Patrick Oconnell
Soul food mac and cheese is a cultural staple and a comfort food classic. This super-creamy, cheesy, and soulful dish is often served with Southern fried chicken, coleslaw, cornbread, and 7-UP pound cake. While there are many ways to make mac and cheese, the soul food version is baked and typically includes a mix of cheeses, such as sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and jack cheese, with the option to add in pepper jack, smoked cheddar, gouda, fontina, or gruyere. The secret to its creaminess is in the addition of mascarpone, an Italian cream cheese. To season, soul food mac and cheese typically includes salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
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What You'll Learn
Creole seasoning, mustard powder, and nutmeg
Creole seasoning is a must-have for this soul food staple. It adds a kick of flavour that perfectly complements the cheese. Creole seasoning typically includes a blend of spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. These spices enhance the overall taste of the dish, making it more savoury and indulgent.
Mustard powder, on the other hand, adds a subtle sharpness and tanginess to the mac and cheese. It cuts through the richness of the cheese and cream, providing a balanced flavour profile. The mustard powder also adds a depth of flavour that enhances the overall taste experience.
Nutmeg is another spice that can be used to season macaroni and cheese. It has a warm, nutty, and slightly sweet flavour that complements the other ingredients. Nutmeg is often used in small quantities, adding a subtle complexity to the dish without overwhelming the other flavours.
When making macaroni and cheese, it is essential to taste the mixture and adjust the seasonings to your preference. You can also experiment with other ingredients, such as different types of cheese, butter, milk, and eggs, to create a unique and mouthwatering dish.
By using Creole seasoning, mustard powder, and nutmeg, you can take your macaroni and cheese to the next level, creating a soul food masterpiece that is sure to impress and satisfy.
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Sharp white cheddar and mild cheddar
Soul food mac and cheese is a cultural staple, a comfort food, and a cherished recipe for Thanksgiving. A good mac and cheese should be luxuriously creamy, rich, and super cheesy.
A soul food mac and cheese recipe typically includes a mix of cheeses, and a common choice is to use a combination of sharp white cheddar and mild cheddar. This is because cheddar is a good melting cheese with a high moisture level, and the sharp white cheddar adds a unique, rich, and complex flavour.
To make a soul food mac and cheese with sharp white cheddar and mild cheddar, you will need to cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside. In a large saucepan, melt some butter and add garlic. Let the garlic simmer in the butter for one minute, then whisk in flour to make a buttery paste. Next, add milk and/or cream, stirring over medium heat until the mixture bubbles and thickens.
Now it's time to add the cheese. Add the cheese one cup at a time, stirring after each addition until it is melted, and repeat until you have a thick, creamy cheese sauce. You can add some salt and pepper to taste. Finally, add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix together.
For a crispy, crunchy top, pour the mixture into a greased casserole dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and bake at 400°F for around 10 minutes.
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Smoked paprika
Soul food mac and cheese is a cultural staple, a comfort food, and a cherished recipe for many. While there are many ways to season this dish, smoked paprika is a unique and interesting choice.
When using smoked paprika, you can add other spices such as garlic, onion, bay leaf, and nutmeg to enhance the flavour profile. If you want to increase the smokiness, you can add bacon bits or use bacon fat in the roux. Smoked paprika also pairs well with multiple types of cheese, such as smoked gouda or smoked cheddar, for an even more intense smoky flavour.
Overall, smoked paprika is a versatile and flavourful seasoning option for soul food mac and cheese, allowing you to add a unique smoky twist to this classic comfort dish.
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Mascarpone
Soul food mac and cheese is all about creamy, rich, and cheesy flavours. A key ingredient to achieving this is mascarpone, an Italian cream cheese that adds a smooth, mild, and creamy texture to the soul food staple.
To make the most of mascarpone in your mac and cheese, it should be at room temperature. In a large bowl, whisk together the mascarpone with evaporated milk until smooth. You can also add in whole milk for a creamier custard and to prevent curdling. This mixture forms the base of your sauce.
Next, you can add in your seasonings. Creole or Cajun seasoning is a popular choice, with blends of garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika. You can also add in dry mustard powder for a tangy flavour that goes well with cheese.
Once your sauce is seasoned to your liking, you can add in the cooked macaroni and shredded cheese. For soul food mac and cheese, extra sharp cheddar cheese is a must, and you can also add in a mild, melty cheese like mild cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, fontina, or Monterey Jack cheese.
Finally, stir in a beaten egg and transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and bake until gooey and delicious.
With these steps and the right ingredients, you can create a luxuriously creamy and cheesy soul food mac and cheese with mascarpone.
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Garlic and onion powder
Soul food mac and cheese is a cultural staple and a comfort food classic. A good mac and cheese recipe uses real ingredients and a variety of cheeses. The key to making it creamy is to prevent the macaroni from absorbing too much liquid during baking.
When making soul food mac and cheese, it's best to shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese can alter the way the cheese melts and affect the flavour. You can use a combination of sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, fontina, and Monterey Jack cheese.
For an extra creamy mac and cheese, you can add mascarpone. This Italian cream cheese adds a smooth, mild creaminess to the dish. You can whisk it together with milk, salt, creole seasoning, mustard powder, and nutmeg.
Once you've made your sauce, you can stir it into cooked macaroni and top with cheese before baking.
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Frequently asked questions
Soul food macaroni and cheese is often seasoned with salt and pepper, as well as onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. You can also add Creole seasoning, nutmeg, and mustard powder.
Soul food macaroni and cheese typically includes extra-sharp cheddar cheese, which forms the largest portion of the flavour. Other types of cheese used include mild cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, fontina, Monterey Jack, and Colby Jack.
Yes, one secret ingredient is mascarpone, an Italian cream cheese that adds a smooth and mild creamy flavour. Another tip is to toss the cooked macaroni in butter before adding the other ingredients to prevent the macaroni from absorbing too much liquid during baking.
First, grease a 9" x 13" casserole dish. Melt butter over medium heat in a separate pot, and cook the macaroni according to the package directions until just under your preferred level of doneness. Combine the cooked macaroni with shredded cheese and other ingredients, and taste the mixture to adjust the seasonings if needed. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until the cheese is melted and browned, and let it rest for 5-15 minutes before serving.
