Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

What Is Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese?

The preparation method and extra creamy texture of the cheese sauce are what makes this recipe a southern baked macaroni and cheese. Macaroni pasta is baked in a rich and creamy cheese sauce that's made with whole milk and evaporated milk and has been seasoned, then baked until it develops a golden brown crust on top. To make it extra flavorful or to suit your preferences, you can add seasonings such as Creole, garlic powder, mustard, hot sauce, and other such flavoring options.

Ingredients

• Pasta: elbow macaroni is traditionally used to make mac and cheese, but any short pasta can be substituted, such as bow ties, ditalini, etc.
• Roux: a roux is what gives the cheese sauce it's thickness and is made with flour and melted butter.
• Evaporated milk: we love using evaporated milk in our cheese sauces because it enhances the creaminess and richness of the sauce.
• Whole milk: you can substitute with 1% or 2% milk but the less fat the milk contains, the less creamy the cheese sauce will turn out.
• Cheese: our favorite part! We use a blend of extra sharp yellow cheddar cheese and white cheddar cheese. You can also use monterey jack and colby jack cheese if you'd like.
• Seasonings: we season our mac and cheese with paprika and salt.

What's The Best Cheese For Macaroni And Cheese?

I personally love using New York or Wisconsin extra sharp cheddar cheese, both yellow and white. Monterey Jack and Colby Jack are also great too, as is Pepper Jack if you want a slight spice to your mac and cheese.

Instructions

1. Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. It will continue cooking in the oven, so you don't want it to be too soft.
2. In a large mixing bowl, melt the butter. Add flour to create a roux, stirring constantly for a few minutes until it thickens into a paste. Alternatively, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-heat, whisking in the flour to form a thick paste.
3. Gradually whisk the milk into the roux to form a smooth sauce. Stir in the paprika and salt. Generously butter or oil a 9x13 casserole dish. Add the cooked pasta to the dish. Pour the milk/roux over the pasta. Stir in 3 cups of shredded cheese. Mix well with a wooden spoon to evenly combine all ingredients. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
4. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit in a preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the inside is hot and bubbly.
5. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

How To Store

Store leftovers in the fridge in a covered container for up to one week or in freezer safe storage containers for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven or microwave.

Make Ahead Instructions

It's simple to prepare mac and cheese ahead of time, especially on busy day or for holiday meals. To make ahead, completely assemble the meal as the instructions indicate. Then cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, follow the instructions for temperature and timing as usual. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

What To Serve With Baked Mac and Cheese

As a side dish, mac and cheese is great served with:

• Air fried chicken nuggets to make a comforting lunch or dinner for the kids
• Zucchini fritters
• Meatloaf muffins
• Roasted vegetables, like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus

Variations

• Add meat or protein: cooked crispy bacon, ham, sausage, pork roll, ground beef or turkey, rotisserie chicken, lobster, or crab can really enhance the flavor of a traditional mac and cheese dinner.
• Add vegetables: chopped broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peas, spinach and green beans are great additions to make your mac and cheese a little more hearty and healthy. Plus it's an easy way to sneak in some veggies to those little picky eaters! We love this hidden vegetable mac and cheese.