Expert: Teri Davis Newman - 3/26/2009

Question
I need a recipe for mac and cheese for 200 people. An easy recipe that would not require baking in an oven or if so, limited time. What is a good book to purchase with down home recipes for large groups for a beginning caterer?

Answer
There are no books with large scale recipes as caterers make their own. Large scale recipes are just simple mathematics used to increase regular recipes. Are you really planning to serve macaroni and cheese at a WEDDING? You could dress it up a bit--fettucine Alfredo is really just dressed up mac and cheese.  Here's the best recipe in the world for mac and cheese:
1 tbls vegetable oil
1 lb elbow macaroni
8 tbls (1 stick) plus 1 tbls butter
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Muenster cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mild Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup (8 ounces) Velveeta, cut into small cubes
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly butter a deep 2 1/2 quart casserole or an 11x14 glass baking dish.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the oil,
then the elbow macaroni, and cook until the macaroni is just tender, about 7
minutes. Do not overcook. Drain well. Return to the cooking pot.

In a small saucepan, melt 8 tbls of butter. Stir into the macaroni. In a
large bowl, mix the Muenster, mild and sharp Cheddar, and Monterey Jack
cheeses. To the macaroni, add the half-and-half, 1 1/2 cups of shredded
cheese, the cubed Velveeta, and the eggs. Season with the salt and pepper.
Transfer to the buttered casserole. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of
shredded cheese and dot with the remaining 1 tbls of butter.