John Legend's Mac and Cheese Recipe (With Video)

Servings:

10

Singer John Legend shared his favorite comfort food recipe with decorvow—and all its cheesy glory. John Legend’s mac and cheese can be an entrée or a side and is a staple at all kinds of holidays and gatherings, from Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July to Wednesday night dinner.

It's a baked iteration of macaroni and cheese, made with two kinds of cheese—extra-sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack—combined with a mixture of evaporated milk and seasoning. Don't forget the final sprinkle of paprika and topping of cheese before baking to give it that gorgeous golden color everyone knows and loves.

John Legend's Mac and Cheese - slice on a plate — Andrea Araiza

How to Make Macaroni and Cheese Ahead

Baked macaroni and cheese, like John Legend's recipe, is best enjoyed right after it has cooled from baking—we don't recommend making it in advance and reheating it. If you need to prep the dish ahead, this is what we suggest:

Assemble it up to three days ahead. Allow to cool completely and cover tightly before refrigerating.
Let the dish come to room temperature, which will take about 30 minutes, before baking.

Don't use pre-grated cheese for this recipe: It doesn't have the same flavor and often has stabilizers and additives, so it doesn't melt as well. For easy grating, put the blocks of cheese in the freezer for five to 10 minutes. Then, grate on the large holes of a box grater.

Directions

John Legend's Mac and Cheese - ingredients in bowl — Andrea Araiza

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.

Andrea Araiza
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.

Andrea Araiza
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.

Andrea Araiza
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.

Andrea Araiza
Add milk mixture:

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

Andrea Araiza
Bake:

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

Andrea Araiza

How to Store and Reheat Macaroni and Cheese

If you have leftover macaroni and cheese, allow it to cool completely before storing. Transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator 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. If you are reheating a single portion, the microwave is the best option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is John Legend?

John Legend is a Grammy and Oscar Award-winning musician, actor, and music producer. Legend is also known for his time serving as a vocal coach on the popular competition series The Voice. He is married to cookbook author and model Chrissy Teigen.
Can I use other pasta shapes instead of elbow macaroni?

Yes, you can use other pasta shapes instead of elbow macaroni. If you don’t have elbow macaroni, try using mini shell pasta, ziti, or fusilli. We recommend these other pasta shapes because they hold the cheese sauce well.
Can I use other cheese for this recipe?

Yes, you can use other cheese for this recipe. If you prefer a different cheese rather than extra-sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack, try Gruyère, Gouda, Fontina, or Parmesan. When using a different cheese for this mac and cheese, just be sure that it is one that will melt well.
Can I replace evaporated milk with something else?

You can replace evaporated milk with half and half, but it is not an exact replacement and the mac and cheese will taste a little different. Half and half will add a richer flavor to the dish just as evaporated milk does.

6 More Macaroni and Cheese Recipes to Try

Updated by

Victoria Spencer

Explore more:

John Legend's Macaroni and Cheese

How to Make Macaroni and Cheese Ahead

Directions

Preheat oven, prep pan, and cook macaroni:

Drain macaroni and toss with butter:

Combine milks, eggs, and seasonings:

Arrange macaroni and cheeses in dish:

Add milk mixture:

Bake:

How to Store and Reheat Macaroni and Cheese

Reheating

Frequently Asked Questions

6 More Macaroni and Cheese Recipes to Try

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