Ovenless, Easy, Cheesy Macaroni Recipe

Xeng is a researcher at the University of the Philippines where she is working on a dissertation for her Masters in Communication.

Well, technically, this isn't a baked mac, right? But this tastes almost the same! It's creamy and meaty without the burnt edges from baking it in an oven.

I have been a fan of baked macaroni for a long time, and it's always been a battle for me whenever I need to pick between baked mac or lasagna. (Though I think I'm learning to love lasagna more. Mmmm, beeeef.) When I was in college, I always ate at this canteen or cafeteria near my building and always ordered baked mac with some Nescafe freeze (which they don't serve anymore, bummer). Anyway, I always thought the cheesy delight tasted nice, and I thought it might be easy to make. After all, it's just some macaroni with maybe some Filipino-style spaghetti sauce and some melted cheese on top. The sauce is our family's own, and the cheese/white sauce recipe is from a family friend. Read on below to learn how to make your own no-bake baked macaroni!

Cook Time

Ingredients

• 1 jar sweet style spaghetti sauce
• garlic cloves, minced
• onions, minced
• 1 kilo ground beef
• 1 large pack quickmelt/cheddar/mozzarella cheese
• 2 cans evaporated milk
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 kilo hotdogs or sausages
• 2 cups button mushrooms
• 1 kilo elbow macaroni, cooked
• canola oil
• 1/2 cup tomato paste

Instructions

1. Cook macaroni in a pot full of boiling water til it's al dente. Use a strainer to remove excess water and run under tap. Set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, saute garlic and onions in medium heat. Add in the beef and keep stirring for a few minutes til it changes color.
3. Add the hotdogs/sausages as well as the button mushrooms. Saute til the hotdogs are half cooked.
4. Add the spaghetti sauce. If using tomato sauce, add extra water and let boil.
5. Add in the tomato paste. Add 1 cup of water and let boil for about 10 minutes.
6. Pour 1/2 cup of milk on the sauce and let boil for a few minutes while continuously stirring.
7. Add a dash of salt and pepper to your liking.
8. Remove pan from heat and mix sauce with the pasta in a large baking dish. Set aside.
9. For the cheese sauce: Put the whole pack of quickmelt cheese and the remaining milk in a sauce pan over low heat to ensure that it doesn't burn.
10. Stir continuously until there is no more solid cheese left and until the mixture is really thick.
11. Pour cheese sauce all over the macaroni and red sauce mixture. Place under a turbo griller if you really want it baked but I really like this as it is already.

Your no-bake, baked macaroni is ready to be served. Enjoy eating this with your family!

Comments

Edwin B Lowry from PA on October 19, 2016:

Nice recipe, I like cheesy food! :)

marissa on April 20, 2015:

it taste good..

ilovebakedmac on April 20, 2015:

it looks yummy..i want to try bakesmac without baking it..

u can also add all purpose cream in the white sauce of bakedmac..

evaporated milk and all purpose cream

its more yummy and creamy..

peachy from Home Sweet Home on August 10, 2014:

clever idea! I always thought of using the oven

Xeng (author) from Philippines on May 28, 2014:

Well this recipe doesn't make use of those kinds of cheeses. Instead it uses bechamel or white sauce which is made up of cream and milk and cheese. You can probably put the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top, right after pouring the bechamel sauce, white it's still hot so your mozzarella would melt. Good luck!

aicez on May 13, 2014:

When you will put the cheddar n mozerella?

Xeng (author) from Philippines on July 13, 2013:

Needed a change of scenery. ;) Thanks for dropping by, Kathryn. :)

Kathryn from Windsor, Connecticut on July 13, 2013:

I noticed, and I also see you have a real photo in your profile photo :) I like that!

Xeng (author) from Philippines on July 13, 2013:

thanks kathryn! haven't hubbed in a while but i'm back now. :) have a great weekend!

Kathryn from Windsor, Connecticut on July 13, 2013:

This looks delicious! I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

~ Kathryn

Xeng (author) from Philippines on July 13, 2013:

thanks peachpurple. it also saves you from worrying about burnt edges and cheese.

peachy from Home Sweet Home on July 13, 2013:

No bake Mac sounds yummy and healthy. easy to prepare and looks delicious too. Voted up