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Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese! (With Video!)

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese! (With Video!)

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese is perfectly creamy, cheesy, rich, and decadent baked to bubbly perfection.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Southern
Servings 12 servings
Calories 508 kcal

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • Baking Dish Set

Ingredients
  

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
  • 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese about 1 pound
  • 1 cup shredded manchego cheese about ¼ pound
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese about ¼ pound
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 ½ teaspoons coarse salt
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • ½-1 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.

Notes

If storing leftovers, bring to room temp, cover with foil and refrigerate for 3-4 days. To reheat, put covered dish in 350°F oven for about 20 minutes. To freeze, use an airtight container, thaw in fridge overnight before reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 508kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 21gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 632mgPotassium: 199mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1085IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 517mgIron: 0.9mg
Keyword baked mac and cheese, cheesy pasta, comfort food, main dish, Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese, southern cuisine
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