Name: Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Soul Food Style Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Soul Food
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni; 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup whole milk; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/4 cup butter; 2 eggs, beaten; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon mustard powder; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Description

This Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Soul Food Style is a rich, creamy, and cheesy casserole featuring a blend of sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses combined with a flavorful seasoned cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, this classic soul food dish is baked to golden perfection with an optional breadcrumb topping for added crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

1 lb elbow macaroni

Cheese Sauce

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon mustard powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Topping (Optional)

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Cook Pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the whole milk and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Season Sauce: Whisk in the garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper to infuse flavor into the creamy mixture.
Add Cheese: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Incorporate Eggs: Beat the eggs in a separate bowl, then quickly mix them into the warm cheese sauce to thicken and enrich it.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the cooked macaroni thoroughly into the cheese sauce until evenly coated, then pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the optional breadcrumbs evenly over the top for a crunchy crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.

Notes

For extra creaminess, use whole milk and heavy cream as indicated; you may substitute half-and-half but the sauce will be slightly less rich.
Breadcrumb topping is optional but adds a nice crunchy texture contrast.
Feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for a spicy Southern twist.
Leftovers store well refrigerated and can be reheated in the oven for best texture.
Use sharp cheddar for bold flavor; mild cheddar will produce a less intense taste.