11. Bacon-Chipotle Make Classic Baked Mac and Cheese, reducing the cheddar in the sauce to 1 cup and replacing the gruyere with 2 cups chipotle cheddar; add 2 tablespoons chopped chipotles in adobo sauce and 8 slices crumbled cooked bacon. Top with the cheese and a mix of 1/2 cup panko and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika before baking.
12. Classic Stovetop Make Classic Baked Mac and Cheese, adding just enough of the reserved cooking water to make a thick sauce. Skip step 3.
13. French-Style Stovetop Make Classic Baked Mac and Cheese, cooking 2 chopped garlic cloves in the butter, replacing the cheddar in the sauce with 8 ounces brie (rind removed) and adding just enough of the reserved cooking water to make a thick sauce; stir 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard into the sauce. Skip step 3.
14. American Mac and Cheese
Kosher salt
8 ounces elbow macaroni or other small pasta
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon mustard powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups grated mild yellow cheddar cheese
1/4 cup diced processed cheese, such as Velveeta
Freshly ground black pepper
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat; whisk in the flour, mustard powder and cayenne and cook, whisking, 1 minute. Whisk in the evaporated milk and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thick, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cheeses, then the pasta and just enough of the reserved cooking water to make a thick sauce. Season with salt and black pepper.
15. Barbecue-Style Make American Mac and Cheese; stir in 1 cup warm prepared pulled pork. Sprinkle with crushed barbecue potato chips.
16. Hot Dog Make American Mac and Cheese, adding all of the reserved cooking water to make a loose sauce; add 4 sliced hot dogs. Transfer to a buttered baking dish and top with a mix of 1/4 cup cheddar, 2 tablespoons panko and a pinch of mustard powder; bake at 400 degrees F, 15 minutes.
17. Pimiento Make American Mac and Cheese, adding all of the reserved cooking water to make a loose sauce; add 1/2 cup pimientos and 1/4 cup sour cream. Transfer to a buttered baking dish; top with crushed butter crackers. Bake at 375 degrees F, 15 minutes.
18. Broccoli and Havarti Make American Mac and Cheese, adding 2 cups broccoli florets to the pasta during the last 3 minutes of cooking and replacing the cheddar with havarti.
19. Ham and Pea Make American Mac and Cheese, adding 1 cup frozen peas to the pasta during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Stir in 1 cup chopped ham.
20. Andouille Make American Mac and Cheese, adding 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning with the flour. Stir in 6 ounces browned diced andouille sausage, 1/3 cup chopped Peppadew peppers and 1 sliced scallion.
