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Why This Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese Recipe Works

What You’ll Need for Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese

How to Make Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese

Serving and Storage Tips for Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese

Mistakes to Avoid while making Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese

Suggestions for Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese

Conclusion

Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese

Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese brings soul food tradition to your celebration table. This creamy, golden-crusted dish combines five different cheeses for the ultimate comfort food experience. Perfect for feeding a crowd, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with simple home cooking techniques.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

Five-cheese blend creates incredibly rich, complex flavors that melt together perfectly
No-roux method saves time while delivering silky smooth cheese sauce every time
Golden, bubbly cheese crust adds amazing texture contrast to creamy interior
Feeds 16 people generously, making it ideal for Juneteenth gatherings and celebrations
Make-ahead friendly recipe that reheats beautifully without losing its creamy texture

Why This Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese Recipe Works

The secret lies in the cheese combination. Sharp cheddar brings bold flavor, while colby jack adds smoothness. Mozzarella creates those satisfying cheese pulls, and American cheese ensures ultra-creamy consistency. Cream cheese acts as the binding agent, preventing separation.

Cooking pasta in chicken broth instead of water infuses extra flavor from the start. The slightly undercooked pasta absorbs the cheese sauce while baking, achieving perfect texture. Adding eggs creates custard-like richness that sets this mac and cheese apart from stovetop versions.

What You’ll Need for Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter (for greasing)
16 oz elbow macaroni
6 cups chicken broth
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
8 oz colby jack cheese, shredded
8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
8 oz American cheese, cubed
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup half and half
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1-2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon mustard powder
2 large eggs

Tools

Large stockpot or Dutch oven
8×11 or 9×13-inch baking dish
Large mixing bowl
Wooden spoon
Colander for draining
Measuring cups and spoons

How to Make Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Butter your baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking. This simple step ensures easy serving and cleanup.

Step 1:	Bring chicken broth to boil in large pot. Add macaroni and cook until just under al dente. Drain well.
Step 2:	Mix cream, half and half, half the cheddar, half the colby jack, all mozzarella, American, and cream cheese in bowl.
Step 3:	Season mixture with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust.
Step 4:	Stir in cooked macaroni and beaten eggs until well combined.
Step 5:	Pour into prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Step 6:	Top with remaining cheddar and colby jack. Sprinkle with extra paprika.
Step 7:	Bake 35 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Step 8:	Cool 5 minutes before serving hot.

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Chef's Helpful Tips

Shred cheese yourself for smoother melting – pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting
Room temperature eggs and cream cheese blend more easily, preventing lumps in your sauce
Don’t skip the chicken broth – it adds depth of flavor regular water can’t match
Taste your cheese mixture before adding pasta to ensure seasoning is perfect
Cover with foil if top browns too quickly, removing last 10 minutes for crispy finish

Serving and Storage Tips for Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese

This crowd-pleasing dish shines as the star side at any Juneteenth celebration. The creamy texture pairs beautifully with barbecued meats, fried chicken, or grilled vegetables.

Serving Tips

Let rest 5-10 minutes after baking for easier serving
Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions
Serve alongside Ultimate Chicken Casserole
Add hot sauce on the side for spice lovers
Use a large serving spoon for neat portions

Store leftovers in airtight containers up to 4 days. Reheat covered at 350°F, adding splash of milk to restore creaminess. Individual portions microwave well in 30-second intervals.

Mistakes to Avoid while making Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese

Overcooking pasta ranks as the top mistake. Remember, pasta continues cooking in the oven. Stop boiling when pasta still has slight firmness. Mushy mac and cheese disappoints everyone.

Using pre-shredded cheese seems convenient but creates grainy texture. Those anti-caking agents prevent smooth melting. Take extra minutes to shred blocks yourself. Your taste buds will thank you.

Skipping the egg step might seem easier, but eggs create the signature custard-like richness. They bind everything together while adding protein. Just ensure your mixture cools slightly before adding to prevent scrambling.

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You Must Know

This recipe easily doubles for larger crowds – just use two baking dishes and increase baking time by 5-10 minutes
Substitute any short pasta shape like shells or cavatappi if elbow macaroni isn’t available
For lighter version, use all half and half instead of heavy cream, though texture will be less rich
Freezing works great – wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months, thaw overnight before reheating

Suggestions for Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese

Transform this base recipe with creative additions. Crispy bacon bits add smoky crunch. Caramelized onions bring sweetness. Diced jalapeños provide heat. Mix additions into cheese sauce before baking.

Try different cheese combinations while keeping the five-cheese base structure. Swap sharp cheddar for extra-sharp or white cheddar. Replace colby jack with pepper jack for spicy kick. Experiment with smoked gouda instead of regular mozzarella.

Create a crunchy topping by mixing panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and extra cheese. Sprinkle over mac and cheese during final 10 minutes of baking. This classic technique from Allrecipes adds restaurant-style finish.

Consider serving alongside other celebration dishes. This pairs wonderfully with Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta for surf-and-turf spread. The NYT Cooking’s Southern approach suggests cornbread as perfect accompaniment.

FAQs:

Can I make Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 minutes to baking time if cooking from cold. Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before baking for even cooking.

Why is my Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese dry after baking?

Overbaking causes dryness. Check at 30 minutes – cheese should bubble actively with golden spots. Also ensure enough liquid in your cheese mixture. The eggs and cream create moisture that prevents drying.

Can I use different pasta shapes for Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese?

Absolutely! Shells, penne, or cavatappi work great. Choose shapes with ridges or curves that hold cheese sauce well. Adjust cooking time based on package directions, still keeping pasta slightly firm.

How do I prevent my Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese from separating?

Room temperature ingredients blend better, preventing separation. The cream cheese acts as stabilizer. Don’t skip it! Also avoid overheating – gentle oven temperature keeps cheese emulsion intact throughout baking.

What makes Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese different from regular mac and cheese?

This soul food version uses multiple cheeses for complex flavor, includes eggs for richness, and features generous portions perfect for celebration gatherings. The golden crust and creamy interior honor traditional Southern cooking methods.

Conclusion

This Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese recipe delivers everything you want in celebration food. Rich, creamy, and feeds a crowd with style. The five-cheese blend creates unforgettable flavor, while simple techniques ensure success every time.

Whether you’re hosting your first Juneteenth gathering or continuing family traditions, this mac and cheese brings people together. Pair with your favorite mains, or let it shine as the star. Don’t forget to try this keto-friendly dessert for those watching carbs.

Master this recipe once, and it becomes your go-to for every special occasion. The time-tested methods guarantee consistent results. Your Juneteenth Baked Mac Cheese will have everyone asking for seconds and the recipe!

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