Description
This Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese recipe delivers a rich, creamy, and cheesy casserole that perfectly balances sharp cheddar, mozzarella, Colby Jack, and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to golden perfection with a hint of paprika on top, it makes a comforting and crowd-pleasing side dish or main course perfect for family dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 large eggs
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika (plus more for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the mac and cheese doesn’t stick while baking.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni following the package instructions until just al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Make Roux: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, which will thicken the cheese sauce.
- Add Milk and Cream: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Add Cheeses: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups cheddar, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup Colby Jack, and all the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Incorporate Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs thoroughly, then slowly add them into the cheese sauce while stirring constantly to prevent curdling or scrambling.
- Season Sauce: Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to the cheese sauce. Mix well to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the cooked pasta thoroughly with the cheese sauce, then pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Add Topping: Top the pasta with the remaining cheddar, mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheeses, then sprinkle a little extra paprika on top for color and a mild smoky flavor.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the mac and cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes post baking to allow the sauce to set, resulting in a better texture before serving.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcook the macaroni; al dente ensures the pasta retains its texture after baking.
- Whisk the eggs into the sauce slowly off the heat to prevent scrambling.
- You can substitute any of the cheeses based on availability, but a mix of sharp and mild cheeses provides balance.
- For a crispier topping, you can add breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter before baking.
- Letting the dish rest after baking helps the cheese sauce thicken for easier serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish / Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
