The Lady's Cheesy Mac

Fresh off the oven!

Hubby requested for Macaroni and Cheese one day, but he had something specific in mind - he said he wanted "very cheesy" mac and cheese. I thought I'd copy Paula Deen's recipe (the queen of Southern cooking, who else?) and see if its any good.


Well, the recipe was great - it was cheesy, creamy, and had a wonderful flavor. I used whole grain pasta so it wasn't as smooth (hey, I was trying to be healthy!) but I kinda' liked the extra chewiness that whole grain pasta offers - I feel like I am burning calories as I eat them! Haha.

Truth be told, this dish did not taste like the mac and cheese we had at The Lady and Sons (Paula Deen's restaurant). Not in a bad way though. Most of the food there were greasy - extremely delicious, but very greasy and buttery (I guess that's why it was delicious). They probably use a different recipe (trade secret?) for mac and cheese. But we loved it as well!


What you need: 

4 cups whole grain pasta shells
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 cup milk


What to do: 

Preheat oven to 350°F. 

Cook the pasta shells according to package directions. Drain, then place in a large bowl. While still hot, add the grated cheddar cheese. Cover to keep warm and set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine the beaten eggs, sour cream, butter, salt and milk. Mix well, then add to the macaroni mixture.

Pour into a 9X13 glass baking dish, and bake for about 35 minutes. Remove from heat and top with additional grated cheddar cheese.


Tips, Tricks and Tweaks: 

1. Use regular elbow macaroni for a smoother texture.
2. Add cooked chopped bacon before baking - more grease, less healthy, but I bet it is super delicious!
3. Try using evaporated milk instead of regular milk. It would add a hint of sweetness to the dish.
4. Always buy a block of cheese and then grate it yourself - it might mean more work, but I promise, you can taste the difference!
5. Do not overcook it - it will turn dry and the egg will curdle! Keep an eye on your pasta and make sure it is cooked to your desired consistency.