Description
Creamy, comforting good old fashion mac and cheese brings classic American comfort to your dinner table. Cheesy pasta layers meld perfectly with golden breadcrumb topping, promising a nostalgic culinary experience you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 3 cups dry elbow macaroni
- 2 large eggs
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons (60 ml) salted butter
- 2 cans (370 ml/12 ounces) evaporated milk
- 1/3 cup milk of choice
Seasonings:
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with a light cooking spray.
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil, then cook macaroni until perfectly tender.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the pot, gently stirring in butter until fully melted and coating each noodle.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together evaporated milk, regular milk, eggs, and garlic salt until smooth and fully integrated.
- Separately, combine the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses in another bowl, creating a rich, blended cheese mixture.
- Create the first foundation layer in the prepared baking dish by spreading one-third of the buttered macaroni across the bottom.
- Generously sprinkle one-third of the mixed cheese over the pasta layer, ensuring even coverage.
- Repeat the layering process twice more, building alternating strata of macaroni and cheese.
- Carefully pour the creamy milk mixture evenly across the entire surface, allowing it to seep between the layers.
- Dust the top with a light sprinkle of paprika for added color and subtle flavor complexity.
- Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and bubbling edges.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose high-quality sharp cheddar and fresh mozzarella for a rich, complex flavor profile that elevates the classic mac and cheese.
- Cook Pasta Perfectly: Ensure macaroni is al dente to prevent mushy texture, as it will continue cooking in the oven during baking.
- Temperature Control: Let the mac and cheese rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier without falling apart.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular pasta with gluten-free macaroni and use cornstarch instead of flour to make this dish celiac-friendly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg