Easy Paula Deen Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe: Comfort Food Magic

Paula Deen’s baked mac and cheese represents the pinnacle of nostalgic comfort cuisine.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this hearty, indulgent classic that transforms humble ingredients into something magical.

Warm, gooey cheese blankets tender pasta in a way that instantly connects generations around the dinner table.

Families treasure these traditional recipes passed down through whispered secrets and cherished handwritten notes.

Rich layers of sharp cheese create a luxurious backdrop for simple macaroni noodles.

Crisp breadcrumb toppings add delightful texture that contrasts beautifully with smooth, melted cheese beneath.

The aroma promises pure culinary satisfaction that will have everyone eagerly gathering around: come hungry and leave happy!

How to Make Paula Deen’s Baked Mac and Cheese

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and give it a quick butter or cooking spray coating to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Boil the elbow macaroni according to package directions until perfectly al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly, then return it to the warm pot to keep things steamy.

Step 3: Create the Cheese Blend

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• American cheese

Stir until the cheeses melt into a gooey, irresistible mixture.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Sauce

• Whole milk
• Sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• Melted butter
• A dash of hot pepper sauce
• Salt

Blend until the mixture looks smooth and silky.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the cheesy pasta into the prepared baking dish. Drench with the creamy sauce, making sure everything gets coated. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top turns golden and the edges bubble with cheesy excitement.

Step 6: Let It Rest

After pulling the mac and cheese from the oven, let it chill for 10 minutes. This allows the sauce to set and makes serving a breeze.

Pro Tips for Paula Deen’s Baked Mac and Cheese

• Melt Cheese Mindfully: Shred your own block cheese for ultra-creamy results. Pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that interrupt smooth melting.
• Rest and Settle Strategically: After baking, wait 10 minutes before serving. This pause helps sauce stabilize and allows flavors to marry perfectly.
• Season Smartly: Sample sauce before combining with pasta. Adjust salt carefully since cheese contributes natural saltiness.
• Cook Pasta Precisely: Boil macaroni just until al dente. Slight firmness prevents mushiness during baking since pasta continues cooking in oven.
• Whisk Thoroughly: Blend milk, sour cream, eggs, butter, and seasonings until completely smooth. Consistent mixing ensures even sauce distribution throughout dish.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Baked Mac and Cheese

• Freeze: Preserve your mac and cheese for up to 2 months by storing it in sturdy, freezer-safe containers. Divide into individual portions for easy thawing and quick reheating. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and maintain the creamy texture.
• Refrigerate: Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep it in the main part of the fridge, not the door, to maintain consistent temperature. Use clear containers to easily track how long it's been stored.
• Reheat: Bring back the dish's original deliciousness by reheating in the oven at 350°F. Add a splash of milk to restore moisture and prevent dryness. Cover with foil to trap steam and ensure even heating, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly.

Creative Twists on Paula Deen’s Baked Mac and Cheese

• Spicy Jalapeño Mac and Cheese: Add diced jalapeños and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture for a fiery kick.
• Bacon Lover's Edition: Crisp up bacon pieces and fold them into the mac and cheese before baking, topping with extra crumbled bacon for crunch.
• Truffle Gourmet Version: Mix in a drizzle of truffle oil and replace some cheddar with gruyère cheese for a luxurious, rich flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Blend: Incorporate fresh chopped basil, oregano, and a handful of crumbled feta cheese to give the classic recipe a Mediterranean-inspired transformation.

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Baked Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese enthusiasts will adore Paula Deen’s legendary recipe, which elevates comfort cuisine to gourmet heights.

Southern charm radiates through each creamy, cheesy bite of this classic dish.

Cheddar and American cheeses meld seamlessly, creating a luxurious texture that delights palates.

Rich milk and sour cream provide silky smoothness, while subtle hot pepper sauce adds unexpected depth.

Baked until golden and bubbling, this mac and cheese promises pure culinary bliss.

Readers who crave comfort and flavor can dive into this recipe, share with friends, comment below, and spread mac and cheese love across social media platforms.

Why Paula Deen’s Baked Mac and Cheese is a Cheesy Dream

• Savor Ultimate Comfort: Dive into a creamy, indulgent mac and cheese that wraps you in warm, cheesy goodness perfect for satisfying serious comfort food cravings.
• Master Simple Gourmet Cooking: Create a restaurant-quality dish with basic ingredients and straightforward steps that make you feel like a professional chef without complicated techniques.
• Enjoy Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Perfectly suited for family dinners, potlucks, holiday gatherings, or weekend meal prep with its rich flavor and hearty texture that appeals to both kids and adults.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Baked Mac and Cheese

Main Ingredients:

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape perfect for holding creamy cheese sauce, choose high-quality pasta for best texture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and flavorful cheese that provides rich base flavor, freshly shredded recommended for best melting.
• American Cheese: Smooth melting cheese that creates extra creamy texture, helps bind sauce together.

Sauce Ingredients:

• Whole Milk: Provides rich, creamy base for sauce, full-fat milk ensures maximum richness.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and extra creaminess to the dish, helps create smooth texture.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps set the casserole and create custard-like consistency.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create smooth sauce, use unsalted for better flavor control.

• Hot Pepper Sauce: Adds subtle heat and depth of flavor, adjust amount based on personal spice preference.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the dish, use kosher or sea salt for best taste.

Paula Deen Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy southern comfort awaits with Paula Deen’s baked mac and cheese, a classic recipe that celebrates rich dairy goodness. Melted cheeses, tender pasta, and a golden-brown crust promise a hearty meal you’ll crave time and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 ml) uncooked elbow macaroni
• 8 ounces (227 grams) cheddar cheese
• 8 ounces (227 grams) American cheese

Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 cup (237 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (118 ml) sour cream
• 2 eggs

Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) bottled hot pepper sauce
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9-by-13-inch (23-by-33 centimeters) baking dish with a light butter coating to prevent sticking.
2. Cook elbow macaroni in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente, ensuring a firm texture. Thoroughly drain the pasta, then return it to the hot saucepan.
3. Rapidly fold shredded cheddar and American cheeses into the steaming macaroni, stirring until the cheeses melt completely and create a smooth, glossy coating.
4. Create a creamy binding mixture by whisking whole milk, sour cream, large eggs, melted unsalted butter, several dashes of hot pepper sauce, and kosher salt until the ingredients form a uniform, silky liquid.
5. Transfer the cheese-coated macaroni into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a consistent layer. Gently pour the milk and egg mixture over the pasta, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and bubbling edges that indicate perfect doneness.
7. Remove from the oven and let the macaroni and cheese rest for 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to set and intensify in flavor before serving.

Notes

• Perfect your pasta precision by cooking macaroni just shy of fully done, ensuring a delightful al dente texture that continues developing in the oven’s warmth.
• Transform your cheese game by hand-shredding a fresh block, unlocking superior melting quality and avoiding the starchy coating of pre-shredded varieties.
• Create a silky-smooth sauce by whisking milk, sour cream, eggs, butter, and seasonings until completely integrated, eliminating any potential lumpy surprises.
• Embrace patience after baking, allowing your mac and cheese to rest for 10 minutes, which helps the sauce set and delivers a more cohesive, restaurant-worthy presentation.
• Trust your taste buds by sampling the sauce before combining, adjusting seasonings subtly while remembering cheese naturally contributes a salty kick.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 720mg
• Fat: 29g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 120mg