Description
The Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon butter, for buttering the pan
- 16 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 10 cups water mixed with chicken broth
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, save half for topping
- 8 oz colby jack cheese, shredded, save half for topping
- 8 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 8 oz American cheese, cubed
- 4 oz softened cream cheese, warmed in the microwave for 30 seconds
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup heavy cream
- kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1–2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Butter an 8-by-11 or 9-by-13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Fill a large stockpot or dutch oven halfway with chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add in elbow macaroni and cook until just under al dente. Drain the pasta.
- While the pasta boils, mix the half and half, heavy cream, half of the cheddar cheese, half of the colby jack cheese, all of the mozzarella cheese, all of the American cheese, and all of the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl.
- Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, and some kosher salt and pepper. Stir well and taste.
- Once satisfied with the seasoning, stir in the cooked macaroni and eggs until well incorporated.
- Pour the macaroni mixture into the baking dish and spread evenly.
- Top with the rest of the cheddar cheese and colby jack cheese. Sprinkle with more smoked paprika if desired.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until the cheese crust is bubbly and browned. Let cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, use 8 ounces of cream cheese.
- You can use evaporated milk instead of half and half.
- Any cheese can be used as long as they aren’t hard cheeses.
- Doubling the recipe works well with one additional egg and a larger baking dish.
- Make ahead by baking the day of serving.
- Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave with a splash of milk or in the oven at 325ºF covered with foil.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 424
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 881mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 104mg
Keywords: Southern Baked Mac and Cheese, Comfort Food, Cheese Recipe