Description
Comfort classics reach new heights with this good old fashion mac and cheese, blending rich cheddar and creamy textures into a soul-warming dish. Cheesy pasta perfection delivers nostalgic flavors that draw families together around the dinner table, promising delicious memories in every comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 3 cups dry elbow macaroni
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 (370 milliliters/12 ounces) cans evaporated milk
- 1/3 cup milk of choice
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 large eggs
Seasonings:
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook macaroni until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Drain pasta thoroughly and return to the pot. Incorporate butter, stirring until completely melted and coating each noodle.
- Whisk evaporated milk, regular milk, eggs, and garlic salt in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well integrated.
- Combine cheddar and mozzarella cheeses in a separate bowl, creating a rich, mixed cheese blend.
- Create alternating layers in the prepared baking dish: spread one-third of the macaroni, followed by one-third of the cheese mixture. Repeat this layering process two more times.
- Carefully pour the milk mixture evenly across the top, ensuring complete coverage of the pasta and cheese layers.
- Dust the surface with a light sprinkle of paprika for added color and subtle flavor enhancement.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and bubbling edges that indicate perfect doneness.
- Allow the mac and cheese to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps set the creamy texture before serving.
Notes
- Choose elbow macaroni with ridges to help cheese sauce cling better and create more delicious texture.
- Grate cheese freshly instead of using pre-shredded varieties for smoother, creamier melting and richer flavor profile.
- Avoid overcooking pasta during initial boiling to prevent mushy texture when baking; aim for firm al dente consistency.
- Experiment with cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, gruyere, or fontina for more complex and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 722
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 27 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg