Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Gums are carbohydrates. That said, I hate that we're becoming so lazy as country. Really? You can't open the box of granola and put a little bit in a reusable container? We're all going to be fat, sitting on top of little piles of 100-calorie pack wrappers in 10 years...

I completely agree with Michael Pollan here, we all need to eat less meat, for our own health and the health of the planet, but I think the larger issues, not addressed here, are the fast food companies and their use of meat products. If we all bought one less pound of ground beef a week, or at least purchased organic, grass-fed beef from a local farm, clearly the impact of meat productions on the environment would be lessened. But we still have the issue of McDonalds, Burger King, etc., using "industrially" produced meat and, until companies like these change their practices, I don't feel a true improvement can be made. Bear in mind, I'm not against fast food, I've been known to eat a double cheeseburger on occasion. I just feel these companies can do a whole world of good by acknowledging the faults of the meat industry and really advocating change. Imagine what would happen if each franchise sourced beef and chicken from local farmers. Even better if the prices increased as a result, maybe people would buy raw ingredients more often and cook food for themselves.

Crispy, definitely, then crumbled over roasted Brussels sprouts!

I'm in the predominately cheddar group w/ the rest being whatever I have on hand,including cream cheese. I'm in the bacon camp and I also like diced onion or jalepeno,cherry or grape tomatoes.The topping?I've hit on the devilish combo of 1/2 breadcumbs,1/2 CHEEZ-ITS ground up together in the food proceesor.And yes they're buttered.I dont make this too often since it can kill you.

My MIL's mac and cheese - no bechamel saucing required (she can't cook otherwise, but this is to die for):

1. Butter a casserole dish (I use a square 2-quart Corningware dish)
2. Boil 2 cups macaroni (I like Barilla elbows because they have ridges)
3. Drain, do not rinse
4. Layer half the macaroni in the casserole, sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheese. (I usually end up using Kraft or Kroger pre-shredded cheese but obviously it's better with better cheese. Sharp cheddar is my personal choice.)
5. Repeat layers.
6. Mix together (a 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup works well) 1 cup milk and 2 eggs. (My MIL's original directions also say that you can use evaporated milk to make it even richer, but I think that's sort of overkill. My husband tried to use Redi-Whip once...the results are better not described.)
7. Pour egg mixture over macaroni and cheese layers in casserole.
8. Sprinkle a little more cheese over the top. (I've never tried it with crumbs.)
9. Bake UNCOVERED at 325 for about 20 minutes.
10. Let stand for 5-10 minutes to set before serving.

Serves 4-6 as a main dish, maybe more as a side dish, but probably not more than 8 as written. If there's any left, it's as good if not better reheated in the microwave. Also very forgiving of the addition of diced ham, sliced hotdogs, vegetables, etc. Quick and so easy I have it memorized...great for busy weeknights.

best home made:
Light Cream, ( not Heavy, not Medium, not Half & Half )
while heating, whipping in coarsly grated 5 year old imported Holland Gouda ( $ 7.95 at Sams ), a bit of white Pepper, no salt needed, bits of sauteed Prosciutto, and then the al Dente cooked Ziti, all in buttered casserole topped with grated Tete de Moine 450F oven til brown

I know I'm late to chime in, but I just gotta say:
There's a great substitute for Velveeta which my wife calls "Chernoble cheese".
Merkt's port wine cheddar.

I will eat any mac & cheese, and have made it tons of different ways, but I made it with a rather odd combination once, Brie and Cheddar, cause that's what I had in the fridge, and it came out surprisingly well. Everyone wanted to know my recipe. Sadly, I didn't not write the proportions down.