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Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

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4.1 from 10 reviews

This Southern Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is a rich, creamy, and cheesy comfort food classic that combines multiple cheeses and a smooth custard-like sauce. It’s baked to a golden perfection with a bubbly, cheesy crust, making it an irresistible dish for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni

Dairy and Cheese

  • 1 12 oz can evaporated milk
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream (divided)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 ½ cups sharp cheddar, shredded (divided)
  • 1 ½ cups Colby Jack, shredded (divided)
  • 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
  • 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 6 tablespoons butter

Spices

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the mac and cheese doesn’t stick.
  2. Cook macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes, then drain well. Do not rinse the pasta to retain the starch for better sauce adherence.
  3. Mix pasta with butter and cream cheese: While the pasta is still warm, add the butter and softened cream cheese directly into the pot. Stir until both have melted and are evenly incorporated into the macaroni, creating a creamy base.
  4. Prepare custard mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, 1 cup of heavy cream, eggs, and black pepper until smooth to create the custard-like sauce that will bind the ingredients.
  5. Combine pasta and cheeses: Pour the milk-and-egg mixture over the warm macaroni mixture. Gently stir to combine. Then add the Velveeta cubes, shredded mozzarella, 2 cups sharp cheddar, and 1 cup Colby Jack cheese. Mix gently to distribute all cheeses evenly without breaking up the macaroni.
  6. Assemble for baking: Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup sharp cheddar and ½ cup Colby Jack evenly over the top. Pour the remaining ½ cup heavy cream evenly over the macaroni to keep it moist and creamy.
  7. Bake covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. This allows the mixture to heat through and meld flavors without drying out.
  8. Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly, and the center is hot and creamy.
  9. Rest before serving: Remove from the oven and let the mac and cheese rest for 10-15 minutes. This helps the dish set slightly, making it easier to serve and enhancing the flavor.

Notes

  • Using multiple types of cheese adds depth and creaminess to the dish.
  • Do not rinse pasta after cooking to keep the starch intact for better sauce adherence.
  • Adjust baking time slightly depending on your oven’s heat distribution.
  • Letting the dish rest after baking helps the sauce thicken and flavors meld.
  • You can swap Velveeta for all cheddar for a less processed option, but the creaminess may vary.

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