Description
John Legend’s Macaroni and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort food classic made with a rich blend of extra-sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, baked to perfection with a buttery crust and a hint of paprika for an extra touch of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 3 cups elbow macaroni
Dairy and Eggs
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish
- 2 (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk
- ⅓ cup skim milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 (8-ounce) packages extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 (8-ounce) package Monterey Jack cheese, grated
Seasonings
- Coarse salt, to taste
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Paprika, for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain the macaroni and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, skim milk, eggs, seasoned salt, garlic powder, coarse salt, and freshly ground pepper until fully combined. Stir in the grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, reserving a small amount of cheese for topping.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese mixture and stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Butter a medium to large baking dish generously to prevent sticking. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the reserved cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Near the end of baking, sprinkle paprika over the top for color and flavor.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the macaroni and cheese from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set before serving. This helps the sauce thicken slightly and makes for easier slicing.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt and flavor; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect texture.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- For extra creaminess, you can substitute whole milk for skim milk.
- This dish reheats well; add a splash of milk when reheating to maintain moisture.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the macaroni with gluten-free pasta.
Keywords: Macaroni and Cheese, John Legend Recipe, Cheesy Pasta, Baked Mac and Cheese, Comfort Food