Spicy Baked Macaroni

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

When I served this to my family, I was asked "What's it supposed to be?". Frankly, I wasn't sure. The TV demonstration easily showed there was too much macaroni in the recipe so I had cut the amount in half and, not wanting lumps of mozzarella, I shred the cheese. The whole thing, however, seemed like a dry hodge podge of flavors with nothing standing out. It was edible but I would not prepare it again.

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

Just made this, and the bf and I both LOVE it! We used fresh spinach instead of frozen and only 2 Tbsp of butter, although I think you can do with using only 1/2 Tbsp to grease the baking dish. You could also easily cut down the olive oil to 1 T to save on calories and fat. After reading the comments, I increased the amount of mozzarella (part-skim to 14 oz instead of 12 but still used the whole 1 lb of macaroni. It all just barely fit into the 9"x13" dish.

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

I made this for my boyfriend for dinner last night after I watched Giada make it, and it was DELICIOUS. My boyfriend said he wanted some sort of meat in it, so I added half a pound of ground turkey. I added a little bit extra cheese and extra red pepper flake (about a whole teaspoon as opposed to 1/4 to compensate for adding the turkey, and it was great. We had A TON left over (I didn't realize the recipe was for 8-10 people until after I made it...whoopsies! so I froze it so my boyfriend can have dinners for the next couple weeks with it. I will definitely be making it again the next time we have company!

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

This weekend was family reunion and I had 16 big eaters for dinner. I saw Giada make this macaroni and thought it would be great with grilled chicken for an easy entertaining dish. It is fabulous!! Based on the comments of how much this made, I was prepared to make one casserole. My cousin could not believe that I was planning to feed 16 people with a single pound of macaroni. So at his urging, I proceeded to double it. But I didn't have double the ingredients straight down the line so a few minor modifications were made. On the advice of several reveiwers, I was planning to use two cans of tomatoes but I had only two cans of diced tomatoes. With the doubling, I needed four! Well, I did have two more cans of stewed tomtoes, both of which I pureed and adding them was great! The peppers & onions in the stewed tomatoes blended well with the recipe. Then, I also planned on increasing the mozzarella to 16 oz. but, you guessed it, didn't have double that either! I did have a pound of provolone so I added that and it worked marvelously. Anyway, I had two huge casseroles of macaroni and the dish was a big hit with everyone. But, let me reiterate what other reviewers said, a single recipe will feed a crowd! 16 big eaters did not touch that second dish. This a.m. my son packed the entire thing up to take back to his apartment and he was thrilled to have it all to himself. This will become a family standard! Thanks so much,
Giada, for a great, healthy, easy, and delicious casserole!!

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

Dear Giada,
I watched yesterday as you prepared this excellant dish. My family has been a big fan of Macaroni and Cheese (with a crust! for over 30+ years. My eldest son took my basic recipe and ran with it almost 20 years ago. We now consider his recipe the best in our family. As I watched you make this recipe I was delighted, to say the least. We now have a grandchild who will be spending time with Grams and Grandpa soon. This is such a very healthy recipe. I will not have any problem in preparing it and serving it to him when he visits.
I want to thank you for this very good and very healthy recipe in advance of many wonderful family meals at our home. Thank you and thank you, again.
P.S. I try to watch your show at leat two or three times a week...you are a big favorite.
I am a little old lady from far northern California (way out in the boondocks near Mt. Shasta and a gardener of wildflowers and things for hummers, butterfllies, and bees.
Racella S.


I

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

This is one of the best baked pasta dishes I have made. Being that this is not macaroni and cheese, it is definitely not supposed to be as creamy as mac and cheese.......leave that to processed, boxed Kraft and cheese. The bread crumb and cheese combo was flaky and crispy, while the pasta was moist and delicious......not to mention the delicious flavor of caramelized onion, garlic and veggies and the overall spicy-ness for kick. I absolutely loved it!

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

Very good dish. A great twist on some of my favorites. My guests were surprised by the flavor that baked "macaroni" could have. Needs a little more cheese and tomato or maybe just a little less pasta.

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

This dish has potential but needs tweaking, especially if you like a creamy mac & cheese. First, this recipe makes a lot so unless you plan to have this dish as a main course or have LOTS of people over, I would cut the recipe in half. It comes out dry and not very cheesy or gooey at all. I think if you just halve the macaroni amount and keep the rest of the ingredients the same, that would make it come out creamier and also cut down the size of this dish.

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

I have read the reviews from others about the dryness but actually had made the recipe before reading and I also added more mozzeralla cheese because I like a more creamier macaroni and cheese. I loved it. I was afraid my husband would not because he doesn't like to try new things but he loves it. Now, everybody at his jobs ask him to have me make some for lunch. A sure winner. The kids love it, even my picky 3 year old.

Flag

Flag This Review?

You must provide a reason for flagging this review.

Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.

• Submit

or Cancel

This is a great recipe! I did not use all of the macaroni and added two cans of fire roasted tomatoes.