Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

02 June 2020 Bookmark • 0

Oklikshare - Southern Baked Mac and Cheese, exquisite creamy, cheesy, soulful baked mac and cheese packed with remarkable Southern flavors. you'll never wreck open a field once more!

I wasn’t a fan of Mac and Cheese again in the day. but as they are saying, matters trade. through the years, I’ve found out a way to love that tacky creamy goodness which is a staple in every American household. thanks to my son who severely might stay for mac and cheese each single day of his lifestyles.

But of direction, I’ve got to mention no to breaking open the ones packing containers sometimes. “Wait, what? You stated containers?”

Mac and Cheese Sauce

To start off, this tacky bechamel sauce here is over-the-top! other than half of cup of half of and half of (of light cream and entire milk), I also brought a can of evaporated milk (one of a kind from condensed milk) to add extra creaminess and texture to my mac and cheese.

And some other secret I’m adding to this sauce? CREOLE SEASONING. sure! Sprinkling it with 1/2-1 teaspoon provides dimension to this Southern Baked Mac and Cheese. I’m telling you it makes all the difference except you want bland food.

Quality Cheese for Baked Mac and Cheese

Don’t be scared while the usage of cheese for this recipe. I used 3 styles of cheeses to grace every noodle of this dish. For the excellent flavor, I highly advocate including a pointy cheddar in your baked mac and cheese. just a caution although, don’t use the pre-shredded bagged cheese because it has preservatives that make it drier in comparison to fresh-grated cheese.

Sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella, jack cheese, are my top fave. Or you could also use pepper jack cheese, Gouda, fontina, and Gruyere.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 12 oz canned evaporated milk
½ cup half and half (half cream and half milk)
½ -1 tablespoon onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
½ -1 teaspoon creole seasoning
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup mozzarella cheese , grated
½ cup sharp cheddar cheese , grated
½ cup jack cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
8 ounce uncooked Macaroni

Instructions:

Upload butter to skillet, as soon as butter melts whisk in flour. keep whisking till flour is fully mixed with butter.
Then cook for approximately a minute to do away with the flour taste.
Slowly upload evaporated milk a bit at the time, followed by the 1/2 and half of ; you do not need the mixture to form any lumps.
Simmer for approximately 3-five minutes until combination thickens barely.
Add seasonings, onion and garlic powder, creole seasoning and cayenne pepper.
Convey to a simmer and allow it simmer gently for about 2 minutes.
Stir in the cheeses (reserve some as toppings later), and preserve stirring till the entirety’s melted and calmly combined and, clean. Salt & pepper, to taste.
Then upload the cooked pasta to the pot, stir to frivolously incorporate.
Transfer the pasta combination right into a the pan or right into a gently greased 2-qt. baking dish; top with last cheese.
Bake at 375 stages F° for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Recipe Notes:

Bread crumb topping (elective)

Region a small skillet on medium warmth with 2 tablespoons butter, then toss in 1 teaspoon minced garlic, stir for approximately 30 seconds and throw in bread crumbs. Saute for about three-4 minutes or till aromatic. Gently season with salt and pepper, if favored. Then pinnacle the mac and cheese with the bread crumbs and bake.

If the usage of an egg (optional)

In a medium bowl, beat egg then add about half cup of the sauce to the egg, go back the egg mixture to the sauce, stirring to combination nicely. continue with the cheese and the proceeding steps.

Cheeses and Cheese Sauce

Don't use pre-shredded bagged cheese as it's far drier. You have to get blocks of it and shred it yourself.
Sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella and jack cheese are my top fave. Or you could additionally use pepper jack cheese, Gouda, fontina and Gruyere.
Extra mozzarella cheese may be delivered for it offers it a nice gooey pull in each chew.
Do now not cook cheese sauce too long.

Upload-ins

You can additionally throw in special components along with garlic herbs, dried mustard, crispy fried onion strings and so forth.
For additonal taste, upload bird breast portions, spinach, and purple bell peppers.

Milk

In case you want to cut down on the calories, use low fats milk in place of evaporated milk and cut lower back on half of of the cheese.
It’s pleasant to heat milk. cold liquid interrupts the cooking method. Heated milk also has a richer taste than cold milk.
To avoid lumps, try including the milk approximately 2-three tablespoons at a time. Whisk until it’s incorporated before including greater. as soon as the can of evaporated milk is all jumbled together, upload in all of the half of and half of straight away.

Make ahead instructions

Mac and Cheese can be made ahead up to the factor of baking, then bake about 30-forty mins before serving, so it’s warm and fresh.
It is able to as nicely be made proper within the morning and bake just before time for dinner.
it can additionally be made beforehand and frozen, however the sauce needs to be kept break free the pasta. blend together the sauce and pasta the day you need to bake.
Reheat in the microwave if there are any leftover then spray the top with oil or butter for moisture.

Greater Baking Notes

Stick to the proper pasta.
You don't cowl baked mac and cheese with foil as it'd steam the inner and save you it from attaining that slightly crusty golden bubbly top.
If making for bigger organizations of human beings, let’s say 15 servings, triple the elements listed.
Inside the absence of cast iron, Mac and Cheese may be baked in an oven secure pan and aluminum baking pans is also an amazing alternative.

Please remember that dietary records is a tough estimate and can vary substantially based on products used.