The Absolute Best Macaroni & Cheese Recipe for Thanksgiving Day Side Dishes Pasta

Southern Living magazine is one of my favorites. I love so many of their downhome southern recipes, like this amazing macaroni and cheese recipe. What makes this mac and cheese so special is shredded and diced cheese, yellow and white cheese and a sauce made with milk and heavy cream. It is so good.

This baked macaroni and cheese recipe is the perfect holiday side dish at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's also great on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday...

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 16 ounces large elbow macaroni (or your favorite short pasta), cooked to al dente
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup grated onion
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• dash of ground nutmeg
• dash of cayenne 
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 1 3/4 cups heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
• 1 cup diced sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese (divided)
• 1 cup diced white cheddar cheese

Here's how to make it: 

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, dry mustard, salt, pepper, nutmeg and cayenne. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the flour and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes. 
2. Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, stirring until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Remove from the heat.
3. Stir in 3/4 cup of the shredded white and yellow cheddar cheeses until melted. Add the cooked pasta and diced cheeses. Stir well and pour into a greased 13x9-inch baking pan. 
4. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven until golden, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheese and continue to bake until melted. 

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