New Orleans Baked Macaroni and Cheese from scratch | New and improved recipe

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: colby cheese

Colby cheese offers similar flavor at a lower cost.

monterey jack cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: mozzarella

Mozzarella is often less expensive and still melts well.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Margarine can be a more affordable fat substitute.

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Shred 16 ounces of long macaroni cheese, 8 ounces of gouda cheese, and 8 ounces of monterey jack cheese.

Reserve 3 ounces of extra sharp cheddar cheese, 1 ounce of gouda cheese, 1 ounce of monterey jack cheese, and 1 ounce of parmesan cheese for topping.

Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil and add 3 teaspoons of salt.

Add long macaroni to boiling water and simmer for 10-14 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Drain macaroni in a mesh strainer and let cool completely without rinsing.

In a medium pot, combine 3 cups of evaporated milk, 1/3 cup of sour cream, 5 ounces of cream cheese, and 6 tablespoons of melted salted butter over medium-low heat.

Add seasonings: 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon Chef Paul Prudhomme's Magic seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder; stir to combine and warm for about 3 minutes.

Add 13 ounces of shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese, 7 ounces of gouda cheese, 7 ounces of monterey jack cheese, and 1 ounce of parmesan cheese to the pot; stir continuously until melted and the sauce thickens (about 4 minutes).

Optional: whisk in 2 large eggs after removing from heat.

Let cheese sauce cool for about 15 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine reserved cheeses and 1/8 teaspoon salt for topping; stir to combine.

Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 10x13 inch deep dish glass pan.

Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce and stir to combine; pour half into the baking pan.

Sprinkle half of the cheese topping mixture over the macaroni.

Add the remaining macaroni and top with the rest of the cheese mixture.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool for about an hour before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens