Description
This baked mac and cheese recipe inspired by John Legend is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, cheesy, and baked to golden-brown perfection. Combining sharp and mild cheddar cheeses with a velvety milk mixture and tender elbow pasta, it’s a soul-satisfying dish perfect for holidays, potlucks, or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni
2 cups whole milk
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
2 large eggs
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together whole milk, evaporated milk, and eggs until smooth. Stir in salt and pepper.
4. Fold in the cooked macaroni and 3/4 of the combined shredded cheeses. Mix to coat evenly.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese.
6. Dot the top with butter pieces.
7. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
8. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
For extra creaminess, add an additional 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to the top before baking.
Don’t overcook the pasta—al dente works best to avoid a mushy final texture.
You can prepare this a day ahead and refrigerate it before baking. Just let it come to room temperature before placing it in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 120mg