Description
Mac and cheese from grandma’s Southern kitchen delivers pure comfort with creamy cheddar and crispy breadcrumb topping. Generations of families cherish this classic recipe that connects you to nostalgic home-cooked memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (960 mL) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups (480 mL) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 3 bowls (340 g) elbow macaroni, dry
- 2 cans (12 oz or 370 mL each) evaporated milk
- 4 tbsps (60 g) butter with salt
- 2 large eggs
- 0.75 cup (180 mL) milk
- 1 tsp paprika
- 0.25 tsp garlic salt
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain thoroughly and return to pot, then coat with melted butter until each pasta strand glistens evenly.
- Liquid Mixture: Whisk evaporated milk, whole milk, eggs, and garlic salt in a mixing bowl until silky and homogeneous.
- Cheese Preparation: Combine shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses in a separate bowl, creating a rich, melty blend.
- Dish Assembly: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and layer pasta and cheese in thirds, ensuring the top layer is generously covered with cheese.
- Liquid Infusion: Gently pour milk-egg mixture across the layers, allowing it to permeate between pasta and cheese. Dust surface with paprika for a vibrant finish.
- Baking Process: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top transforms into a golden-brown crust with bubbling, tempting edges.
- Resting Phase: Remove from oven and let mac and cheese settle for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to stabilize and flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook macaroni just until al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain a delightful bite.
- Cheese Harmony: Use a combination of cheddar and mozzarella for rich, creamy melting that creates irresistible strings and depth of flavor.
- Milk Magic: Evaporated milk adds luxurious richness and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce that clings perfectly to each pasta noodle.
- Resting Ritual: Allow the mac and cheese to rest after baking, which helps the sauce set and intensifies the overall flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg