Southern Macaroni and Cheese

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5 from 23 votes

Classic Southern mac and cheese recipe with real cheese

Prep Time9

Cook Time10

Total Time19

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: cups

Calories: 503kcal

Author: Anecia Hero

Ingredients

1 lb. large elbow noodles
16 oz. Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 stick butter , salted or unsalted
2¼ cups milk , 2% or whole : See Recipe Notes: Milk
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp. onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tsp. dried mustard
½ tsp. ground white pepper
1½ teaspoon white vinegar
½ tsp. Louisiana hot sauce (optional)
salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Prep

Shred cheese; set aside
Get milk out of the fridge to sit at room temperature
16 oz. Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
Prepare elbow noodles in a large stock pot; cook for 9 minutes; drain and return to stockpot
1 lb. large elbow noodles

Cheese Sauce Instructions

In a large pan on low heat, add butter; once butter has melted, gradually add flour; whisk continuously until combined then gradually add milk, whisking constntly
1 stick butter, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 2¼ cups milk
Add onion powder, dried mustard, vinegar, salt, ground white pepper, garlic powder and Louisiana hot sauce (optional); combine well
½ tsp. onion powder, 1 tsp. dried mustard, ½ tsp. ground white pepper, 1½ teaspoon white vinegar, ½ tsp. Louisiana hot sauce (optional), salt and black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Pour cheese sauce over cooked pasta; combine and taste for salt; add more if desired transfer to a lightly oiled baking dish and bake or serve from the stovetop. (See recipe notes for Baking)

Notes

Milk:

The amount of milk determines how thick or thin the cheese sauce will be. After you melt the butter and add the flour, add one cup of milk. Then add shredded cheese in increments. At this point, the mixture may be thicker than you like. If so, add more milk until you get the cheese sauce as thick as you like it.

It's best to add the milk in half or one-cup increments.

Baked Mac and Cheese:

If you want to bake it, you can either bake it covered or uncovered. You'll want to lightly spray an oven proof baking dish with oil then transfer the combined noodles and cheese sauce to the baking dish.

If you bake it uncovered, the top will be slightly firmer than if you cover the baking dish with foil. Bake covered or uncovered at 350°F for up to 20 minutes on the middle rack.

Au gratin topping:

If you want a crispy crunchy bread topping, combine breadcrumbs and melted butter in a mixing bowl. I use this ratio: 1 cup breadcrumbs to 1/2 stick of melted butter

Pour the mac and cheese into a prepared baking dish; sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top and bake, uncovered at 350°F until the top is a light golden brown OR place under the broiler for a few minutes. (Keep an eye on it...)

Nutrition