Classic Mac Cheese Southern Living Feb 2007

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Classic Southern Living Mac and Cheese recipe from February 2007, a soul-warming twist on the traditional favorite. Featuring al dente elbow macaroni coated in a velvety cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, Colby-Jack, and a hint of smoked paprika, this dish is baked to perfection with a golden topping of crunchy panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan. The addition of tempered eggs creates a luxuriously creamy texture, while a blend of ground mustard and black pepper balances the richness with a subtle tang. Ready in under an hour, this crowd-pleasing casserole is perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or as a decadent weeknight treat. Serve it warm and watch it disappear!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups Elbow macaroni
• 0.25 cup Butter
• 0.25 cup All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Whole milk
• 0.5 cup Half-and-half
• 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Colby-Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground mustard
• 0.25 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 2 large Eggs, beaten
• 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 as needed Cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, forming a roux. Gradually pour in the milk and half-and-half, whisking constantly to ensure a smooth mixture.

Step 4

Cook the milk mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens and gently bubbles (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Step 5

Stir the cheddar cheese, Colby-Jack cheese, salt, black pepper, ground mustard, and smoked paprika into the milk mixture until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk the beaten eggs. Slowly add a few tablespoons of the hot cheese sauce into the eggs while whisking to temper them. Then, stir the tempered egg mixture back into the cheese sauce.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni and cheese sauce, tossing until the macaroni is evenly coated.

Step 8

Pour the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.

Step 11

Remove the dish from the oven and let the mac and cheese cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1384.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3410.0

Total Fat 204.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 118.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.6g
Cholesterol 981.0mg	0%
Sodium 5722.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 239.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.4g	0%
Total Sugars 38.1g
Protein 159.6g	0%

Vitamin D 375.7IU	0%
Calcium 3427.9mg	0%
Iron 14.6mg	0%
Potassium 1400.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.5%

Protein: 18.6%

Carbs: 27.9%