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A spoon scooping up creamy Mac and Cheese from a Dutch oven.
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Paula Deen's Macaroni and Cheese

Paula Deen's Macaroni & Cheese can be baked in the oven or in the Slow Cooker! Made extra creamy with eggs, cream cheese, and 2 other cheeses!

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 472kcal
Author: Stephanie

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni *Not a pound*
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened or melted. Equal to 1/2 stick.
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 oz. cheddar cheese grated
  • 13 slices American cheese, cut into cubes Velveeta packaged slices work well. (equal to 8 oz.)
  • 4 oz. cream cheese softened
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Note: The butter, half and half, sour cream, and cheeses should be close to room temperature prior to being added to the macaroni.

Oven Baked Method:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Boil the macaroni until al dente, according to package instructions.
  • Combine the melted/softened butter, half and half, eggs, sour cream, and salt/pepper/cayenne. Whisk until combined. It will be a little lumpy.
  • Drain the macaroni and return it to the warm pot you boiled it in. Add the cream cheese, cheddar, and American cheese. Use a silicone spatula and stir to combine.
  • Add the creamy egg mixture and stir to combine. (Paula Deen pours it over the top of the cheesy macaroni once it's in the casserole dish, I like to mix with the macaroni first.)
  • Transfer to a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
  • Let it stand for 10 minutes prior to serving.

Crock Pot Method:

  • Cook the macaroni for 1-2 minutes less than instructed on package so the macaroni doesn't become mushy.
  • Combine the melted/softened butter, half and half, eggs, sour cream, half and half, and salt/pepper/cayenne. Whisk until combined. It will be a little lumpy.
  • Drain the macaroni and return it to the warm pot you boiled it in. Add the cream cheese, cheddar, and American cheese. Use a silicone spatula and stir to combine.
  • Add the creamy egg mixture and stir to combine.
  • Transfer to a lightly greased Crock Pot. Heat on low for 2-3 hours hours, then switch to warm, and serve! Stir occasionally as it cooks if you're able.

Notes

Make-Ahead Method For Baked OR Crock Pot Mac and Cheese:

  • Cook the Pasta no more than Al Dente.
  • Immediately rinse the cooked pasta with cold water to halt the cooking process and rid it of extra starch.
  • Combine all remaining ingredients in a saucepan and whisk together over medium heat until well-combined and smooth. Let it cool until it's just warm to the touch.
  • Combine the cooled macaroni and sauce.
    Store in the fridge for up to two days, covered.
Add it to a casserole dish or Crock Pot and proceed as instructed. Note that you may have to cook it a tad longer since its starting off cold.

Using Eggs in Macaroni and Cheese

Southern-Style macaroni and cheese recipes such as this one typically call for using eggs. The purpose of the eggs is to create a custard-like consistency. This method is used instead of creating a roux. 
Be warned that some people love the eggs, and others aren't a fan of the texture.
To skip the eggs and make this recipe with a roux:
  • Use an additional cup of half and half to make 2 cups total.
  • Melt 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add 3 Tablespoons of flour and whisk until the consistency is that of a paste.
  • Slowly add 1/2 cup half and half. Whisk until combined. Gradually add the remaining 1+ 1/2 cups until combined.
  • Continue to heat, whisking occasionally for about 10 minutes to allow it to thicken.
  • Remove from heat, combine with remaining ingredients, add to warm macaroni and bake.
You can also combine 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers + 2 TBS Butter and bake that on top for the last 10 minutes
If you don't have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter and skip the salting step.

Nutrition

Calories: 472kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 189mg | Sodium: 946mg | Potassium: 190mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1260IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 579mg | Iron: 1mg