Description
Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese is a quintessential comfort food that has long been a beloved staple in Southern cuisine. This rich, creamy dish is the epitome of indulgence, with its blend of gooey, melted cheeses enveloping tender elbow macaroni. The aroma of the baked casserole, topped with a golden, bubbly crust, is enough to make any mouth water.
Ingredients
- 16 ounce elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 6 cup chicken broth
- 8 ounce sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
- 8 ounce Colby jack cheese, shredded (divided)
- 8 ounce part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 8 ounce American cheese, cubed
- 4 ounce cream cheese, warmed
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, plus extra for topping
- 1–2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing pan)
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with the 1 tablespoon of butter and set it aside.
2. In a large pot, bring the 6 cup of chicken broth to a boil. Add the 16 ounce of uncooked elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain the macaroni well and set it aside.
3. While the pasta is cooking, in a large mixing bowl, combine the 1 cup of half and half, 1 cup of heavy cream, half of the 8 ounce of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, half of the 8 ounce of shredded Colby jack cheese, all of the 8 ounce of shredded mozzarella cheese, all of the 8 ounce of cubed American cheese, and all of the 4 ounce of warmed cream cheese.
4. Add the 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1-2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of mustard powder. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Stir the mixture well and adjust the seasoning as needed.
5. Gently fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese mixture until it is evenly coated. Then, stir in the 2 large eggs until they are fully incorporated.
6. Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
7. Top the macaroni and cheese generously with the remaining shredded sharp cheddar and Colby jack cheeses. Sprinkle a little extra smoked paprika over the top, if desired.
8. Bake the Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese for 35-40 minutes, or until the cheese crust is bubbly and beautifully browned. Do not overbake.
9. Allow the dish to cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy this creamy, comforting Southern classic hot out of the oven!
Notes
To achieve the creamiest, most indulgent Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese, keep these tips in mind:
– Don’t overcook the macaroni – Cook the pasta until it’s just shy of al dente, as it will continue to soften during the baking process.
– Adjust the cheese blend to your liking – Feel free to experiment with different cheese varieties.
– Be generous with the cheese – The more cheese you use, the creamier your dish will be.
– Don’t skimp on the spices – The combination of garlic, onion, and smoked paprika is key.
– Bake until the cheese crust is golden and bubbly – This complements the rich interior.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 150mg