New Orleans Baked Mac and Cheese
Spaghetti replaces macaroni in this creamy baked dish with mozzarella, cheddar, garlic, cayenne, and a bubbling golden cheese topping.
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Ingredients
- 1 pound dry spaghetti
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 4 cups half-and-half
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- 3 cups cheddar cheese (white or orange), divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish (or two 8x8-inch baking dishes).
- Cook spaghetti in boiling water for 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Whisk in salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, and cayenne pepper. Gradually whisk in the half-and-half and heavy cream.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Stir in half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese until smooth.
- Add cooked spaghetti to the cheese sauce and mix until fully coated.
- Pour the cheesy spaghetti into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining cheeses.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling. Let rest before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, use a blend of sharp cheddar and smoked mozzarella. You can also substitute elbow macaroni for spaghetti if preferred.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingsCalories: 770kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 37.5gFat: 49.5gSaturated Fat: 28gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 1100mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g