Macaroni has always been my kryptonite. I’ve found dozens of ways to screw it up. My numerous failings have helped me to concoct this incredibly delicious, affordable, ooey gooey Southern mac & cheese recipe. I’ve taken all the best parts of the most popular recipes out there, and made the most heavenly mac & cheeses that you’ll ever have the pleasure of tasting. Be careful with this recipe, because once you bring it to the family get-together, they’ll be begging you to bring it to EVERY get-together.
Ooey Gooey Southern Mac and Cheese
After many failed attempts at mac & cheese, God finally blessed me with my a-ha moment, and I made the best mac and cheese ever. I scoured dozens of recipes, took all the best parts of each one, and came up with this glorious recipe. It's ooey, gooey, melty, creamy, and OH SO cheesy. My family actually loves me a little bit more for it.
Servings: 10
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 8 tbsp butter cubed (save 1 tbsp to butter the pan)
- 4 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Cheese Sauce
- 2 cups evaporated milk
- 1/2 block Velveeta cheese cubed
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp dry mustard
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
Custard
- 1 cup half & half
- 2 eggs
Shredded Cheese
- 20 oz mild cheddar freshly shredded
- 10 oz shredded mozzarella I use Kraft brand w/ a touch of Philadelphia
Instructions
- Cook elbow macaroni to the box directions, BUT minus 2 minutes. I cook mine for 5 minutes. Strain and return to their cooking pot.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
Make cheese sauce
- Heat a medium/large sauce pan to low-medium heat. Add evaporated milk.
- Once evaporated milk is warmed through, add Velvet cheese cubes. Stir until melted.
- Whisk in grated parmesan until melted.
- Whisk in salt paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, and nutmeg.
- Once cheese sauce is smooth, remove from heat.
Make custard
- In a medium bowl, whisk together half & half and eggs
- Slowly add the half & half egg mixture to the cheese sauce, whisking vigorously to ensure that the egg doesn’t cook/scramble.
Prep macaroni & Bake
- Add 7 TBSP butter, sour cream, and cream cheese to strained, cooked elbow macaroni. Mix together until combined.
- Use 1 TBSP butter to grease a 9x13 pan. Layer ingredients in this order:* 1/2 macaroni mixture* 1/2 cheese custard* 1/2 shredded cheese mixture* remaining macaroni mixture* remaining cheese custard* remaining shredded cheese mixture
- Bake for 30-40 minutes. Top should be golden brown and bubbly.