:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Style-Mac-n-Cheese-FT-RECIPE1125-2bb78d43cdb541bc8781c25de9725437.jpg)
Southern-Style Mac 'n' Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 tbspunsalted butter
softened
- 3 cheavy whipping cream
- 1 ½ cwhole milk
- 3fresh bay leaves
- 2 tspkosher salt
divided
- ¾ tspblack pepper
divided
- 1 lbuncooked elbow macaroni
- 3 largeeggs
- 8 ozcream cheese
softened
- 2 tspdry mustard
- 1 lbextra-sharp cheddar cheese
shredded, about 4 cups
- 8 ozcolby-jack cheese
shredded, divided, about 2 cups
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F with the rack positioned 6 inches from upper oven heating element. Rub butter all over inside of a 13- x 9-inch metal or ceramic baking dish, or large cast iron pan; set aside.
- 2
Place a large strainer over a large heatproof bowl. Stir together cream, milk, bay leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium. Stir in pasta; return to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until almost al dente, about 4 minutes. Pour pasta through strainer, letting cream mixture strain into heatproof bowl; remove and discard bay leaves. Reserve 1 1/2 cups strained cream mixture; discard remaining cream mixture, or reserve for another use. Set aside.
- 3
Gently whisk eggs in a large heatproof bowl. If reserved cream mixture is no longer hot to the touch, microwave on medium (50% power) until hot but not boiling, 30 to 60 seconds. Slowly pour or ladle about 1/2 cup warm cream mixture into eggs, whisking quickly and constantly, until eggs are warm and tempered. Whisk in cream cheese, mustard, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper (mixture will be chunky). Add remaining 1 cup warm cream mixture and whisk to combine. Add cheddar and whisk until cheese starts to melt but some solids remain. Add cooked pasta; fold to combine. Pour half of the pasta mixture (about 4 cups) into prepared baking dish or cast iron pan. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups Colby-Jack. Spread remaining pasta mixture over Colby-Jack. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- 4
Bake until bubbling around edges, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully remove foil. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Colby-Jack and return to oven. Increase oven temperature to broil; broil until cheese is browned in spots, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Let cool until pasta mixture is set and firm, about 10 minutes. Serve warm.
Southern-Style Mac 'n' Cheese
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Craving the ultimate creamy, cheesy mac 'n' cheese that tastes like a warm hug from the South? This Southern-Style Mac 'n' Cheese recipe is your answer, delivering an unparalleled depth of flavor perfect for any gathering, especially your Thanksgiving table.
What truly sets this recipe apart is its masterful blend of cheeses—extra-sharp cheddar for that classic tang, Colby-Jack for its melt-in-your-mouth texture, and cream cheese for an unbelievably smooth, rich body. The inclusion of fresh bay leaves and a hint of dry mustard are the secret weapons, building layers of sophisticated flavor that elevate this classic side dish far beyond the ordinary.
Prepare for a truly indulgent experience. You'll find perfectly cooked elbow macaroni bathed in a luxurious, deeply savory cheese sauce that's both creamy and satisfyingly rich. The combination of heavy whipping cream and whole milk creates a velvety base, while the eggs ensure a beautiful, custardy set. The subtle aromatic notes from the bay leaves and the gentle bite from the dry mustard enhance the complex cheese profile without overpowering it. This generously portioned recipe yields 10 servings, making it ideal for sharing, and takes about 1 hour to prepare, delivering a hearty 737 calories per serving.
While this Southern-Style Mac 'n' Cheese shines brightest as-is, you have options for customization. For a different nuanced flavor, consider swapping a portion of the Colby-Jack for Monterey Jack. If you prefer a slightly less sharp cheese profile, you can adjust the ratio of extra-sharp cheddar to Colby-Jack to your liking. Feel free to experiment with other short, sturdy pasta shapes like cavatappi or medium shells if elbow macaroni isn't on hand.
This rich and comforting dish is designed to be the star side dish of your holiday spread, especially Thanksgiving, complementing roasted meats and other festive fare beautifully. It's the kind of mac 'n' cheese that brings everyone back for seconds.