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Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe | Grandbaby Cakes
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4.28 from 165 votes

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Perfectly creamy, cheesy, rich and decadent and baked to bubbly perfection, this baked mac and cheese is beyond irresistible.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Southern
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 508kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese about 1 pound
  • 1 cup shredded manchego cheese about 1/4 pound
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese about 1/4 pound
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1/2- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350. Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons butter.
  • In a heavy saucepan, whisk in cream, half-and-half and 4 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Add black pepper, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, and mustard, and whisk in flour. Cook the mixture about 2 minutes, until there are no more flour lumps. The mixture should not be bubbling. If so, reduce heat.
  • Whisk in the cheddar, manchego, and Gruyere. Keep cheese sauce on low heat until ready for the baking dish.
  • Using a stockpot or Dutch oven, bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Sprinkle in salt. Put in the pasta and cook for about 8 minutes. The macaroni should not be mushy. Drain and transfer to prepared baking dish.
  • Mix the eggs well into the pasta. Next, pour cheese sauce over macaroni and stir well. Sprinkle paprika on top if desirable.
  • Bake for 40 minutes, until you have a golden crust.
  • Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

When cooking the macaroni, please don't overcook it (al dente). It will be fully cooked as a finished dished in the oven. 

Nutrition

Calories: 508kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 632mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1085IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 517mg | Iron: 0.9mg