Double Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword best-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe, double-cheddar-macaroni-cheese, southern-style-macaroni-and-cheese

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1 5

Servings servings

Calories 733kcal

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
Cook the macaroni in salted water per the package directions until al dente. Drain well, pour into a mixing bowl and set aside.
Mix the two flavors of shredded cheese together. Set aside.
In a medium-size heavy bottomed saucepan or pot melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat.
To the melted butter add the flour, salt, Dijon and black pepper. Mix until the flour has been absorbed by the butter stirring constantly.
Increase the temperature to medium-high and gradually whisk in the milk. Whisk constantly to prevent clumping. Bring to a boil then immediately lower the heat to low. Simmer for 3-5 minutes gently bubbling stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Turn off the heat. Add the cream cheese to the sauce. Stir until melted.
Remove from the heat, add 3 cups of the shredded cheese mix. Stir until melted. Pour the sauce over the macaroni. Stir until evenly coated.
Pour 1/2 into the baking dish. Top with 1 cup shredded cheese. Repeat with macaroni then top with the final 1 cup of shredded cheese. Dot the top with 2 Tbsp butter.
Place into the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden and the edges are bubbly.
Serve immediately.

Pasta - When making this particular cheesy macaroni and cheese recipe I chose jumbo elbow macaroni just to switch things up a bit. You could adapt this southern baked mac recipe using any medium size pasta such as classic elbow macaroni, shells, rotini, penne or ziti.
Cheese Variations - The sky's the limit with cheese combinations you can make your own cheese blend. I use two kinds of cheddar in the homemade cheese sauce in this recipe but you could use swiss cheese, gruyere cheese, colby jack cheese, monterey jack cheese, mozzarella cheese or even pepper jack cheese for spice.
Spices - You could add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce for spice.
Breadcrumb Topping - Can you top macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs? Yes, you can. Toss 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs, crushed cracker crumbs or fresh breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese and sprinkle it on top before baking.