10 Soul Food Mac & Cheese Recipes You Must Try!"

 1. Spicy Creamy Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese (shredded)
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large pot, heat heavy cream and milk over medium heat. Gradually whisk in cheeses until melted and smooth.
4. Stir in cayenne, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Combine cheese sauce with cooked macaroni. Pour into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
6. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.

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2. Three-Cheese Pepper Macaroni Bake

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
• ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni to al dente, drain, and set aside.
2. In a large pot, heat heavy cream and gradually add cheeses, stirring until melted.
3. Mix red pepper flakes and black pepper into the cheese sauce.
4. Combine sauce with macaroni and pour into a greased baking dish.
5. Top with Italian bread crumbs. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until golden brown.

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3. Cream of Mushroom Mac & Cheese Casserole

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook macaroni, drain, and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, combine cream of mushroom soup, cream cheese, and cheddar over medium heat until melted.
4. Add smoked paprika and cayenne. Mix thoroughly.
5. Combine cheese mixture with macaroni and pour into a greased baking dish.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbling.

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4. Southern-Style Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
• 2 cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni, drain, and set aside.
2. Heat milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cheeses until smooth.
3. Add garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
4. Combine cheese sauce with macaroni and pour into a greased baking dish.
5. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until golden and bubbly.

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5. Spicy Red Pepper & Sausage Macaroni

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 lb Italian sausage (cooked and crumbled)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 2 cups pepper jack cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook macaroni, drain, and set aside.
2. In a skillet, sauté diced red bell pepper. Add cooked sausage.
3. Combine sausage mixture, cheeses, and cream of mushroom soup. Mix in cayenne.
4. Pour into a baking dish and bake for 25 minutes until hot and bubbly.

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6. Crispy Cajun Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups pepper jack cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 cup Italian bread crumbs

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni, drain, and set aside.
2. Heat milk and stir in cheeses, Cajun seasoning, and cayenne pepper.
3. Combine sauce with macaroni and pour into a baking dish.
4. Top with bread crumbs and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.

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7. Soul Food Lobster Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 cup lobster meat (cooked and chopped)
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook macaroni and drain.
2. In a pot, heat milk and melt cheeses. Stir in smoked paprika and cayenne.
3. Add lobster meat to the cheese sauce. Combine with macaroni.
4. Pour into a greased baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.

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8. Jalapeño Cheddar Macaroni

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 jalapeños (diced)
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese (shredded)
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni, drain, and set aside.
2. Sauté jalapeños in a skillet until softened.
3. In a pot, heat milk and stir in cheeses and cayenne.
4. Add jalapeños to the cheese sauce. Combine with macaroni.
5. Pour into a baking dish and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.

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9. Italian-Inspired Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni, drain, and set aside.
2. Heat milk in a pot and melt the cheese. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
3. Combine sauce with macaroni and pour into a baking dish.
4. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.

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10. Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
• ½ cup hot sauce
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese (shredded)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook macaroni and drain.
2. Combine chicken, hot sauce, and cream of mushroom soup in a pot. Stir in cheeses.
3. Mix sauce with macaroni and pour into a baking dish.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbling.

"Thawing Your Turkey Right: Avoid These Thanksgiving Mistakes!"

The time it takes to thaw a Thanksgiving turkey depends on its size and the method you use. Here are the two safest methods:

1. Refrigerator Thawing (Recommended Method)

This method requires planning but is the safest and most reliable way to thaw a turkey. It takes:

• 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of turkey in a refrigerator set to 40°F (4°C) or below.

Thawing Times by Weight:

• 4 to 12 pounds:   1 to 3 days
• 12 to 16 pounds: 3 to 4 days
• 16 to 20 pounds: 4 to 5 days
• 20 to 24 pounds: 5 to 6 days

Once thawed, the turkey can stay in the fridge for 1-2 days before cooking.

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2. Cold Water Thawing (Faster Method)

This method is faster but requires more attention.

• Submerge the turkey in cold water (breast side down, fully wrapped or in a leak-proof bag).
• Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold.
• Allow 30 minutes per pound for thawing.

Thawing Times by Weight:

• 4 to 12 pounds:   2 to 6 hours
• 12 to 16 pounds: 6 to 8 hours
• 16 to 20 pounds: 8 to 10 hours
• 20 to 24 pounds: 10 to 12 hours

Cook the turkey immediately after thawing this way.

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DO NOT thaw a turkey at room temperature, as this can lead to bacterial growth.

Create Adorable Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies for Your Holiday Table"

 

"Get ready for a fun, holiday-themed baking project with these adorable Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies! Perfect for entertaining kids and bringing festive cheer to your dessert table, this recipe uses Pillsbury™ Sugar Cookie Dough, chocolate frosting, candy corn, and M&M's® Minis™ to create cute turkey-shaped treats. Topped off with orange icing and black decorating gel for details, these cookies are as delightful to make as they are to eat. Easy, creative, and irresistibly tasty – these turkey cookies will be the star of your Thanksgiving celebration. Try them now and make your holiday even more memorable!"

Ingredients: 

• 1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Sugar Cookie Dough or 1 package (16 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Ready To Bake!™ Sugar Cookie Dough (24 Count)

• 2/3 cup chocolate creamy frosting (from 16 oz container)

• Candy corn Orange decorating icing

• M&M's® Minis™

• Chocolate candy

• Black decorating gel

Cooking Instructions:

1. Bake cookies according to the instructions on the roll or package and let them cool completely (about 15 minutes).

2. Spoon chocolate frosting into a 1-quart freezer storage bag and seal it. Cut a tiny corner off the bottom of the bag to create a piping tool.

3. Pipe the chocolate frosting onto each cookie in a circular pattern, leaving room at the bottom for the turkey's face and details.

4. Attach candy corn to the top of the cookie for feathers using the chocolate frosting.

5. Use orange icing to attach M&M's® Minis™ for eyes and pipe additional orange icing to create the beak and feet.

6. Pipe black decorating gel on the M&M's® to form the centers of the eyes.

Create these charming cookies for a fun and tasty addition to yo