Southern Soul Oven Mac Cheese (Printable)

Creamy cheddar mac topped with golden crust, delivering a rich and comforting Southern-inspired dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 pound elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
03 - 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
04 - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
05 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 3 cups whole milk
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Topping

15 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
16 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni until just al dente, approximately 1 minute less than package instructions. Drain and reserve.
03 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
04 - Slowly whisk in milk and cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook until slightly thickened, approximately 4-5 minutes.
05 - Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, and mozzarella cheeses, reserving 1 cup cheddar for topping. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
07 - Add drained macaroni to cheese sauce and mix until evenly coated.
08 - Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with reserved sharp cheddar cheese.
09 - Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top for additional crunch and texture.
10 - Bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top.
11 - Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving to set the structure.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The three-cheese blend hits different because sharp cheddar brings bite, Colby Jack adds smoothness, and mozzarella makes it stretch beautifully.
  • That golden, crispy top contrasts with the creamy center in a way that feels like edible comfort.
  • It comes together in an hour and feeds a crowd, which makes you look like you've been cooking all day.
02 -
  • If your sauce breaks or looks grainy, it's usually because the heat was too high when you added cheese—start over with a fresh pot if this happens, because salvaging it is harder than beginning again.
  • Don't skip the resting time before serving; it changes everything about the texture and how the dish tastes.
03 -
  • Shred your cheese from blocks if you can—pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that sometimes make the sauce feel slightly grainy instead of smooth.
  • If you want deeper flavor, stir in a teaspoon of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne right before baking, or add crumbled bacon and diced ham if you're feeding meat-lovers.
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