Top Winning Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe!

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat cheddar cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Low-fat cheddar reduces calories while processed cheese melts better.

monterey jack cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: colby cheese

Part-skim mozzarella is lower in fat, while colby is often less expensive.

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt adds creaminess with fewer calories, while sour cream is often cheaper.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier, while margarine can be a cheaper substitute.

Cook 1 pound of elbow macaroni noodles in kosher salted water until al dente; drain and set aside, ensuring to remove as much water as possible.

Transfer the drained macaroni to a baking dish and add 1 stick of Kerrygold butter to coat the noodles; set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt 1 stick of Kerrygold butter over medium heat to make a roux.

Whisk in 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and cook until the raw flour taste is gone, about 2-3 minutes.

Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of whole milk while continuously mixing to avoid lumps; then add 1 cup of half-and-half.

Continue mixing until the mixture thickens, then add in 8 ounces of cream cheese, 8 ounces of Monterey Jack, 8 ounces of white cheddar, 8 ounces of sharp cheddar, 16 ounces of Velveeta, and 8 ounces of mozzarella cheese, stirring until melted and combined.

Add 1/2 cup of sour cream to the cheese mixture and mix well.

Season the cheese sauce with 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 tablespoon of seasoned salt, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of Creole seasoning, and 2 1/2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk; mix until well combined.

Add the remaining 1/2 cup of whole milk to the cheese sauce to adjust the consistency if needed.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Add 3 large eggs directly onto the cooked macaroni and mix to ensure the eggs coat the noodles.

Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni, mixing well to combine.

Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens