Logan Hayes
Mac and cheese for breakfast may seem unconventional, but it is a hearty and indulgent meal to start your day. It is a great way to use up leftover pasta, and you can add a variety of breakfast foods such as eggs, bacon, sausage, and vegetables to make it a well-rounded morning meal. The key to a good breakfast mac and cheese is in the cheese sauce, which should be a blend of different cheeses that melt and stretch to create a gooey, creamy texture. You can bake it in the oven or make it on the stovetop, and there are many ways to customise it to your taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | Macaroni, Cheese, Eggs |
| Other Ingredients | Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Breadcrumbs, Vegetables (onions, peppers, tomatoes), Butter, Milk, Flour, Spices |
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Recipe Variations | Baked Mac and Cheese with Eggs, Fried Mac and Cheese with Eggs, Mac and Cheese with Hollandaise Sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Mac and cheese with baked eggs
Ingredients
- Eggs
- Evaporated milk
- Butter
- Sour cream
- Cheese (cheddar, Colby-Jack, sharp cheddar, gouda, Swiss, mozzarella, gruyere, or Velveeta)
- Elbow macaroni
- Bacon
- Tomatoes
- Salt
- Pepper
- Basil
Method
- Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a separate pan, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain the excess grease and chop the bacon into small pieces. Set aside.
- Cut the tomatoes in half and toss with extra virgin olive oil, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a roasting pan and bake for 20 minutes. Set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together whole milk, evaporated milk, eggs, salt, pepper, and sugar until well combined.
- In a large baking dish, mix the cooked macaroni, butter, sour cream, and cheeses.
- Pour the milk and egg mixture over the macaroni and stir well to combine.
- Top with more grated cheese and bake for 35-40 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and use a spoon to create small wells in the macaroni mixture.
- Carefully crack an egg into each well and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for an additional 8-13 minutes, depending on your preference for runny or set yolks.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips
- For a crispy topping, add buttered panko breadcrumbs before baking.
- If you prefer a firmer texture, separate the egg whites and yolks, baking the whites first and adding the yolks for the final few minutes of baking.
- You can also add other ingredients like vegetables, ham, or sausage to customize the dish to your taste.
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Mac and cheese with bacon, roasted tomatoes, and eggs
Ingredients
- Bacon
- Tomatoes
- Eggs
- Elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Basil
- Salt and pepper
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Parsley or other fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
Method
Start by roasting the tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes in half and toss them with olive oil, dried basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread them on a roasting pan and bake for 20 minutes. Set them aside.
Next, cook the bacon. Line a baking tray with foil and place a metal rack on top. Lay the bacon strips on the rack and bake until golden-brown and crispy, which should take about 20 minutes. Drain the excess grease by placing the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. Then, chop the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
While the tomatoes and bacon are cooking, prepare the pasta. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add salt, and then add the pasta. Undercook the pasta by about 1 minute less than the package instructions. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
Now, make the cheese sauce. In a separate pan, melt butter and slowly add flour, whisking continuously until a smooth paste forms. Slowly add milk, continuing to whisk until smooth. Cook the mixture until it comes to a low boil and thickens, whisking frequently. Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper, and paprika to taste.
Add the cheese to the flour/milk mixture, starting with half of the total amount of cheese you plan to use. Stir until smooth, then add the onions, peppers, and ham (if desired), followed by the cooked pasta, and mix until combined.
At this point, you can mix in the roasted tomatoes and most of the cooked bacon, reserving some bacon to sprinkle on top. Transfer the mac and cheese to a cast iron skillet or baking pan. Top with the remaining cheese and sprinkle the reserved bacon and buttered panko breadcrumbs on top.
Bake the mac and cheese for about 7 minutes. While it's baking, separate the egg whites and yolks, keeping the yolks in a bowl of water. Remove the mac and cheese from the oven and use a spoon to create wells in the mixture. If you want to bake the egg whites and yolks separately, fill each well with an egg white, then bake for 8-10 minutes until the whites are almost set. Remove from the oven and add an egg yolk to each well, baking for an additional 3-5 minutes. If you don't mind your yolks well done, you can also add the whole egg to each well and bake for about 13 minutes.
Finally, remove the mac and cheese from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy!
This recipe combines the savory flavors of bacon and roasted tomatoes with the creamy, cheesy goodness of mac and cheese, all brought together with a crispy, golden crust. It's a delicious and indulgent breakfast option!
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Mac and cheese with sausage chunks, frozen peas, or peppers
Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit your taste preferences. Here is a recipe for a hearty breakfast mac and cheese with sausage chunks, frozen peas, or peppers. This recipe uses a one-pan method and takes about 30 minutes to prepare and cook.
Ingredients:
- Sausage (mild, country-style, or breakfast sausage)
- Frozen peas (or bell peppers)
- Elbow macaroni
- Marinara sauce
- Water
- Milk
- Heavy cream or whipping cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese (or any cheese of your choice)
- Butter
- Breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Ingredients:
- Onion
- Mushrooms
- Mixed vegetables (carrots, etc.)
Instructions:
- Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until the meat is browned.
- Drain the excess fat, leaving a small amount if you want to use it instead of butter for the sauce.
- Add the diced bell peppers (or frozen peas) and cook for a few minutes.
- Add the dried elbow macaroni, marinara sauce, and water. Stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is tender.
- Add milk and heavy cream (or whipping cream) to make a creamy sauce.
- Mix in the cheese and stir until melted and well combined.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- For an extra crispy topping, melt butter in a separate pan and mix with breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture over the mac and cheese.
- If you want to add an egg, create a well in the centre of the mac and cheese and crack an egg into it. Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the egg is cooked to your liking.
Feel free to adjust the ingredients and cooking instructions to suit your preferences. Enjoy your breakfast mac and cheese!
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Mac and cheese with ham, onions, and evaporated milk
Ingredients:
- Evaporated milk
- Ham
- Onions
- Cheese
- Butter
- Breadcrumbs
- Elbow macaroni
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Creole seasoning
- Cayenne pepper
Method:
First, preheat your oven to 350-375°F. Next, bring a large pot of water to a boil, adding salt to taste. Then, add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, being careful not to overcook. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
In a separate pan, melt butter and saute onions until translucent. Remove the onions from the pan and set them aside. In the same pan, create a roux by melting more butter and whisking in flour until smooth. Slowly add in the evaporated milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens, then add in your seasonings and a dash of half-and-half.
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted. Mix in the cooked ham and onions, and combine with the cooked pasta. Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish and top with more cheese and buttered breadcrumbs for extra crispiness.
Bake in the oven for 10-20 minutes, until the topping is golden and crispy. For an extra indulgent touch, create small wells in the mac and cheese and add egg whites and yolks, baking for a further few minutes.
Tips:
- Feel free to add other vegetables, such as peppers, or even meat, like bacon or sausage, to customize your mac and cheese.
- If you prefer a gluten-free option, simply skip the flour and use heavy cream instead of milk.
- For a more decadent sauce, use half cream and half whole milk, or even try a combination of milk and cream.
- You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as Swiss cheese, Gruyere, or Monterey Jack.
Enjoy your breakfast mac and cheese!
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Mac and cheese with hollandaise, tater tots, and eggs
This indulgent breakfast recipe is inspired by the flavours of eggs benedict, with a delicious combination of buttery toast, tater tots, ham, eggs, and hollandaise sauce. The creamy pasta is topped with fried eggs, crispy tater tots, and a generous drizzle of hollandaise, making it a perfect brunch option for a lazy day.
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Ham
- Onions
- Pasta (elbow macaroni, cavatappi, or any preferred shape)
- Corn starch
- Milk
- Cheese (cheddar, cream cheese, or any preferred variety)
- Mustard
- Lemon
- Hot sauce
- Bread
- Eggs
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Fresh herbs (optional)
Method:
- Melt butter in a large frying pan and add the ham and onions. Sauté for about 8 minutes until the onions are softened.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Whisk corn starch into the milk until fully combined, then pour it into the pan with the pasta. Stir and bring to a simmer as it thickens.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the cheeses, stirring until they are mostly melted.
- Strain the pasta and reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid. Add the pasta to the sauce and stir to combine, thinning the sauce with the reserved liquid if needed.
- Fry the eggs, toast the bread, and prepare the tater tots according to the package instructions, baking them slightly higher for extra crispness.
- Cut the toast into smaller points.
- To assemble, place the mac and cheese in a bowl, topping it with the fried eggs, toast points, and crispy tater tots.
- Prepare the hollandaise sauce by whisking together yolks, mustard, lemon, hot sauce and salt in a bowl. Slowly whisk in super hot butter until a creamy sauce forms.
- Drizzle the hollandaise sauce over the entire dish, adding any preferred fresh herbs as a garnish.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the ultimate comfort food!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is your choice to eat whatever you like for breakfast. In fact, mac and cheese can be a hearty start to your day and a smart way to use up leftover pasta.
Here is a simple recipe: saute onions, peppers, and ham in butter until the onions are translucent. In the same pan, make a sauce by melting butter and slowly adding flour while whisking. Slowly add milk and whisk until smooth. Add salt, pepper, paprika, and cheese to the sauce, and mix in the onions, peppers, and ham. Boil pasta and add it to the sauce. You can top it with chopped chives.
You can add eggs, bacon, sausage, tater tots, hollandaise, or vegetables like peppers, frozen peas, or fresh herbs like parsley or chives.
