Description
Discover how to make creamy, crispy macaroni cheese in your air fryer. Follow our easy step-by-step guide for a quick, delicious meal that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 5 cup (600 ml) s elb ow macaroni
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) s vegetable oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) flour
- 5 cup (360 ml) s milk
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) crumbled cooked beef
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried Italian herbs
- 25 cup (60 ml) grated sharp Cheddar cheese
- 25 cup (60 ml) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 25 grated Colb y-Monterey Jack cheese
- 25 cup (60 ml) ricotta cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) s Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
- Olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook, stirring now and then, until it is nearly al dente, roughly 6 minutes. Drain the pasta.
- While the pasta cooks, heat vegetable oil in a small cast iron skillet that fits your air fryer over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until it releases its aroma, about 1 minute. Incorporate the flour, stirring until it becomes golden, forming a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk and let it simmer until it thickens, around 5 minutes.
- Mix in the crumbled cooked beef and dried Italian herbs. Add the Cheddar, Parmesan, Colby-Monterey Jack, and ricotta cheeses, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir until the cheeses are fully melted, about 3 minutes.
- Set your air fryer to 390 degrees F (195 degrees C) and let it preheat.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese mixture, ensuring even coverage, then sprinkle the Italian-seasoned bread crumbs on top. Lightly spray with olive oil and press down gently to keep the crumbs in place.
- Cook in the air fryer until the surface is golden and the cheese bubbles at the edges of the skillet, approximately 15 minutes.
Notes
- Watch the garlic closely while sautéing to avoid burning, which can cause bitterness.
- Gradually whisk the milk into the roux to ensure a lump-free, creamy sauce.
- Toast Italian-seasoned bread crumbs before adding them for enhanced flavor.