Recipe: Big-Hearted Macaroni & Cheese with Artichokes (2024)

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Faith Durand

Faith DurandSVP of Content

Faith is the SVP of Content at Apartment Therapy Media and former Editor-in-Chief of The Kitchn. She is the author of three cookbooks, including the James Beard Award-winning The Kitchn Cookbook. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and two daughters.

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updated Jan 29, 2020

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Recipe: Big-Hearted Macaroni & Cheese with Artichokes (1)

Serves6 to 8

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Recipe: Big-Hearted Macaroni & Cheese with Artichokes (2)

Where would Casserole Week be without a good mac ‘n’ cheese recipe? Here is the third winner in this week’s

Best Healthy Casseroles

The secret ingredient? It’s straightforward: Tofu! Yes, tofu goes into this mac and cheese, but no one will ever guess. I served it to a big crowd of people and didn’t tell anyone that there was tofu involved until later. They all said that they never would have guessed something was different about this mac and cheese! The tofu reads as ricotta or small bits of cheese. It adds some protein and creaminess, which means that you can cut the regular cheese in this casserole down to just a few ounces.

Why I chose Leslie’s casserole
I love gooey, cheesy casseroles, but I am also always looking for ways to lighten them up a bit. I found that using alternative dairy products like low-fat yogurt not only gave me a lighter casserole, but one that actually tasted better and more interesting, too. So I was really drawn to Leslie’s recipe because it used tofu to give that creaminess — I have a vegan stuffed shells recipe that uses tofu instead of ricotta, and I love the taste and texture!

I also really loved Leslie’s addition of artichoke hearts, although I adjusted the recipe to call for frozen artichoke hearts instead of jarred and marinated hearts. (I think the frozen artichoke hearts have a much better texture.) The smoked paprika put it over the top. Smoked paprika is one of those magic casserole ingredients — it makes everything a little yummier.

Leslie’s Notes

What makes this recipe so great?
This recipe has something for everyone. Kids love it for its cheesy goodness and crunchy top. Adults love it for its slightly more sophisticated taste. This recipe can be varied to taste — we sometimes substitute sun-dried tomatoes or sausage for the artichoke hearts.

What makes this casserole health(ier)?
The tofu allows this mac and cheese to be very creamy. That means we can cut down on the cheese and get away with using low-fat milk.

Comments

Serves 6 to 8

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces

    frozen artichoke hearts

  • 1 pound

    elbow macaroni or small shells

  • 8 ounces

    silken tofu

  • 2 1/2 cups

    skim milk

  • 2 tablespoons

    Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon

    smoked paprika

  • 1 teaspoon

    salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 teaspoons

    cornstarch

  • 6 ounces

    white cheddar cheese, shredded

  • 1/2 cup

    bread crumbs or panko

  • 2 ounces

    Parmesan cheese, grated

  • Olive oil

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil. Place the frozen artichoke hearts in a colander and run cold water over them for a few moments. Remove from the colander and set aside.

  2. Heat a 4-quart pot of salted water to boiling and add the pasta. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package specifies, to just barely al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the pasta from cooking. Return to the cooking pot.

  3. Cut each artichoke heart into several bite-sized pieces and stir into the cooked pasta.

  4. Place a 10-inch deep skillet or wide saucepan over medium heat. Place the tofu in the pan, and mash it thoroughly with a fork or whisk. Whisk in the milk, mustard, salt, paprika and pepper. Warm the mix until bubbles form around the edges, then whisk in the cornstarch and shredded cheese. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens just slightly. As it heats, it will appear somewhat lumpy. This is fine; just whisk occasionally as you stir.

  5. When the mixture has thickened slightly, turn off the heat and pour it into the pot with the macaroni and artichokes. Stir thoroughly, and taste for seasoning. If necessary, stir in a little extra salt and pepper, then spread in the prepared baking dish.

  6. Mix the bread crumbs and Parmesan and sprinkle over the pasta. Drizzle lightly with olive oil. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on top. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Best Healthy Casseroles Reader Recipe Contest

Winners receive:
• A copy of Faith’s new book: Not Your Mother’s Casseroles (Harvard Common Press, January 2011)
• A new casserole baker from Emile Henry’s Urban line

(Images: Faith Durand)

Filed in:

Casserole

Healthy Living

Ingredient

italian

Main Dish

pasta

Recipe: Big-Hearted Macaroni & Cheese with Artichokes (2024)

FAQs

What to add to mac and cheese to make it better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

How to make mac and cheese Gordon Ramsay? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. Bring the milk to a simmer and cook until the pasta is tender, 8–10 minutes. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until fully combined.

How to spice up Kraft macaroni and cheese? ›

Here are a few of my favorite ways to upgrade boxed mac and cheese in three ingredients or fewer:
  1. Broccoli + Shredded Chicken. ...
  2. Bacon + Peas + Egg. ...
  3. Garlic + Pickled Jalapeños. ...
  4. Mushrooms + Thyme + Grated Gruyère. ...
  5. Pesto + Sun-Dried Tomatoes. ...
  6. Kimchi + Bacon + Chopped Scallions. ...
  7. Cherry Tomatoes + Basil + Mozzarella.

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

Here's what several experts say are the biggest mistakes when it comes to making macaroni and cheese at home and how to avoid making them.
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt. ...
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. ...
  4. Overcooking. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

What is the most perfect cheese to use on mac & cheese? ›

Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What makes mac and cheese taste good? ›

Adding cold butter to the sauce and baking the mac in the oven helps with both texture and flavor. Incorporating things like real cheese, bacon, or leftover veggies can turn boxed mac and cheese into a full meal.

Why do you add flour to homemade mac and cheese? ›

We'll need to make a roux (pronounced “roo”) to make the cheese sauce. It's a mixture of equal parts flour and butter (equal in weight, not volume). The roux will help thicken our milk and make our sauce creamy.

What meat goes best with mac and cheese? ›

Popular choices are bacon, ground beef, shredded chicken, cooked sausage or pulled pork, which add a savory depth to the dish. Is mac and cheese for dinner? Absolutely! Mac and cheese can be a satisfying main dish, especially when paired with sides like a protein or a salad.

What macaroni is best for mac and cheese? ›

Elbow macaroni yields perfect-sized bites and is great with almost any variation on the mac and cheese theme.” Christensen also said the short length and hollow center of elbow macaroni work especially well.

What is mac and cheese called mac and cheese? ›

Macaroni and cheese (also known as mac and cheese in Canada and the United States and macaroni cheese in the United Kingdom) is a dish of macaroni and a cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce. Macaroni and cheese. Alternative names. Mac and cheese.

What can I add to homemade mac and cheese to give it more flavor? ›

Dry mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper: Mac and cheese is all about the cheese, after all, so I chose this combination of seasonings to really enhance and highlight the cheddar. Dry mustard powder has a sharp flavor that pairs so well with the cheese, and smoked paprika lends an irresistibly smoky note.

What president made mac and cheese? ›

James Hemings: The Enslaved Chef of Thomas Jefferson Who Created Mac and Cheese.

What can you substitute for butter in macaroni and cheese? ›

Using olive oil instead of butter in mac and cheese is a simple and healthy way to enjoy this classic dish. By choosing the right type of olive oil, making a roux, and adding flavor and toppings, you can create a creamy and delicious mac and cheese that's lower in saturated fat and calories.

What can I add to bland mac and cheese? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce.

How do you increase the flavor of macaroni and cheese? ›

Sprinkle in some spices or sauces

Choose your own zesty adventure by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, dry mustard powder, garlic powder, mushroom powder, or even a dash of hot sauce.

What adds Flavour to mac and cheese? ›

Cayenne, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, and Dry Mustard

Simply add ½ teaspoons of cayenne, black pepper, and dry mustard with a dash of nutmeg to a mixture of 1 egg and 1 cup (0.24 l) of heavy cream. Pour this spice mixture on top of your traditional mac and cheese recipe before baking.

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