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Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 68 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A rich and creamy Southern baked mac and cheese recipe featuring a blend of sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses for a perfectly cheesy, golden bubbly finish. This classic soul food side dish is baked to perfection with flavorful seasonings and a smooth custard-like sauce made from whole and evaporated milk and eggs.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni

Dairy & Eggs

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2½ cups whole milk
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1½ cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (plus more for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook Macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and return the pasta to the pot. Stir in the butter until it melts, coating the noodles evenly.
  3. Mix Milk and Seasonings: In a large bowl, whisk together whole milk, evaporated milk, and the beaten eggs. Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Thoroughly mix these seasonings into the milk and egg mixture to build the creamy sauce base.
  4. Combine Macaroni and Cheese: Pour the milk mixture over the macaroni in the pot and stir to combine. Fold in 1½ cups sharp cheddar, 1 cup Colby Jack, and ½ cup mozzarella cheese to the pasta mixture, ensuring the cheese is evenly distributed.
  5. Layer the Casserole: Pour half of the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the remaining cheeses (½ cup cheddar, ½ cup Colby Jack, ½ cup mozzarella, and sprinkle Parmesan as desired) over the macaroni layer. Add the remaining macaroni mixture on top, then cover with the rest of the cheeses and a light dusting of smoked paprika for color and flavor.
  6. Bake: Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is golden brown, bubbly, and the cheese is fully melted.
  7. Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and allow the mac and cheese to rest for 10 minutes to set and develop the best creamy texture before serving.

Notes

  • For extra creaminess, add ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese to the sauce mixture before baking.
  • You can substitute different cheeses but keeping sharp cheddar is key for authentic Southern flavor.
  • Use smoked paprika sparingly to add a subtle depth of smoky flavor and color.
  • If you prefer a crustier top, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with Southern staples like fried chicken or collard greens.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/best-southern-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe/