Description
Creamy Southern baked mac and cheese combines rich cheddar and velvety texture with comforting Southern culinary traditions. Cheese lovers savor each bite of this classic side dish that delivers hearty flavor and nostalgic warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (or cavatappi)
- 4 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsps melted butter
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent adhesion.
- Pasta Orchestration: Cook macaroni in salted water until al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain completely and toss with melted butter to prevent sticking, ensuring each strand remains distinct and glossy.
- Cheese Sauce Creation: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Gradually whisk in milk, heavy cream, evaporated milk, and eggs. Incorporate seasonings including salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Dijon mustard. Maintain a smooth, consistent temperature without allowing the mixture to boil, creating a velvety cheese sauce.
- Layering Technique: Construct the mac and cheese with alternating layers of pasta and cheese. Spread half the pasta in the baking dish, cover with a generous blanket of shredded cheese, and pour half the creamy mixture. Repeat the layering process, ensuring even distribution of ingredients for maximum flavor complexity.
- Crispy Topping Assembly: Crush Ritz crackers (or panko) and blend with melted butter. Sprinkle this golden crumb mixture across the surface, creating a crunchy textural contrast to the creamy interior.
- Baking Finale: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top achieves a golden-brown, bubbling perfection that promises a delectable culinary experience.
- Resting Period: Allow the mac and cheese to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, enabling the ingredients to settle and meld, intensifying the overall flavor profile before serving.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Clumping: Immediately toss cooked macaroni with melted butter to stop noodles from sticking together, ensuring each bite remains separate and perfectly coated.
- Manage Egg Incorporation: Temper whisked eggs by slowly adding hot milk mixture to prevent scrambling, creating a smooth, silky cheese sauce without unwanted egg chunks.
- Control Moisture Levels: Cover with foil during initial baking to retain moisture, then uncover to allow strategic browning and crisp topping development without drying out the dish.
- Customize Cheese Blend: Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or monterey jack to elevate flavor complexity and create a personalized mac and cheese experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg