Southern Baked Mac and Cheese (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main ingredients
01 -
1 pound pasta noodles (elbow or rotini preferred)
02 -
7 tablespoons room temperature butter, divided
03 -
4 garlic cloves, minced
04 -
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
05 -
½ cup reserved pasta water
06 -
½ cup heavy cream
07 -
3½ cups half and half
08 -
¼ cup whipped cream cheese
→ Cheese blend
09 -
12 oz medium cheddar cheese, shredded (reserve 1 cup for topping)
10 -
8 oz Colby Jack cheese, shredded (reserve 1 cup for topping)
11 -
8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded (reserve 1 cup for topping)
12 -
4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
13 -
4 oz white cheddar cheese, shredded
→ Seasonings
14 -
½ teaspoon onion powder
15 -
½ teaspoon paprika
16 -
½ teaspoon mustard powder
17 -
Salt to taste
18 -
Black pepper to taste
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat oven to 425°F. Shred all cheeses and set aside 1 cup each of medium cheddar, Colby Jack, and mozzarella for the crispy topping. Mince garlic and divide butter into portions.
02 -
Boil pasta until slightly less than al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining. Pour drained pasta into a greased 9x13 casserole dish and toss with 2 tablespoons of butter.
03 -
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 -
Whisk in flour and continue stirring until golden, about 2 minutes. Gradually pour in reserved pasta water, heavy cream, and half and half, whisking constantly until thickened, about 4 minutes.
05 -
Reduce heat to low. Add the non-reserved cheeses one handful at a time, whisking until each addition is fully melted before adding more. Whisk in cream cheese, onion powder, paprika, and mustard powder until smooth.
06 -
Pour the cheese sauce over the buttered pasta and mix thoroughly. Top evenly with the reserved shredded cheeses for the crispy crust.
07 -
Bake for 10 minutes, then switch oven to broil and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
08 -
Remove from oven and let cool for 3-5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set up slightly for easier serving.
# Notes:
01 -
This recipe uses five different types of cheese for incredible depth of flavor and the perfect melt.
02 -
Cook the pasta slightly underdone since it will continue cooking in the oven with the sauce.
03 -
Add cheeses gradually and whisk constantly to prevent the sauce from becoming lumpy or breaking.
04 -
The reserved pasta water helps create a silky smooth sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles.