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Creamiest Southern Mac and Cheese for Your Graduation Party

Close-up of baked Southern mac and cheese in a white dish, featuring a golden, crispy breadcrumb topping.
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This recipe delivers the ultimate comfort food anchor for your graduation open house: a rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying Southern mac and cheese that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to create a roux.
  4. Gradually whisk in the warm milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes. Do not let it boil rapidly.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper.
  6. Add the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and cubed cream cheese to the sauce. Stir until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This is your base for the best macaroni and cheese.
  7. Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until every piece is coated. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  8. In a small bowl, toss the panko breadcrumbs with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the macaroni mixture.
  9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving this crowd pleasing side.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, use a blend of high-quality, aged cheeses. Shred the cheese yourself instead of buying pre-shredded for the creamiest melt.
  • If you want a richer color, add 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard powder to the cheese sauce.
  • This dish is excellent made ahead; cover and refrigerate after assembling (before the topping). Add 10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://purecookingjoy.com/southern-mac-and-cheese-for-graduation/

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