Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese: A Comfort Food Delight!
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
No reviews
A creamy and cheesy Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese that is a perfect comfort food delight.
- Author: Lorenzo Bonucci
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the whole milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
- Stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, mixing well to coat all the pasta.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter, then sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the cheese sauce.
- You can substitute half of the cheddar cheese with Gruyère or Fontina for a more gourmet flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg