Description
Paula Deen’s Baked Mac and Cheese combines creamy cheeses and a golden, crispy topping for ultimate comfort. Hearty pasta layers merge with rich dairy goodness, promising a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 8 oz (227 g) cheddar cheese
- 8 oz (227 g) American cheese
- 1 cup (237 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (118 ml) sour cream
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter
- 1 tsp (5 ml) hot pepper sauce, bottled
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Pasta Cooking: Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain and return to the hot saucepan, maintaining optimal pasta texture.
- Cheese Integration: Swiftly incorporate shredded cheddar and American cheeses into the steaming macaroni, creating a luxurious, velvety cheese coating that envelops each pasta piece.
- Creamy Binding: Whisk together whole milk, sour cream, large eggs, melted unsalted butter, hot pepper sauce, and kosher salt until a smooth, homogeneous liquid forms, providing rich depth and binding properties.
- Assembly and Baking: Spread the cheese-drenched macaroni evenly in the prepared dish, then gently pour the milk-egg mixture over the top, ensuring complete coverage; bake for 35-40 minutes until the surface turns golden-brown and edges bubble with appetizing intensity.
- Resting and Serving: Allow the baked mac and cheese to rest for 10 minutes, letting the sauce set and flavors meld, creating a decadent, creamy masterpiece ready to be savored.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, sharp cheddar and creamy American cheese for maximum flavor depth and smooth texture.
- Pasta Texture is Key: Cook macaroni just to al dente to prevent mushy results and maintain a pleasant bite in the final dish.
- Mixing Technique Crucial: Fold cheese into hot pasta immediately to create a seamless, glossy cheese coating that enhances overall taste.
- Resting Period Essential: Allow the baked mac and cheese to rest for 10 minutes, which helps the sauce thicken and flavors meld perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg