Southern Baked Mac and Cheese recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
1 cup Colby-Jack cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed (optional for extra creaminess)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional for topping)
2 tablespoons butter, melted (for breadcrumb topping, optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Step 2: Cook the Macaroni
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, about 6-7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to remove the raw flour taste.
Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 4: Add the Cheeses
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 2 cups sharp cheddar, Colby-Jack, and mozzarella cheese. Stir until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce is smooth.
Add the Velveeta cheese cubes (if using) and stir until melted. The Velveeta adds a velvety, creamy texture.
Season the cheese sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Step 5: Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce
In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce. Stir until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
Stir in the beaten eggs for added richness.
Step 6: Assemble the Mac and Cheese
Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Top with the remaining 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese.
Step 7: Add Breadcrumb Topping (Optional)
For a crunchy topping, mix panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle over the top of the cheese layer.
Step 8: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Step 9: Serve
Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool slightly before serving.