Creamy, Cheesy Southern Mac & Cheese
Baked mac and cheese: master this creamy, cheesy Southern classic. Perfect for family dinners and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 1 pound short-cut pasta
- 2 1/4 cups whole milk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup sour cream or plain greek yogurt
- 2-3 teaspoons cajun seasoning (optional)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- fresh basil or parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the milk, beaten eggs, sour cream, and cajun seasoning (or 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper).
- Add the cooked pasta, salted butter, shredded cheddar cheese, and 2 cups of the shredded Colby Jack cheese to the milk mixture. Mix everything until well combined.
- Pour the pasta mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Colby Jack cheese over the top. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Switch the oven to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely, until the top is golden and slightly crispy.
- Serve the mac and cheese immediately, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and a sprinkle of black pepper. Enjoy!
Notes
- For the ultimate creamy texture, ensure your whole milk and sour cream are at room temperature before mixing, which helps prevent curdling and promotes a smoother sauce.
- To achieve that signature crispy, golden top, don't be shy with the broiling step, but watch it very closely – cheese can go from perfect to burnt in seconds!
- Leftover baked mac and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through, adding a splash of milk to restore creaminess if needed. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.
- To achieve that signature crispy, golden top, don't be shy with the broiling step, but watch it very closely – cheese can go from perfect to burnt in seconds!
- Leftover baked mac and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through, adding a splash of milk to restore creaminess if needed. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.