Description
Comforting mac and cheese brings nostalgic southern charm to dinner tables with creamy goodness and sharp cheddar warmth. Classic comfort blends rich cheese sauce and tender pasta, promising hearty satisfaction for hungry families craving home-style deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 cups dry elbow macaroni
- 2 large eggs
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) salted butter
- 2 cans (12 fluid ounces) evaporated milk
- 1/3 cup milk of choice
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Fill a generously sized pot with water, season with salt, and bring to a vigorous boil.
- Add elbow macaroni and cook until perfectly tender, approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain thoroughly and return pasta to the original pot.
- Incorporate salted butter into the warm pasta, ensuring each noodle becomes luxuriously coated. Set aside momentarily.
- Whisk evaporated milk, additional milk, eggs, and garlic salt in a spacious mixing bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Separately, combine shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, creating a rich, tantalizing blend.
- Heat the oven to 375°F, preparing it for the upcoming culinary masterpiece.
- Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray, preventing potential cheese adhesion.
- Construct delectable layers by alternating buttered macaroni and cheese mixture, creating three distinct tiers with cheese as the crowning layer.
- Gently cascade the milk and egg mixture across the assembled dish, ensuring even distribution.
- Dust the surface with a delicate sprinkle of paprika, adding a subtle warmth and visual appeal.
- Transfer the assembled mac and cheese into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform into a golden, bubbling delicacy.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top achieves a beautiful golden-brown hue and edges become irresistibly crispy.
- Remove from the oven and allow a brief resting period, permitting the cheese to settle and flavors to harmonize.
- Serve immediately, celebrating this classic comfort food with beloved companions.
Notes
- Choose high-quality cheddar and mozzarella for rich, melty flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Allow butter to coat macaroni completely for extra richness and preventing sticking.
- Whisk milk mixture thoroughly to ensure smooth, creamy texture without egg lumps.
- Grate cheese fresh instead of using pre-shredded to achieve superior melting consistency.
- Experiment with additional seasonings like smoked paprika or cayenne for subtle flavor complexity.
- For gluten-free version, substitute regular macaroni with gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- Let mac and cheese rest briefly after baking to help sauce set and make serving easier.
- Reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes if preferring a softer, less crispy top layer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 393
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 601 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg