Description
Creamy Southern Baked Mac and Cheese brings comfort right to your dinner table with rich layers of cheesy goodness that’ll make your family smile. Baked until golden and bubbling, this classic Southern recipe delivers pure homestyle deliciousness your loved ones will request again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Cheese:
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
Pasta and Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
Seasonings and Fats:
- ½ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Heat the oven to precisely 350°F, preparing a cozy environment for your mac and cheese masterpiece.
- Cook 2 cups of elbow macaroni according to package directions until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly.
- Melt ½ cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat, creating a smooth base for your creamy sauce.
- Whisk ¼ cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon paprika into the melted butter, forming a fragrant roux.
- Slowly stream 2 cups milk into the roux, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and transforms into a silky sauce.
- Fold 3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the sauce, stirring until each strand melts completely and creates a luxurious coating.
- Gently mix the cheese sauce with your cooked macaroni, ensuring every pasta piece gets thoroughly coated.
- Transfer the cheesy mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it evenly for maximum deliciousness.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and ½ cup breadcrumbs across the top for a crispy, golden crown.
- Bake for exactly 25 minutes at 350°F until the top turns golden brown and the edges bubble with cheesy excitement.
Notes
- Always use room temperature milk when making the cheese sauce to prevent lumps and ensure smooth blending.
- Sharp cheddar provides the most robust flavor, but experiment with a blend of cheeses like Gruyère or Monterey Jack for added depth.
- For a crispy top, broil the mac and cheese for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Gluten-free friends can substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch and use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this dish accessible for everyone.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg