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The easiest, most delicious Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe! A simple combination of milk, cheese, butter, pasta and eggs is finished with bread crumbs for an easy side dish that pairs beautifully with just about any meal — from a summer barbecue picnic to a Thanksgiving feast. Enjoy this comfort food all year long! Few dishes rival macaroni and cheese when it comes to popular sides. Whether you like it with elbow pasta or rotini, cheddar or Velveeta, this versatile and easy recipe is a crowd-pleasing option for any occasion! While every home cook has her favorite version of mac and cheese, this particular recipe yields a Southern-style casserole that’s just like Grandma made it! Many Northern macaroni and cheese recipes use a roux to make a creamy béchamel that coats the noodles in sauce. If that’s what you prefer, you’ll love this Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese recipe! In the South, however, baked macaroni and cheese recipes are typically just simple combinations of pasta, eggs, butter, milk and cheese. The eggs set up to create a firm casserole that you can slice into squares to serve — it’s not a creamy, saucy dish like you may have seen elsewhere. Finish the cheesy, tender noodles with a buttery bread crumb topping and your family and friends will go crazy for the easy, hearty comfort food! What is the best cheese to use for macaroni and cheese?This is really a matter of personal preference. I use a combination of sharp cheddar and Colby or Colby-Jack, which are flavorful cheeses that melt nicely. You can stick with just cheddar, or you can mix it up and use a combination that includes Gruyere, Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack, gouda, smoked gouda, Swiss or mozzarella. The options are endless, so pick your favorites! Do you need to bake mac and cheese?Some macaroni and cheese recipes do not require baking — those are the creamy mac and cheese recipes that start with a roux and a cream sauce. This Southern-style macaroni and cheese definitely needs to be baked, because the egg mixture sets up in the oven. It’s what holds together the casserole! Why do you put eggs in this baked macaroni and cheese recipe?Egg is used in Southern baked macaroni and cheese recipes to hold the casserole together. As the eggs bake in the dish, the mac and cheese sets, firms up, and creates that drier texture that you can slice into squares — a hallmark of this particular style of mac and cheese. How to make a Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese RecipeThere’s a secret ingredient in this recipe that adds so much rich, creamy flavor to the dish: sour cream! I learned the tip from the Queen of Southern Mac and Cheese herself, Paula Deen, and I’ve never looked back. This recipe is slightly tweaked from Paula Deen’s macaroni and cheese recipe that she serves at The Lady & Sons restaurant in Savannah, because there’s no sense in messing with a good thing. It’s the best of the best, and I hope that you love it as much as we do! Ingredients for Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bread Crumbs
Step 1: Cook Elbow MacaroniBoil the pasta until al dente (about 6 minutes), drain, and return to the pot. Step 2: Add Butter and CheeseStir in the grated cheeses and the butter to coat the noodles. Step 3: Combine Wet IngredientsIn a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sour cream, salt, dry mustard, garlic powder and cayenne. Step 4: Stir Together IngredientsAdd the egg mixture to the pasta and stir to combine. Transfer to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Step 5: Add Bread Crumb ToppingSprinkle buttered breadcrumbs over top. Step 6: BakeBake the mac and cheese, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven until it’s golden brown and set. This will take about 35-40 minutes. What to serve with Baked Mac and CheeseOld-Fashioned baked macaroni and cheese is a hearty, delicious and satisfying casserole on its own. Serve it as a dinner entrée and your family will be thrilled! Just add a simple green salad, roasted broccoli, or Southern Collard Greens on the side. The golden baked mac and cheese is also an easy side dish that goes well with any of these meals:
Can I make this macaroni and cheese ahead and bake it later?Yes! You can assemble the mac and cheese as instructed, cool completely, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 days before baking. When you’re ready to bake, allow the dish to come to room temperature on the counter for about 30 minutes and then bake according to recipe instructions. If it’s still cold on the inside when you put it in the oven, you may need to bake for a little bit longer to make sure that the mac and cheese is hot in the center and fully set. Storage TipsStore leftover baked macaroni and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Can I freeze macaroni and cheese?I do not recommend freezing baked mac and cheese. The texture of the pasta will be mushy when thawed, and the milk-based custard will break. How to Reheat Southern Baked Mac and CheeseCover the dish loosely with foil and reheat in a 350 degree F oven just until warmed through. You can remove the foil cover during the final few minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to get nice and crispy again. To reheat individual servings, just cover loosely and microwave for 30 seconds (or until warm). Variations of Mac and Cheese
Tips for the Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
More macaroni and cheese recipes that you might enjoy:
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Serving: 1/10 of the recipeCalories: 326kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 12gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 409mgPotassium: 154mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 672IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 235mgIron: 1mg Hey, I’m Blair! Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking! Read More How does Patti Labelle make mac and cheese?Ingredients. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided.. 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded or grated Parmesan cheese.. 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese.. 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese.. 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Muenster cheese.. 1 cup (8 ounces) Velveeta, cut into small cubes.. What does putting an egg in mac and cheese do?The egg will make the Mac and Cheese smoother and creamier. I have tried this recipe with and without adding the egg and it does affect the texture of the final recipe. In a medium bowl, beat one egg. Warm the egg by drizzling in, very slowly, 2-3 Tablespoons of the thickened milk mixture.
What are the best seasonings for mac and cheese?Cayenne, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, and Dry Mustard
These spices will cut through the hearty flavor of the cheese and butter. Simply add ½ teaspoons of cayenne, black pepper, and dry mustard with a dash of nutmeg to a mixture of 1 egg and 1 cup (0.24 l) of heavy cream.
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