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Crispy Southern-Style Baked Mac and Cheese

crispy Southern-style baked mac and cheese - featured image
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A comforting Southern-style baked mac and cheese featuring a creamy cheese sauce and a crispy golden breadcrumb topping, perfect for quick and easy comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340g) elbow macaroni
  • 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups (720ml) whole milk, warmed
  • 3 cups (340g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (113g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup (50g) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter your 9×13-inch baking dish lightly to prevent sticking. Boil a large pot of salted water.
  2. Add 12 ounces (340g) elbow macaroni to boiling water and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons (57g) of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour and stir constantly for about 2 minutes until bubbling and golden.
  4. Slowly pour in 3 cups (720ml) warmed whole milk while whisking continuously. Bring to a gentle simmer and thicken for about 5 minutes.
  5. Remove sauce from heat and stir in 3 cups (340g) sharp cheddar, 1 cup (113g) mozzarella, and 1/2 cup (50g) Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  6. Mix the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce in a large bowl or pot, stirring gently to coat evenly.
  7. Toss 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter until evenly coated.
  8. Pour the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
  10. Let the baked mac and cheese sit for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven before serving.

Notes

Warm the milk before adding to the roux to prevent lumps. Use a whisk for a smooth sauce. Watch baking time to avoid burning the topping; tent with foil if browning too fast. Al dente pasta holds up better after baking. Panko breadcrumbs tossed with oil or butter create a perfect crunchy crust. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. Dairy-free options include almond or oat milk and dairy-free cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked mac and cheese, Southern-style, crispy topping, creamy cheese sauce, comfort food, easy dinner, macaroni and cheese

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/crispy-southern-style-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe-for-easy-comfort-food/