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Crispy Juneteenth BBQ Baked Mac and Cheese

Crispy Juneteenth BBQ Baked Mac and Cheese - featured image
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A smoky, tangy twist on classic mac and cheese featuring a crispy breadcrumb topping and infused with BBQ sauce for a celebration-worthy comfort dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring constantly.
  3. Slowly pour in warmed whole milk while whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Continue cooking and whisking until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Remove sauce from heat. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar and smoked gouda until melted and smooth. Add BBQ sauce, yellow mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  5. Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat evenly.
  6. In a small bowl, toss panko breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter until evenly coated.
  7. Transfer mac and cheese mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle breadcrumb mixture on top.
  8. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy and the cheese sauce is bubbling.
  9. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Slightly undercook pasta to avoid mushiness after baking. Warm milk before adding to roux to prevent lumps. Toss breadcrumbs with oil or melted butter for a crispy topping. Tent with foil if topping browns too quickly. Let rest before serving to thicken sauce. Variations include adding jalapeños for spice, roasted vegetables for nutrition, or swapping ingredients for gluten-free or vegan versions.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, BBQ mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, crispy topping, Juneteenth recipe, comfort food, cheesy pasta

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/crispy-juneteenth-bbq-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-step-by-step-guide/