Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 lbelbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup (1 stick)butter, divided
• 1/3 cupall-purpose flour
• 3 cupswhole milk
• 1 cupheavy cream
• 4 cupsshredded sharp cheddar, divided
• 1 cupshredded Colby or Monterey Jack
• 2 largeeggs, beaten
• 1 tspdry mustard
• 1/2 tsppaprika
• 1 tspsalt
• 1/2 tspblack pepper
• 1/2 cuppanko or plain breadcrumbs

Nutrition / serving

No nutrition data for this recipe — tap Nutrition in Ask Chef AI above for an estimate.

Method

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until just al dente, 1-2 minutes less than package directions; drain and set aside.

   ⏱Start 1:00
2. 2

   Melt 6 tbsp butter in a saucepan over medium heat; whisk in flour and cook 1-2 minutes to form a roux.

   ⏱Start 1:00
3. 3

   Gradually whisk in milk and cream; cook, whisking, until thickened and smooth, 5-6 minutes.

   ⏱Start 5:00
4. 4

   Remove from heat and stir in 3 cups cheddar, the Colby, dry mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper, until melted and smooth.

5. 5

   Temper the beaten eggs by whisking in a ladleful of the warm cheese sauce, then stir the egg mixture back into the sauce.

6. 6

   Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce; pour into a buttered 9x13-inch baking dish.

7. 7

   Top with the remaining 1 cup cheddar and the breadcrumbs; dot with the remaining 2 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces.

8. 8

   Bake 30-35 minutes, until the custard is set and the top is golden and bubbling. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

   ⏱Start 30:00⏱Start 10:00