Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
This creamy, cheesy Southern Baked Mac and Cheese features a rich cheese sauce, a crispy golden topping, and perfectly baked elbow macaroni. It’s the ultimate comfort food for family dinners, holidays, or any occasion that calls for something special.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 2 cups evaporated milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers optional, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in evaporated milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Gradually add the shredded cheeses, stirring until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Toss the cooked macaroni in the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Transfer half of the mac and cheese to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with extra cheese, then layer the remaining mac and cheese on top. Add more cheese on top for extra melt.
- For the topping, mix melted butter with panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers and sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let the mac and cheese cool slightly before serving to allow the flavors to set.
Nutrition
Serving: 1peopleCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 12gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 400mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5g
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