Nothing Beats Southern Living's Million Dollar Mac And Cheese

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Be prepared to disappoint some people, because if they don't get to it fast enough, there will be no million dollar macaroni and cheese left for them to eat. Or better yet—make extra! This mac and cheese recipe is indulgent, decadent, creamy, and cheesy in the best possible ways. It’s luxurious and comforting, and it did not last long in the Southern Living Test Kitchen so you know it won't last in yours.

Million Dollar Macaroni And Cheese - Southern Living
Photo:

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 5 mins
Servings:
10
ingredients for million dollar macaroni and cheese

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (4 oz.) unsalted butter, softened, divided

  • 3/4 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs)

  • 2 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup)

  • 1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning

  • 2 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided

  • 1/4 cup (about 1 1/8 oz.) all-purpose flour

  • 2 1/2 cups warm whole milk (about 110°F)

  • 1 1/2 cups warm half-and-half (about 110°F)

  • 2 tsp. dry mustard (such as Colman’s)

  • 1 tsp. garlic powder

  • 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

  • 8 oz. sharp yellow Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)

  • 4 oz. smoked Gouda cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)

  • 8 oz. Colby-Jack cheese, shredded (about 2 cups), divided

  • 1 (16-oz.) pkg. short, curly pasta (such as cavatappi or elbow), cooked to al dente according to pkg. directions

  • 8 oz. low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 cups), divided

Directions

  1. Prepare oven and baking dish:

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter.

    baking dish coated with butter - Southern Living

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

  2. Make panko topping:

    Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium. Stir in panko; cook, stirring often, until lightly golden and toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer toasted panko to a small bowl; let cool completely, about 10 minutes. Once cooled, stir in Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt; set aside. Wipe skillet clean. 

    panko topping for Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese - Southern Living

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

  3. Make roux:

    Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium. Whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, until bubbly, light brown in color, and toasty in aroma, about 2 minutes.

    making roux in skillet for macaroni and cheese

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

  4. Add milk and half-and-half:

    Gradually add milk and half-and-half to skillet; cook, whisking constantly, until smooth. Cook over medium, whisking often, until mixture comes to a simmer and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 4 to 5 minutes.

    sauce for macaroni and cheese - Southern Living

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

  5. Add seasonings and cheeses:

    Remove skillet from heat; whisk in dry mustard, garlic powder, cayenne, and remaining 2 teaspoons salt until well combined. Gradually whisk in Cheddar, Gouda, and 1 cup of the Colby-Jack cheese, 1 cup at a time, until melted and smooth.

    cheese sauce for Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese - Southern Living

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

  6. Fill baking dish:

    Stir cooked pasta into mixture in skillet until evenly coated. Spread half of pasta mixture (about 5 cups) into prepared baking dish; top evenly with 1 cup of the mozzarella and 1/2 cup of the Colby-Jack cheese. Top evenly with remaining pasta mixture (about 5 cups); sprinkle evenly with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Colby-Jack cheese.

    macaroni and cheese topped with cheese

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

  7. Add panko topping:

    Sprinkle reserved panko mixture evenly over pasta mixture.

    panko topping on macaroni and cheese

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

  8. Bake macaroni and cheese:

    Bake in preheated oven until pasta mixture is bubbly around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes, loosely covering with aluminum foil to prevent overbrowning, if needed. Let stand on a wire rack at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

    baked million dollar macaroni and cheese - Southern Living

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

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