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Irresistible Baked Southern Mac and Cheese

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A rich, creamy, and cheesy baked Southern mac and cheese with a golden, crunchy breadcrumb topping, perfect for family meals and comfort food lovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 340 grams)
  • 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese (about 115 grams)
  • 2 cups whole milk (480 ml)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (57 grams)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (100 grams)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 grams)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour until smooth and cook for 1-2 minutes without browning.
  4. Slowly pour in whole milk and heavy cream while whisking vigorously. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and bubbles gently, about 4-5 minutes.
  5. Stir in salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika if using. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Remove sauce from heat and stir in shredded sharp cheddar and Colby Jack cheeses until melted and smooth.
  7. Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated. Pour mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  8. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese. Optionally, dot small bits of butter over the topping.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly. If topping browns too fast, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking.
  10. Let the mac and cheese rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; cook it al dente as it will bake further. Whisk the roux constantly to avoid lumps. Add cheese off heat or on low heat to prevent graininess. If the topping browns too quickly, cover with foil halfway through baking. Let the dish rest before serving to set the sauce. Use gluten-free pasta and flour for a gluten-free version. Substitute plant-based milk and vegan cheese for a vegan adaptation.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked mac and cheese, Southern mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta, family meal, baked pasta, creamy mac and cheese

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/irresistible-baked-southern-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-family-meals/