Description
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish perfect for family dinners and special occasions. Golden on top, rich beneath, this recipe brings warmth and love to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400g elbow macaroni
- 50g unsalted butter
- 50g all-purpose flour
- 600ml whole milk
- 200ml double cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 200g sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 100g Gruyère cheese, grated
- 50g Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 50g breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Cook macaroni until al dente. Drain.
- Melt butter, whisk in flour, cook 1–2 minutes.
- Add milk & cream slowly, whisking until smooth.
- Season with mustard, paprika, salt, pepper. Stir in cheeses.
- Mix sauce with pasta and transfer to baking dish.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter; sprinkle on top with reserved cheddar.
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes.
- Cool slightly and serve warm.
Notes
- Add cream cheese for extra creaminess.
- Mix cheeses for depth: cheddar, Gruyère, Parmesan.
- Toast breadcrumbs with butter for a crunchy topping.
- Make ahead: assemble, cover, refrigerate up to 24 hrs, then bake.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 80mg