Description
A creamy and cheesy Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese that is perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, whisking constantly until smooth.
- Gradually add the milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper, if using.
- Remove from heat and add the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, mixing well to coat.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, add an extra cup of cheese to the sauce before mixing it with the macaroni.
- To add a crunchy topping, mix the breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of melted butter before sprinkling it on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg