I bake this pan when the weather says bring a sweater. The noodles sit tender. The sauce turns rich. The whole kitchen smells like a hug. I learned from a family potluck where the dish vanished fast and the aunt with the sharp elbows asked for seconds before the timer even beeped. We laughed. We scraped the corners. We left no crumb behind. This baked mac and cheese recipe leans cozy and simple. I call it my mac and cheese recipe paula deen nod since it tips a hat to that Sunday style. It is a baked macaroni and cheese recipe that uses a slow melt and a gentle stir. I keep it calm. I whisk. I fold. The spoon glides. Each bite lands creamy and warm. Kids grin. Grown ups relax. I do too. You can pull this easy macaroni and cheese recipe on a weeknight. You can serve it for a game day. I put it on repeat with other paula deen recipes I admire. Someone once asked for a cheese it recipe twist so I crumbled a few on top and the browning turned playful. Bake. Rest. Scoop. That is the move. If you steal a forkful from the corner I will not tell.

1 Key Takeaways
2 Easy Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
3 Ingredients for Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese
4 How to Make Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese
5 Tips for Making Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese
6 Making Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese Ahead of Time
7 Storing Leftover Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese
8 Try these Main Course next
9 Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese
10 Nutrition

1 Key Takeaways

I am Lila from Lila Cooks at https://www.lilacooks.com. I bake this for family nights when we want warm cheese and tender pasta. The dish feels friendly and steady. The pan leaves the oven with a golden top and a soft middle. We scoop and smile.

This plate uses pantry milk and a gentle whisk. The sauce hugs each elbow. The bake time stays short. Clean up stays light. You get creamy oven baked mac and cheese with a mild kick and a crisp crown.

Leftovers hold well for lunches. The recipe invites swaps for cheese blends or crumbs. Kids like the mild taste. Grown ups add a pinch of heat. The goal stays the same. Comfort in a bowl.

2 Easy Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe

This baked mac and cheese recipe brings calm to a busy day. This baked mac and cheese recipe tastes rich yet clean. I keep the process short. I lean on simple steps that never fight you. Water boils. Butter melts. Cheese softens. The kitchen smells like a hug. I learned this flow after many pans and many forks that tested the corners for crunch.

We call this our mac and cheese for guests who want seconds. The texture lands between spoonable and sliceable. The top sets with a tender crunch. The middle holds a gentle custard. Classic baked mac and cheese shows up with cheddar pull and steam that fogs a lens. The mood stays cozy and easy.

Short keyword mac and cheese fits this bowl. For a longtail phrase I often hear best baked mac and cheese for family and it suits this pan. Another helpful longtail is easy baked mac and cheese for weeknight which matches the steps here. I write and cook with care and I test each change until the fork says yes.

3 Ingredients for Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese

Elbow macaroni Tender small curves catch sauce in every bend. I cook to just shy of al dente so the oven can finish the job without turning the noodles soft.

Kosher salt A generous pinch seasons the water and lifts the wheat flavor. The pasta tastes better from the start so the cheese does not need to shout.

Unsalted butter The base for a smooth roux. The butter melts clean and brings a warm note that supports the dairy without stealing the show.

All purpose flour I whisk it into the butter for a pale paste. The mix thickens the sauce and keeps the texture glossy and calm.

Evaporated milk This canned milk adds body and a gentle caramel note. The sauce turns lush without extra weight.

Whole milk Fresh milk loosens the mix and keeps the sauce light. The blend with evaporated milk gives balance and a soft finish.

Large eggs Beaten eggs give the casserole a tender set. I temper with hot sauce from the pan so the texture stays silky.

Sharp cheddar The main cheese that brings bite and melt. I shred it fresh since bagged shreds often resist a smooth sauce.

Monterey Jack This mild cheese melts fast and rounds the edges of cheddar. The pull looks joyful on a spoon.

American cheese A small portion helps the sauce turn satiny. The result tastes like classic diner comfort with better balance.

Dry mustard A pinch wakes up the dairy and sharpens the cheddar. The flavor reads bright not hot.

Paprika Gentle color and a soft warmth. The top bakes to a deeper gold with this spice.

Ground black pepper Freshly ground pepper gives a small spark. I keep it light so kids stay happy.

Kosher salt for seasoning I taste the sauce and add a modest pinch to match the pasta and cheese levels.

Sour cream A spoon folds in at the end and brings tang that balances richness. It helps the crumb hold to the surface.

Crushed crackers or cheese snacks The topping adds crunch and a playful note. Guests ask for the corner pieces first.

Extra cheddar for the top A light scatter melts into the crumbs and gives more golden spots that taste like the best part.

4 How to Make Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese

Step one Heat and prep Set the oven to three hundred fifty F. Butter a nine by thirteen dish. Place a large pot on the stove and fill with water. Bring to a rolling boil and season with salt.

Step two Cook pasta Add macaroni and stir. Cook until just tender with a slight bite. Drain and set aside. The pasta keeps cooking later so stop early.

Step three Build roux Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle flour and whisk until smooth and pale. The paste should smell toasty not dark.

Step four Add dairy Stream in evaporated milk then fresh milk. Whisk steady until the sauce coats a spoon. The surface will show slow bubbles.

Step five Temper eggs Whisk a ladle of hot sauce into the eggs. Pour the warmed eggs back into the pan with a slow stir. Keep the mixture smooth.

Step six Melt cheeses Off the heat add cheddar Jack and American. Stir until silky. Season with dry mustard paprika pepper and a pinch of salt. Fold in sour cream.

Step seven Combine Toss pasta with sauce in a large bowl. The noodles should shine and look well coated with no dry spots.

Step eight Top and bake Pour into the dish. Mix crumbs with extra cheddar and scatter over the surface. Bake twenty five to thirty minutes until edges bubble and top turns gold.

Step nine Rest and serve Let the pan sit ten minutes. The custard sets and slices clean. Spoon or slice and enjoy.

5 Tips for Making Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese

Warm the milk before it meets the roux. The sauce comes together fast and stays smooth. Fresh shred the cheese for the best melt. Bagged shreds can feel dusty in a sauce.

Pull the pasta a touch early so the oven can finish the texture. Salt the water with confidence since it flavors the whole dish. For southern baked mac and cheese vibes add a tiny pinch of cayenne and a dash of extra sharp cheddar.

Want more crunch. Use panko or cracker crumbs. Want more cream. Stir in a spoon of sour cream at the end. Short keyword baked mac fits here and speaks to the texture. Longtail creamy baked mac and cheese from scratch fits the method.

6 Making Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese Ahead of Time

I prep this a day before a party when I need space on the stove. I cook the pasta a bit firm. I make the sauce. I mix and I move the dish to the fridge. The top crumbs go on just before baking so they stay crisp.

For classic baked mac and cheese texture after chilling I add a splash of milk around the edges before the pan goes into the oven. The bake may take five to ten extra minutes from cold. Watch for steady bubbles along the sides.

This plan helps on busy days. The flavor deepens overnight and the blend tastes even more mellow. One more use of our main phrase baked mac and cheese recipe lands here with a nod to make ahead ease that keeps dinner calm.

7 Storing Leftover Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese

Cool the pan to room temp. Pack portions in shallow containers with tight lids. Store in the fridge for three to four days. For longer storage move to the freezer in single servings for easy lunches.

Reheat in the oven at three hundred twenty five F until warm. Cover with foil to keep moisture. Add a small splash of milk if the pasta looks tight. The texture returns and the top regains a light crunch.

For quick office meals the microwave works in short bursts with a stir between rounds. The flavor stays steady and the comfort returns. Another short keyword comfort food fits this section well.

8 Try these Main Course next

9 Paula Deen Style Baked Mac And Cheese