Southern-Style Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Get ready for a Southern classic that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance—Southern-Style Baked Macaroni and Cheese! This ain’t your ordinary mac and cheese, y’all. We’re talking about creamy, cheesy goodness with a golden crust that’ll make your heart skip a beat.
First things first, preheat that oven of yours to a toasty 350 degrees F. We want it nice and ready to work its magic.
Now, let’s get that macaroni cooking. Follow the instructions on the package, cooking those elbow macaroni until they’re perfectly al dente. Once they’re done, drain ’em and set ’em aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt some butter over medium heat. Add the all-purpose flour and whisk away until they come together like old friends. This is the start of something beautiful.
Gradually pour in that whole milk, whisking like there’s no tomorrow. Keep going until the mixture becomes smooth and thickened, coating that whisk with a velvety goodness.
It’s time to bring on the star of the show—the sharp cheddar cheese. Add it in, along with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dry mustard. Give it a good stir until the cheese melts and the mixture becomes velvety smooth, like a warm Southern embrace.
Now, let’s bring everything together. Add those cooked macaroni into that glorious cheese sauce, stirring until each piece is coated in that cheesy goodness. Can you feel the anticipation building?
Pour the macaroni and cheese into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. It’s time to create that irresistible golden crust.
In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle this heavenly mixture over the macaroni and cheese, adding that delightful crunch that’ll make every bite even more satisfying.
Slide that baking dish into the preheated oven and let it work its magic for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the cheese starts bubbling up, tempting you with its irresistible aroma.
Now, gather ’round the table and serve this Southern delight while it’s still warm. The combination of creamy, cheesy goodness and that crispy, golden crust will have everyone asking for seconds. Enjoy every mouthwatering bite, y’all!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until combined.
4. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly, until mixture is smooth and thickened.
5. Add cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dry mustard. Stir until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.
6. Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce and stir until combined.
7. Pour macaroni and cheese into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
8. In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over macaroni and cheese.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until top is golden brown and bubbly.
10. Serve warm and enjoy!