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Today Loves Food
Recipes are incredibly special. The food we love and choose to cook for others can be a little peek into our lives and a way to bare our souls. It’s one of the things that makes passing down generational recipes so special. You may have never met your Aunt Kaye, but dang, is her rhubarb dessert delicious.
The testament of a truly great recipe, though, is one that makes it outside of your family unit. There’s no better feeling than sharing your grandma’s dinner recipe with someone and them giving it a rave review.
We here at Allrecipes love sharing our go-to recipes with one another, like this Italian Penicillin soup that got us through winter, or the dishes we’re most excited to make this month—and it seems we’re not the only ones.
Much like our team of editors, the Today hosts are known for passing their family favorites around the studio.
From Jenna Bush Hager’s queso to Savannah Guthrie’s margaritas, the Today hosts’ recipes are legendary at Rockefeller Center. So, after years of making each other’s dishes—and trying famous recipes on the show—Today has compiled the best of the best in its new cookbook, Today Loves Food.
The Iconic Family Recipe the 'Today' Show Hosts Are All Passing Around
At the cookbook’s launch party, the hosts shared some of their must-make recipes with Allrecipes, including Al Roker’s Cast-Iron Ribeye with Anchovy Butter and Dylan Dreyer’s Foolproof Chicken Piccata. But the one recipe multiple hosts agreed should be the first dish you try? Craig Melvin’s mom’s macaroni and cheese.
Betty Jo Melvin’s recipe, named "Craig’s Mom’s Over-the-Top Mac & Cheese," is "the stuff of legend," Craig writes in the cookbook. It’s so legendary that Guthrie, Hager, and Carson Daly all raved about it.
“I have made it so many times. It’s really easy to make,” Guthrie told Allrecipes. Which, if you remember the Today host’s stint as Allrecipes’ cover star, you might recall she is admittedly not a whiz in the kitchen. So, if Guthrie says it’s an easy recipe, we’re sold.
"It’s delicious," Hager agreed. "I haven’t even had it at Craig’s house, [Daly and I have] had it at Savannah’s. It’s a recipe that’s been passed around to our families."
The mac and cheese, which Melvin says is the “official side dish” of his family, features whole milk, evaporated milk, Velveeta cheese, sharp Cheddar, mild Cheddar, and a “whole lotta butter.” But the three eggs are what Melvin says are the secret ingredient.
Related
Al Roker’s Best Breakfast Recipe Has an Unexpected Secret Ingredient
The 3 Trader Joe’s Items Hoda and Jenna Never Leave the Store Without
So, if you’re looking for the new official side dish of your family—or want an easy dish that will disappear quickly at your next potluck—here’s how to make Craig’s Mom’s Over-the-Top Mac & Cheese.
How To Make Craig's Mom's Over-the-Top Mac & Cheese
Today Loves Food
Ingredients
- Softened butter, for the baking pan
- Salt
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 stick salted butter, cubed, at room temperature
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 (8-ounce) block processed cheese product, such as Velveeta, broken up into small chunks
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Recipe excerpted from Today Loves Food
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