Southern style baked macaroni (Printable Version)

A creamy, cheesy baked macaroni with a crispy golden crust, perfect for Southern-style comfort food gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 pound elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
03 - 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
04 - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
05 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 3 cups whole milk
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Topping

15 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
16 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente, approximately 1 minute less than package directions. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
03 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden, stirring constantly.
04 - Gradually whisk in milk and cream, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Continue cooking until mixture thickens slightly, approximately 4-5 minutes.
05 - Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Blend thoroughly until seasonings are fully incorporated.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Add sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, and mozzarella cheeses, reserving 1 cup sharp cheddar for topping. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
07 - Add drained macaroni to cheese sauce. Fold gently until all pasta is evenly coated with sauce.
08 - Pour macaroni mixture into prepared baking dish. Spread evenly and top with reserved sharp cheddar cheese.
09 - Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over cheese topping for textural contrast.
10 - Bake for 30-35 minutes until mixture is bubbly and top is golden brown.
11 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. This resting period allows the casserole to set and makes serving easier.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • The cheese pulls in three different ways, creating layers of flavor that keep surprising your taste buds.
  • That crispy golden top hides the creamiest, dreamiest sauce underneath, like a delicious secret.
  • It comes together in about an hour and feeds a crowd, making you look like you spent all day in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of cooking pasta a minute under al dente, because a soft, mushy mac and cheese will haunt your dreams in the worst way possible.
  • Whisking the milk in slowly prevents lumps that no amount of straining can fix, so your patience here determines your entire outcome.
03 -
  • Let the pasta water cool slightly before whisking it into the roux because room temperature liquid combines smoother than boiling hot water.
  • Reserve that extra cup of cheddar for the top and don't get tempted to dump all the cheese into the sauce, because the top cheese is what creates that gorgeous golden crust everyone remembers.
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