If you like macaroni and cheese, but you're a little tired of the blue box, this is simple, but seems so hard to make. I came across this recipe after my grandmother and my father were asking what I would bring to Thanksgiving dinner with the family. All righty, first things first, as a black person I know I DO NOT want to be the person with the nasty potluck dish at the party. Everyone has that one aunt who makes the crunchy, bland potato salad, I would be damned if I bring the nasty mac n cheese. As a result, I looked everywhere for a southern style macaroni and cheese; I looked on Google, AllRecipes, and lastly Pinterest. When I looked on Pinterest John Legend's recipe kept popping up, I looked over the ingredients and saw that it wasn't filled with too many things. I think I paid a little less than $20 for all of the ingredients.
Shopping List:
16 oz package of Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
8 oz package of Monterey Jack Cheese
Box of Elbow Macaroni
24 oz. Evaporated Milk
Skim Milk
Large Eggs (you'll need two for the recipe)
Seasoning Salt
Garlic Powder
Paprika
Salt
Ground Pepper
Prep:
16 oz. package of extra-sharp cheddar cheese * 8 oz. package of Monterey Jack cheese * 4 Tablespoons of unsalted butter * 3 Cups of macaroni * 24 oz. can of evaporated milk * 1/3 Cup of skim milk * 2 large eggs * 1/2 teaspoon of seasoned salt * 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder * Paprika * Salt and ground pepper
Start by preheating your oven to 375 and getting a pot of water boiling for the macaroni. While that's warming up, whisk together your evaporated milk, skim milk, and eggs. Once combined, add in your seasoned salt, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
At this point your water is probably boiling, so you can add the macaroni and cook until al dente.
Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add your butter and coat the pasta in butter until it has completely melted. This is mac and cheese is richer than Bill Gates.
Grease your 9x13 baking dish and put a third of your macaroni on the bottom.
Then cover that macaroni with a third of your cheese. Keep adding the macaroni and cheese layers until the pan is completely full, don't forget to leave a little bit of cheese for the top.
Pour in your milk mixture evenly over the entire pan.
Sprinkle paprika on top and stick in the oven for 35-45 minutes (or until the top is slightly browned).
My family loved the macaroni, I had to leave the Thanksgiving party early, but I left the mac and cheese there. Everyone called me and told me how delicious it was, my grandmother and my father were fighting over the last portion. I will be making this again for a potluck.