Description
John Legend’s Macaroni and Cheese is a creamy, rich, and cheesy baked pasta dish that combines sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses with a smooth custard base of evaporated milk, skim milk, and eggs. This comforting classic is perfectly seasoned with garlic powder and seasoned salt, then finished with a sprinkle of paprika for a warm, flavorful crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 3 cups elbow macaroni
Dairy & Cheese
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, plus more for 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 and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Paprika, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- Make the cheese custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, skim milk, eggs, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and a pinch of coarse salt and freshly ground pepper until fully combined.
- Combine cheese and pasta: Add the grated extra-sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses to the custard mixture and stir well. Next, fold in the cooked macaroni until evenly coated with the cheese custard.
- Prepare the baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish generously to prevent sticking. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake the macaroni and cheese: Dot the top with small bits of the remaining butter and lightly sprinkle paprika over the surface. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to allow the custard to set slightly and the flavors to meld.
Notes
- For an extra crunchy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter before baking.
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt and flavor.
- You can swap the elbow macaroni for other pasta shapes like cavatappi or shells.
- Season the pasta water generously with salt to enhance the pasta flavor.
- Let the macaroni and cheese cool slightly before serving to avoid burning and improve texture.
Keywords: macaroni and cheese, John Legend recipe, baked mac and cheese, creamy mac cheese, cheesy pasta bake