Description
A heartwarming comfort food dish that combines creamy cheeses and al dente pasta for a rich, flavorful experience, perfect for gatherings and cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, approximately 6-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, whisking continuously for about 1 minute until it forms a paste.
- Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking to prevent lumps. Continue to stir until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Remove the sauce from heat and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and creamy.
- Pour the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring every piece is coated in cheesiness.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with a bit of melted butter and sprinkle generously over the mac and cheese.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let the dish cool slightly before serving and enjoy!
Notes
For added flavor, consider mixing in diced ham or swapping out spinach for kale.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: macaroni and cheese, comfort food, southern recipe, baked pasta