Ultimate macaroni and cheese -- four different ways!

Homeroom's offerings rotate so during the second anniversary celebrations a few years ago, guests voted for their favorite dish. By the time the votes had been counted, three clear faves had emerged including a peppery Cacio e Pepe and the restaurant's famous Gilroy Garlic Mac.
A breakfast mac and cheese is a specialty at Oakland's Homeroom restaurant. Now owners Erin Wadeand Allison Arevalo have their first book out, "The Mac + Cheese Cookbook,"from Ten Speed Press, with recipes for every type of macaroni and cheese.
Bay Area News Group file
Oakland's Homeroom restaurant pays homage to macaroni and cheese in all its winsome variations.
Bay Area News Group file
Why should macaroni and cheese be boring? Homeroom's menu explores everything from Gilroy garlic-scented mac to a breakfast version with bacon.
Mac and cheese is a cozy classic, but when you amp up the flavor factor by using Cypress Grove Truffle Tremor instead of cheddar, the results are seductive enough for Valentine's Day. (Thinkstock)
Casseroles are an indelible part of mid-20th century American cooking. (Photo: Oksana Kiian)

By Jackie Burrell | jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: January 20, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. | UPDATED: January 22, 2018 at 5:04 a.m.

We usually think National Whatever Day(s) are silly, but when it comes to National Mac and Cheese Day — on Jan. 20 — we are deeeelighted to get on board. Who doesn’t love cheesy goodness? So step away from the blue box. Here are four fantastic (and easy!) DIY mac-and-cheese recipes that will have you celebrating all year round.

1 Ultimate Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a cozy classic, but when you amp up the flavor factor byusing Cypress Grove Truffle Tremor instead of cheddar, the results are seductive enough for Valentine's Day. (Thinkstock) — Mac and cheese is a cozy classic, but when you amp up the flavor factor the results are seductive enough for Valentine’s Day. (Thinkstock)

This killer recipe by Traci Dutton and Sandy Sauter, from Napa’s CIA at Copia, is not only easy and delicious. It’s also easy to dress up for company or for, say, Valentine’s Day, when even lovers of classic mac-and-cheese want a certain degree of decadence in their dining.

This lovely recipe goes all the way, with cream, milk, cheddar and buttery breadcrumbs on top. Want something fancier? Swap in orecchiette (that’s the pasta that looks like little elephant ears) or another fancy-pants shaped pasta for the elbow macaroni. Change up the cheese and add a drizzle of truffle oil. Yep. You’ll find the recipe here — along with variation suggestions.

2 Homeroom’s Gilroy Garlic Mac and Cheese

Oakland’s mac-and-cheese centric Homeroom restaurant is known for this riff on the classic, scented with Gilroy’s most famous veggie. The Gilroy Garlic Mac and Cheese is so popular, Homeroom owners Allison Arevalo and Erin Wade serve up thousands of bowls of it at San Francisco’s Outside Lands music festival every summer, as well as in their cozy eatery. The secret? An easy-to-make Mac Sauce, Gouda, Pecorino and a sensational garlic-butter swirled in. It’s addictive. Here’s the recipe.

3 Homeroom’s Breakfast Mac

A breakfast mac and cheese is a specialty at Oakland's Homeroom restaurant. Now owners Erin Wadeand Allison Arevalo have their first book out, "The Mac + Cheese Cookbook,"from Ten Speed Press, with recipes for every type of macaroni and cheese. — A breakfast mac and cheese is a specialty at Oakland’s Homeroom restaurant.

Who says mac and cheese should be relegated to dinner? This eggy variation on mac and cheese — with bacon, of course — is a hot brunch item at Oakland’s Homeroom. We think it would make a great late-night snack, as well. You’ll find that recipe here.

4 Classic Extra Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese

This oh-so-gooey macaroni and cheese, from Sur La Table’s “Simple Comforts” cookbook, gets added deliciousness from the combination of cheddar and Parmesan. Want to spice things up a bit? There’s a smoky green chile variation, too. Find the recipe here.