Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Method16 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C.

2. 2

   Step 2: Boil 3 cups dry elbow macaroni in enough water, following its package time to just al dente or slightly firmer; it will cook further in the oven.

   Cook macaroni to package al dente timeUses 3 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked) · Water for boiling the macaroni (quantity unspecified)

3. 3

   Step 3: Drain the macaroni and set it aside.

   Uses partly cooked macaroni

4. 4

   Step 4: In a large bowl, combine 1½ cups milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 cup shredded Colby/Monterey Jack, 6–8 oz Velveeta and 1 cup sharp cheddar. Reserve the smoked cheddar for the topping.

   Uses 1 ½ cups milk · ½ cup heavy whipping cream · 1 cup Colby & Monterey Jack (shredded (cheese blend)) · 6-8 oz Velveeta cheese (shredded (feel free to cut back on the Velveeta if you don't want it to be super creamy)) · 1 cup sharp cheddar (shredded (can use less if you don't like a sharp taste in your mac n cheese))

5. 5

   Step 5: Stir the milk-and-cheese mixture to combine.

   Uses milk-and-cheese mixture

6. 6

   Step 6: Taste the cheese mixture now, before adding raw eggs, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

   Uses mixed cheese filling before eggs · Salt to taste for the cheese mixture · Black pepper to taste for the cheese mixture and optional topping

7. 7

   Step 7: Add the 2 eggs after adjusting the seasoning; stop tasting once raw eggs have been added.

   Uses seasoned cheese filling · 2 eggs

8. 8

   Step 8: Stir thoroughly until the eggs are evenly incorporated.

   Uses egg-enriched cheese mixture

9. 9

   Step 9: Butter a 9 × 9-inch baking dish with the separate greasing butter.

   Uses Butter to grease the baking dish (quantity unspecified)

10. 10

    Step 10: Put the drained macaroni in the buttered baking dish.

    Uses prepared drained macaroni

11. 11

    Step 11: Pour the prepared cheese filling over the macaroni.

    Uses macaroni in baking dish · prepared egg-and-cheese filling

12. 12

    Step 12: Gently distribute the filling evenly through the macaroni.

    Uses macaroni with cheese filling

13. 13

    Step 13: Top with the reserved 1 cup smoked cheddar. Add the optional extra Colby/Monterey Jack and a little paprika and/or black pepper if desired.

    Uses assembled macaroni casserole · 1 cup smoked cheddar cheese (shredded (a must)) · paprika (optional) · Extra Colby/Monterey Jack for topping, optional (quantity unspecified) · Black pepper for the topping, optional and to taste

14. 14

    Step 14: Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the center reaches 165°F / 74°C and the egg filling is set. Avoid overbaking; a slight jiggle can settle during cooling.

    Bake mac and cheese · 45 minUses topped macaroni casserole

15. 15

    Step 15: Let the casserole cool for 10–15 minutes, until fully set.

    Cool and set · 15 minUses baked macaroni and cheese

16. 16

    Step 16: Serve the finished macaroni and cheese.

    Uses set macaroni-and-cheese casserole