Mind-Blowing Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Extra saucy with a crispy crust, this Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe will quickly steal your heart. It's comfort food... elevated!
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. Pasta Noodles (I prefer elbow or rotini)
  • 7 tbsp. Room Temperature Butter, divided
  • 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp. All Purpose Flour
  • ½ cup Reserved Pasta Water
  • ½ cup Heavy Cream
  • 3.5 cups Half and Half
  • 12 oz. Shredded Medium Cheddar
  • 8 oz. Shredded Colby Jack
  • 8 oz. Shredded Mozzarella
  • 4 oz. Shredded Sharp Cheddar
  • 4 oz. Shredded White Cheddar
  • ¼ cup Whipped Cream Cheese
  • ½ tsp. Onion Powder
  • ½ tsp. Paprika
  • ½ tsp. Mustard Powder
  • Salt + Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Before starting, shred all cheeses. Be sure to set aside 1 cup of shredded medium cheddar, 1 cup of shredded Colby Jack, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Those you will use as your "crust topping".
  2. Mince garlic and cut the butter into 7 tablespoon tabs.
  3. Preheat your oven to 425F. While you wait, boil the pasta to slightly less than al dente, reserving ½ cup of pasta water before straining the cooked pasta. Pour the pasta into a 9X13 casserole dish and toss with 2 tbsp. of butter.
  4. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt 5 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
  5. Whisk in the flour and continue to stir until golden. Next, pour in the reserved pasta water, heavy cream and half and half. Constantly whisk until thickened, about 4 minutes.
  6. Turn the heat on the stove to low and start to whisk in the remaining freshly grated cheeses that you did not set aside. Make sure to do this one handful at a time. Continue to whisk until all the cheese is fully melted. Next, whisk in the room-temperature cream cheese, onion powder, paprika, and mustard powder.
  7. Pour the sauce over the buttered noodles and mix to combine. Top with reserved shredded cheeses and bake for 10 minutes. Turn up the oven to broil and cook until the top cheese layer is crispy, about 5 minutes.
  8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 3 - 5 minutes. Then enjoy!
Recipe by Slice of Jess at https://sliceofjess.com/mind-blowing-southern-baked-macaroni-and-cheese/