Easy Homemade Good Ole Fashion Mac And Cheese Recipe That Wows

Good ole fashion mac and cheese whispers nostalgic memories of family dinners and comfort.

Creamy, golden goodness reimagines simple ingredients into something magical and deeply satisfying.

Melted cheeses create a luxurious blanket that hugs each pasta curve with incredible tenderness.

Sophisticated yet unpretentious, this classic dish transcends generations with its universal appeal.

Warm and inviting, mac and cheese represents culinary simplicity at its finest.

Home cooks understand the power of reimagineing basic ingredients into something extraordinary.

Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that promises pure deliciousness.

Why Everyone Keeps Coming Back for This Mac and Cheese

• Indulge in Cheesy Comfort: Discover a classic mac and cheese recipe that wraps you in warmth and nostalgia, delivering rich, creamy goodness with every single bite.
• Masterful Layering Magic: Create delightful depth by carefully alternating buttered macaroni and cheese layers, ensuring maximum flavor distribution and a perfectly balanced texture in each spoonful.
• Quick and Easy Crowd-Pleaser: Whip up this delectable dish in under an hour, making it ideal for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or potluck events where everyone craves a hearty, satisfying meal that brings smiles to the table.

Ingredients That Make This Mac So Rich and Cheesy

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape perfect for holding creamy cheese sauce and providing hearty texture.
• Salted Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create smooth, velvety consistency for the pasta.

• Evaporated Milk, Regular Milk: Creamy liquid base that provides smooth, luxurious texture for mac and cheese.
• Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Sharp and melty cheeses that create deep, complex flavor profile with excellent stretchy texture.
• Large Eggs: Binding agent that helps set the custard-like sauce and provides structure to the dish.

• Garlic Salt: Adds subtle savory depth and enhances overall flavor of the mac and cheese.
• Paprika: Provides a light sprinkling of color and subtle smoky undertone to the dish.
• Non-Stick Cooking Spray: Ensures easy removal of mac and cheese from baking dish and prevents sticking.

How to Cook Old-School Mac and Cheese with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Pasta

Boil a large pot of salted water. Add dry elbow macaroni and cook until al dente for 7-8 minutes. Drain pasta and return to pot. Mix in salted butter until completely melted.

Step 2: Create Liquid Base

• 2 cans evaporated milk
• Regular milk
• 2 large eggs
• Garlic salt

Step 3: Gather Cheese Selection

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Shredded mozzarella cheese

Step 4: Ready Baking Equipment

Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 5: Layer Delicious Ingredients

• 1/3 buttered macaroni
• 1/3 cheese mixture

Repeat layering process, finishing with cheese on top.

Step 6: Add Finishing Touches

Pour egg and milk mixture evenly over layers. Sprinkle paprika across surface for color and flavor.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Let cool for several minutes before serving this comforting classic mac and cheese.

Pro Tips for Gooey, Creamy Mac Success

• Select High-Quality Cheese: Choose freshly grated block cheese instead of pre-shredded varieties for superior melting and richer flavor.
• Balance Cheese Texture: Combine sharp cheddar with creamy mozzarella to create a perfectly smooth and complex cheese sauce.
• Prevent Dry Pasta: Slightly undercook macaroni during boiling since it will continue cooking in the oven, ensuring a moist and creamy final dish.
• Create Silky Sauce: Whisk egg and milk mixture thoroughly to prevent scrambling and guarantee a luxurious, velvety consistency throughout the casserole.
• Maximize Golden Crust: Let mac and cheese rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help cheese set and develop a beautiful golden-brown top layer with crispy edges.

Keeping Mac and Cheese Perfect After Reheating

• Refrigerate: Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Always use clean utensils when transferring to prevent bacterial contamination.
• Freezing: Wrap the mac and cheese tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Frozen mac and cheese maintains best quality for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly. For larger quantities, reheat in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of milk to restore creamy texture and prevent drying out.

What to Serve With Mac and Cheese Classics

• Savor Creamy Comfort Companions: Pair this mac and cheese with crisp white wines like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, which cut through the richness and refresh your palate with their bright acidity.
• Crunch Up Your Comfort: Serve alongside a tangy green salad with apple cider vinaigrette or roasted broccoli to add texture and balance the creamy pasta's heaviness.
• Protein Power Partners: Complement the dish with smoky pulled pork, grilled chicken, or crispy bacon bits to enhance protein content and add an extra layer of savory flavor that elevates the classic mac and cheese experience.
• Cool Down with Zesty Sides: Introduce a pickle platter or quick pickled vegetables as a side to provide a tart, crunchy contrast that helps cleanse your taste buds between cheesy bites.

Fun Mac Add-Ins to Take It Up a Notch

• Spicy Southwest Sensation: Add diced jalapeños, green chiles, and replace some cheddar with pepper jack cheese for a fiery kick. Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top before baking for extra crunch.
• Bacon Lover's Dream: Crisp up chopped bacon and mix throughout the mac and cheese. Incorporate crumbled bacon bits into the cheese layers and sprinkle more on top before baking for intense smoky flavor.
• Gourmet Veggie Blend: Fold in roasted butternut squash, caramelized onions, and sautéed mushrooms. Use a combination of gruyère and sharp white cheddar to elevate the vegetable-packed mac and cheese with rich, complex flavors.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Mix in crumbled feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh chopped basil. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle dried oregano on top before baking to create a Mediterranean-inspired version of the classic dish.

Good Ole Fashion Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Comfort classic mac and cheese delivers homestyle warmth straight from Southern kitchens. Creamy cheddar and tender pasta blend into a nostalgic masterpiece you’ll crave with each comforting, cheesy bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheeses:

• 4 cups (960 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 3 bowls (approximately 340 grams) dry elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons (60 grams) butter with salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cans (12 ounces or 370 milliliters each) evaporated milk
• 0.75 cup (180 milliliters) milk

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon garlic salt

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water, season generously with salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge of elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until tender yet firm. Drain the pasta thoroughly and return to the pot.
2. Melt of salted butter into the warm macaroni, stirring until each pasta strand is coated evenly.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cans (each) of evaporated milk, of whole milk, 2 large eggs, and of garlic salt until smooth and well-incorporated.
4. Create a cheese blend by combining of shredded cheddar cheese and of shredded mozzarella cheese in a separate bowl.
5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly coat a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
6. Begin layering the buttered macaroni and cheese mixture in the baking dish: spread one-third of the pasta, followed by one-third of the cheese blend. Repeat this process two more times, ensuring the top layer is cheese.
7. Carefully pour the milk and egg mixture evenly across the layers, allowing it to seep between the pasta and cheese. Sprinkle of paprika over the surface for added color and subtle flavor.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the edges bubble invitingly.
9. Remove from the oven and let the mac and cheese rest for 5-7 minutes to allow the sauce to set before serving.

Notes

• Cheese selection matters hugely when crafting this classic comfort dish, ensuring rich and creamy texture comes through every delightful bite.
• Layering technique transforms ordinary mac and cheese into an extraordinary culinary experience, creating delectable depth and complex flavor profiles.
• Egg and milk mixture acts as magical binding agent, providing silky smoothness and preventing potential dryness during baking process.
• Buttering pasta before assembling helps prevent sticking while adding extra richness and preventing clumping during preparation.
• Oven temperature and baking duration are critical for achieving that perfect golden-brown crusty top, signaling a masterfully prepared mac and cheese ready to be devoured.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 560 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg