Description
This Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Soul Food Style recipe is a rich, creamy, and comforting dish featuring tender elbow macaroni smothered in a gooey blend of sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, enriched with a milk and cream sauce, and baked to golden perfection with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings, this dish embodies soulful Southern flavors with a delightful balance of cheesy goodness and subtle spices like garlic and mustard powder.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and allow for easy serving.
- Cook the macaroni: Prepare the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the cheese sauce base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the whole milk and heavy cream, heating gently until the mixture comes to a simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Season the sauce: Whisk in the garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper to infuse the sauce with flavor.
- Add the cheese: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and smooth, creating a creamy cheese sauce.
- Incorporate the eggs: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs lightly and then gradually add them to the warm cheese sauce, stirring thoroughly to combine and prevent curdling.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until every piece is coated evenly. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add breadcrumb topping and bake: Sprinkle the optional breadcrumbs evenly over the macaroni and cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the breadcrumb topping turns a golden brown, indicating a perfect crust.
Notes
- You can substitute the breadcrumbs with crushed crackers or omit them for a gluten-free version.
- Use whole milk and heavy cream for the creamiest texture, but you can substitute with lower-fat options for a lighter dish.
- Let the baked macaroni and cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce and make slicing easier.
- To add some extra flavor, consider mixing in cooked bacon or sautéed onions before baking.
