Attempted Cooking John Legend's Macaroni and Cheese Dish
Tell Me How to Cook John Legend's Signature Mac and Cheese
Growing up, my staple meals were thanks to Mom's mealtime magic, from mouthwatering ground beef dishes to comforting chicken breasts, and who could forget the good old boxed mac and cheese. But it wasn't until my 20s that I encountered the pure delight of baked macaroni and cheese. Once I discovered this pasta casserole, I was hooked!
Despite being a pro at stovetop mac and cheese, I've never quite perfected my own baked mac recipe. So, when I stumbled upon John Legend's favorite mac and cheese recipe on the Your Mama's Kitchen podcast, my curiosity piqued. Here's how to make it!
John Legend's Baked Mac and Cheese
The singer-songwriter shares his mom's mac recipe, which calls for diced green peppers mixed into the cheesy pasta and topped with crushed Ritz Crackers. But in this version, he encourages swapping out the peppers for an old-school, soul food restaurant-inspired dish.
- Prepare the Pasta:
- Boil salted water and cook macaroni until it's al dente.
- Drain the pasta, coat it with melted butter, and set it aside.
- Combine the Cheeses:
- Mix grated extra-sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses in a bowl.
- Make the Milk Mixture:
- In another bowl, whisk evaporated milk, whole milk, eggs, seasoned salt, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Assemble the Mac and Cheese:
- Divide the macaroni into layers in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Top each layer with the cheese blend.
- Pour the milk mixture evenly over the top layer.
- Bake and Serve:
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden-brown.
- Allow the dish to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
The Soul of This Recipe
The old-school method that sets this mac and cheese apart is layering the pasta and cheese, then dousing it in the seasoned milk blend instead of making a separate cheese sauce. Evaporated milk, which makes up more than 85% of the milk mixture, contributes to an extra lush texture.
This recipe allows the cheese flavor to truly shine, and you can make it your own by adding crispy bacon, caramelized onions, or crushed crackers on top for an extra crunch! Keep in mind that it takes a bit longer than typical mac and cheese recipes due to the baking time and necessary resting period. But patience always pays off, and it's so worth the wait for cheese pull perfection!
Why not make it a special date night meal? Serve Legend's mac and cheese with a green salad and open a bottle of bubbly. Then, pour yourself another glass and cue up John Legend's tunes for a dining experience you'll never forget!
In my childhood, meals were mostly homemade by my mother, ranging from flavorful ground beef dishes to soothing chicken breasts, and of course, the classic boxed mac and cheese. However, it wasn't until my 20s that I discovered the appeal of baked macaroni and cheese.
Interested in perfecting my own baked mac recipe, I found John Legend's favorite version on the Your Mama's Kitchen podcast. This recipe calls for layering the pasta and cheese, then dousing it in a seasoned milk blend, which gives it an old-school, soul food restaurant-inspired texture.
I recommend trying this recipe out on a special date night, pairing it with a green salad and a bottle of bubbly, while enjoying John Legend's music for a memorable dining experience.
