Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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This Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese is a comfort food classic that blends rich, creamy cheese sauce with perfectly cooked macaroni. It's the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in.

Ingredients for Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese

The backbone of this dish is the elbow macaroni, which holds the cheese sauce beautifully. The sharp cheddar cheese offers a tangy flavor punch, while mozzarella cheese adds a creamy, melty texture. The milk and heavy cream create a luscious sauce, and unsalted butter adds richness without overwhelming saltiness. Eggs provide structure, ensuring the dish sets up nicely. The flour thickens the sauce, while salt, black pepper, and paprika enhance the flavor profile.

Tips & Tricks

  • Be sure to whisk the milk and cream into the roux gradually to prevent lumps.
  • For a crunchy topping, consider adding breadcrumbs or crushed crackers before baking.
  • Use fresh-shredded cheese for the best melting and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese can sometimes have additives that affect texture.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal. For a heartier Southern experience, serve it alongside fried chicken or barbecued ribs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it up to the baking step and refrigerate it. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! Just make sure it's cooled completely before wrapping it tightly and freezing. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.

Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While the oven warms up, cook your elbow macaroni as per the package directions. Once it's al dente, drain it and set it aside. This step is critical because overcooked pasta will become mushy during baking.

Next, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. As soon as it's melted, stir in the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly. This forms the roux, which will thicken your cheese sauce.

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble, which should take around five minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups of cheddar cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese until they're fully melted into the sauce.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Slowly add the cheese sauce to the eggs, stirring constantly to avoid scrambling. Once combined, mix in the cooked macaroni, ensuring every piece is well-coated with the sauce.

Pour the macaroni mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top it with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Finally, sprinkle salt, pepper, and paprika over the top.

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until it's bubbly and golden brown on top. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Rich and creamy texture that perfectly coats each macaroni piece.
  • Combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella for a balanced flavor profile.
  • Easy to prepare and bake, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.
  • Customizable with your favorite spices or add-ins for a personal touch.

Ingredients

16 oz elbow macaroni
4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp paprika

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute.
4. Gradually whisk in milk and heavy cream, and cook until the mixture is thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups of cheddar cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese until melted.
6. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and slowly add the cheese sauce while stirring constantly.
7. Add cooked macaroni to the cheese mixture and mix well.
8. Pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish and top with remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
9. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.
10. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
11. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

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