John Legend's Macaroni and Cheese

1. Preheat oven, prep pan, and cook macaroni:

   Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously butter a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish; set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt and macaroni. Cook until al dente according to package directions.

2. Drain macaroni and toss with butter:

   Drain, and return to pot. Add butter, and toss until pasta is coated and butter has melted; set aside.

3. Combine milks, eggs, and seasonings:

   In a medium bowl, whisk together evaporated milk, skim milk, and eggs. Add seasoned salt, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; set aside. In another medium bowl, combine cheeses; set aside.

4. Arrange macaroni and cheeses in dish:

   Place 1/3 macaroni in an even layer in the bottom of prepared baking dish; cover evenly with 1/3 cheese. Repeat with remaining macaroni and cheese mixture.

5. Add milk mixture:

   Pour milk mixture evenly over contents of baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika.

6. Bake:

   Bake until top layer is lightly browned, 35 to 45 minutes. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

How to Store and Reheat Macaroni and Cheese

If you have leftover macaroni and cheese, allow it to cool completely before refrigerating. Transfer to an airtight container and store for up to four days.

Reheating

Reheat macaroni and cheese in an oven-safe baking dish covered with foil at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes, depending on the size of the portion you are reheating. If the macaroni and cheese seems dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk. The microwave is the best option to heat a single portion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this recipe creamy?

John Legend's macaroni and cheese recipe is a baked or casserole-style mac and cheese. Stovetop macaroni and cheese recipes like Thomas's Macaroni and Cheese are creamier.

What size casserole dish should I use?

For this macaroni and cheese recipe, you need a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish. It can be glass or ceramic.

What is the best cheese to use?

We prefer to use a combination of cheeses for macaroni and cheese. This recipe uses two cheeses—extra-sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack. Cheddar is the cheese most commonly used for macaroni and cheese. We use an extra-sharp cheddar so it brings more of a punch of flavor to the dish. Monterey Jack melts wonderfully and adds a silky texture.

Who is John Legend?

John Legend is a Grammy- and Oscar-award winning musician, actor, and music producer. He is married to cookbook author and model Chrissy Teigen.

6 Other Macaroni and Cheese Recipes to Try:

• Pimiento Mac and Cheese
• Skillet Macaroni and Cheese
• Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
• Mushroom-Fontina Macaroni and Cheese
• Cheater’s Mac and Cheese
• Fried Macaroni and Cheese Bites