How long should I bake the mac and cheese?

Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until bubbly and golden.

What type of pan can I use for this recipe?

You can use a cast iron skillet or a 9x13 pan, but note that the cooking time may adjust depending on how deep your pan is.

Ole Skool Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

Name: Ole Skool Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 32 oz chicken stock; 3.5 cups elbow pasta (Cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes.); 8 cups cheese of choice (Use a mix of provolone, mozzarella, and cheddar.); 2 cups whole milk; 1.5 cups heavy cream; 3 large eggs; 0.75 cup sour cream; 1 stick butter (Plus more to grease the pan.); seasonings (paprika, salt, pepper) (Adjust to taste.)

TThe Danni Rose NetworkYouTube1 hour

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Original video by The Danni Rose Network on YouTube3:22

About this recipe

If you're craving a classic comfort food, this Ole Skool Southern Baked Mac and Cheese is the dish for you. It's rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, thanks to the unique twist of cooking the pasta in chicken stock. This method infuses the pasta with extra taste right from the start, making every bite delicious.

This recipe layers macaroni, cheese, and a custard mixture in a cast iron skillet, resulting in a bubbly, golden top that’s hard to resist. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in, this mac and cheese is sure to satisfy.

Ingredient notes

You can use chicken stock or more depending on how much you're making.
For the cheese, a mix of provolone, mozzarella, and cheddar is recommended.

Tips from The Danni Rose Network’s video

Cook the elbow pasta until al dente, about 7-8 minutes, to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
When adding butter to the hot pasta, stir gently to avoid making it gummy.
Layer the macaroni, cheese, and custard mixture like you would a lasagna for even distribution and flavor.

Good to know

How long should I bake the mac and cheese?: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until bubbly and golden.
What type of pan can I use for this recipe?: You can use a cast iron skillet or a 9x13 pan, but note that the cooking time may adjust depending on how deep your pan is.

No life story here — the video and the recipe are the whole point. All credit to The Danni Rose Network: watch the original on YouTube.

The recipe

Serves —Time 1 hour

Ingredients

32 oz chicken stock
3½ cups elbow pasta — Cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes.
8 cups cheese of choice — Use a mix of provolone, mozzarella, and cheddar.
2 cups whole milk
1½ cups heavy cream
3 large eggs
¾ cup sour cream
1 stick butter — Plus more to grease the pan.
seasonings (paprika, salt, pepper) — Adjust to taste.

Steps

1
Boil the elbow pasta in chicken stock for about 7-8 minutes until al dente, then strain it.
2
Add one stick of butter to the hot pasta and stir gently to combine without making it gummy.
3
Mix in the sour cream, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a little salt, adjusting to taste.
4
Gradually add about 3 cups of cheese, stirring to combine.
5
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, and whole milk to create the custard mixture.
6
Grease a cast iron skillet with butter and add about 1.5 cups of the macaroni mixture to the skillet.
7
Layer the macaroni, cheese, and custard mixture in the skillet, adding more cheese and custard as you go, similar to layering a lasagna.
8
Top the final layer with more cheese and sprinkle with paprika for color.
9
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until bubbly and golden.
10
Let the mac and cheese rest for about 10 minutes before serving.