texture.
But the thing is, i want to make it into a casserole dish, so i like to add elbow macaroni instead of shells, (Because they will not fall apart)
And throw it into a casserole dish and bake it at 350 for 40 minutes.
Here is the problem - Anytime i try to bake it, the texture at the end is totally messed up. It is crispy on top, which is what i want, but on the inside it is clumpy and dryish. It is not creamy and delicious.
I know this is a poor food chain and their food is bland - But have you seen the Luby's Restaurant Macaroni and Cheese casserole? It has the crust on top, but maintains a delicious creamyness on the inside. I loved it as a kid.
I cannot make my casseroles come out this way. Always dry and clumpy in middle.
For cheeses, i have used many variations...here are the main ones
1 lb Velveete 8 oz sharp cheddar
1 lb Sharp Cheddar 8 oz Fontina
When i bake it, i always throw on a Cup of shredded cheddar on top, along with some romano and parmagiono reggiano.
How can i get a delicious creamy interior on my mac and cheese casseroles? What am i doing wrong?
Perhaps i should cook it, not bake it for 40 minutes, instead just put a layer of cheese on top and put it under the broiler?
Please give me some tips
PS - If i want to incorporate buttermilk into this recipe, at what point should i add it? Should i add it when i throw in the 3 cups of warm milk into the roux?
When i cook macaroni and cheese, i use the same method. I use about 12 ounces of pasta, make a roux with flour and butter, 4T of each, get it goin, then add in 3 cups of whole milk. This milk first i get warm, and to this milk i add a few crushed garlic cloves and half of a chopped yellow onion, and put it on burner on MEDLO for awhile to get it warm and infuse the flavors.
Okay so i got the roux going, then added in the milk, and i heat it for awhile on medium low until it gets a little thick. at this point i add in my seasonings, which are irrelevant, as this is not about taste, its about texture.
At this point i add some cheese. Normally about a pound of cheese, stir it around , get it hot and nice and creamy.
Okay - If i stop here, and say serve this with some Al Dente Sea Shells, everything comes out fantastic, with a creamy rich texture.
But the thing is, i want to make it into a casserole dish, so i like to add elbow macaroni instead of shells, (Because they will not fall apart)
And throw it into a casserole dish and bake it at 350 for 40 minutes.
Here is the problem - Anytime i try to bake it, the texture at the end is totally messed up. It is crispy on top, which is what i want, but on the inside it is clumpy and dryish. It is not creamy and delicious.
I know this is a poor food chain and their food is bland - But have you seen the Luby's Restaurant Macaroni and Cheese casserole? It has the crust on top, but maintains a delicious creamyness on the inside. I loved it as a kid.
I cannot make my casseroles come out this way. Always dry and clumpy in middle.
For cheeses, i have used many variations...here are the main ones
1 lb Velveete 8 oz sharp cheddar
1 lb Sharp Cheddar 8 oz Fontina
When i bake it, i always throw on a Cup of shredded cheddar on top, along with some romano and parmagiono reggiano.
How can i get a delicious creamy interior on my mac and cheese casseroles? What am i doing wrong?
Perhaps i should cook it, not bake it for 40 minutes, instead just put a layer of cheese on top and put it under the broiler?
Please give me some tips
PS - If i want to incorporate buttermilk into this recipe, at what point should i add it? Should i add it when i throw in the 3 cups of warm milk into the roux?