Mac & Cheese, Southern

By sincial

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. Pasta
• 2 cups (8 oz.) Sharp Cheddar, shredded
• 2 Eggs, large
• 1 cup Half-and-half or evaporated milk
• 1 Garlic Clove, small, minced
• 2 slices white bread, torn
• 1 tbsp. Butter, melted
• Salt & Pepper

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

Set large pot of salted water to boil. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter four 10-ounce ramekins or a shallow 1 1/2 to 2-quart baking dish. Cook pasta 3 minutes short of al dente and drain.

In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups cheddar, eggs, half-and-half or evap. milk, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Add pasta and stir to combine. Divide between ramekins or pour into baking dish.

In a food processor, pulse bread and melted butter until coarse crumbs form. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Top pasta mixture with remaining cheese and then bread crumb mixture.

If baking in ramekins, place on rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

If baking in shallow baking dish, bake until golden and bubbling, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Let stand 5 minutes and serve.

Variation: Add one to two cups desired meat of desired. i.e. cubed, precooked ham, precooked ground beef, etc.