Ruth's Diner - Gramma Claire's Macaroni and Cheese

Show: Diners, Drive-ins and DivesEpisode: Places You Sent Me

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (22)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(22)

Cook Time:
45 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 40 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 45 min
Total:: 1 hr 25 min

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Ingredients

Recipe courtesy Erik Nelson, chef and owner at Ruth's Diner in Salt Lake City, UT
3 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
1 cup diced onion
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups grated Cheddar
2 1/2 cups grated Monterey jack
1 cup cottage cheese

For the topping:

1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup bread crumbs

Directions

Cook macaroni, drain do not rinse.

In a large saute pan, saute the onions in butter. Add the flour to make a roux and cook for 1 minute. Add the milk, bay leaves, paprika, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, stirring often. Mix the 2 cheeses together in a small bowl. Once the mixture is at a simmer, add 3 cups of cheese mixture and the cottage cheese. Stir well, remove from heat, and remove bay leaves from mixture. Add macaroni noodles to milk mixture, mix well.

Pour 1/2 of macaroni mixture into a 2-quart baking dish, cover with 1/2 of the remaining grated cheese, add remaining macaroni mixture and cover with the remaining grated cheese mixture.

In small bowl mix together the topping ingredients and top the macaroni. Place into the oven and bake until golden brown, about 45 minutes.

This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Ruth's Diner - Gramma Claire's Macaroni and Cheese
christine columbus, OH 02-02-2010
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Fantastic!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe has received rave reviews from my co-workers and friends! I do alter the recipe a little, I cut the onion down... to 1/2 cup and omit the salt. Another recommendation is to use a crock pot instead of putting it in the oven. It seems to dry out a little in the oven and the crock pot it is much creamier! Read more
recipe Ruth's Diner - Gramma Claire's Macaroni and Cheese
Jeannine Clearfield, UT 12-08-2009
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Just like the real thing!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

We have been going to Ruth's Diner for years and I finally made this at home. This recipe is just like the real thing! So... good and rich, and calorie free of course! HA! Read more
recipe Ruth's Diner - Gramma Claire's Macaroni and Cheese
CW Bolingbrook, IL 11-26-2009
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great recipe
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

To reduce saltiness, don't add salt when cooking macaroni, use unsalted butter, and cut salt in half to 1 tsp. The cheese... adds enough. It does appear very soupy when mixed but it cooks down in the oven. Read more
recipe Ruth's Diner - Gramma Claire's Macaroni and Cheese
Julianne Lake Arrowhead, CA 11-15-2009
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OMG!!!!!! Soooo Good!!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Just made this for dinner and it turned out amazingly!!!! The sauted onions add the the most amazing oomph! Yes, cut down the... salt. I used a half pint of heavy cream and eyeballed the milk(2%) . But, I do live at 5500' ! In the topping I added Johnny's Garlic Spread mixture... YUMMMMMM!!!!!!!! Read more
recipe Ruth's Diner - Gramma Claire's Macaroni and Cheese
sissy san diego, CA 08-24-2009
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add more bread crumbs!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I loved this recipe but found I needed to last minute add more topping! I used crispix cereal instead of breadcrumbs. It... worked perfectly. Also, I left out the onions and basil. My husband is so picky! I am from SLC, Utah and live near Ruth's Diner. This recipe is pretty damn close to the real deal! Read more
recipe Ruth's Diner - Gramma Claire's Macaroni and Cheese
Janelle Denver, CO 08-22-2009
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Very good mac & cheese
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I had to make a dish for a luncheon after a funeral, and what better comfort food is there but mac & cheese? I chose thie... recipe because it comes from my place of birth - Salt Lake City. I followed the recipe exactly, except for cutting the salt in half. Oh, I did add one teaspoon of dry mustard, and a few dashes of chili powder. This mac & cheese has a smokey and warm flavor from the paprika. I will definitely make this again.Read more