Southern Style Collard Greens Mac & Cheese Bake
Indulge in this delightful fusion of classic creamy mac and cheese with a southern twist, featuring the earthy and robust flavors of collard greens and savory country ham. This recipe elevates a traditional macaroni dish by adding layers of texture and flavor, creating a comforting casserole perfect for family gatherings and special occasions.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
4 tablespoons (melted)
all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons (whisked into butter)
whole milk
4.5 cups (gradually whisked into sauce)
cream cheese
4 ounces (softened)
Parmesan cheese
2.25 cups (grated, divided use)
Tabasco sauce
1.5 teaspoons (added to sauce)
salt
1.25 teaspoons (added to sauce)
white pepper
0.75 teaspoons (added to sauce)
smoked paprika
0.75 teaspoons (added to sauce)
elbow macaroni
1 lb (cooked al dente)
country ham
6 ounces (diced)
collard greens
2 bunches (stemmed and chopped)
garlic clove
1 (minced)
white cheddar cheese
4 ounces (grated)
monterey jack cheese
4 ounces (grated)
smoked gouda cheese
4 ounces (grated)
panko breadcrumbs
0.5 cup (mixed with butter and Parmesan)
unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (melted for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9"x13" baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2
In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over low heat. Gradually whisk in the flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring continually to form a roux. Slowly pour in the milk while continually whisking to prevent lumps. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens to a smooth sauce.
3
Remove the sauce from heat and incorporate the softened cream cheese, followed by 1 cup of grated Parmesan, Tabasco, salt, white pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir until the sauce is completely smooth and all ingredients are well combined.
4
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
5
In a large skillet, sauté the diced country ham until the fat is rendered, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the ham to the pot containing the macaroni, leaving the fat behind in the skillet.
6
Using the same skillet, cook the chopped collard greens with minced garlic over medium heat until they wilt and become tender. Add these to the pasta and ham pot.
7
Pour the prepared cheese sauce over the pasta mixture and stir to evenly coat all the ingredients.
8
In a separate bowl, mix together the grated white cheddar, monterey jack, smoked gouda, and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese.
9
Layer one-third of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle with one-third of the cheese mixture. Repeat this layering process twice more, ensuring even distribution.
10
For the topping, combine the panko breadcrumbs, remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Evenly sprinkle this mixture over the top of the casserole.
11
Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
12
Allow it to cool slightly before serving hot, enjoying the rich, savory flavors of this gourmet mac and cheese twist.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southern Style Collard Greens Mac & Cheese Bake?
It is a gourmet fusion casserole that combines creamy macaroni and cheese with savory country ham and earthy collard greens for a traditional southern twist.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
What size baking dish should I use?
A 9x13-inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking to the dish?
Lightly coat the baking dish with cooking spray before adding the pasta mixture.
How do I make the roux for the cheese sauce?
Melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and gradually whisk in 4 tablespoons of flour, cooking for 3 minutes over low heat.
What type of milk is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 4.5 cups of whole milk, added slowly to the roux.
Which cheeses are stirred directly into the sauce?
Softened cream cheese and 1 cup of grated Parmesan are incorporated into the sauce once it has thickened.
What seasonings give the sauce its flavor?
The sauce is seasoned with Tabasco, salt, white pepper, and smoked paprika.
How should the elbow macaroni be cooked?
The macaroni should be boiled in salted water until it reaches an al dente texture.
How is the country ham prepared?
The ham is diced and sautéed in a skillet for 4 to 5 minutes until the fat is rendered.
How are the collard greens cooked?
The collard greens are stemmed, chopped, and sautéed with minced garlic until they are wilted and tender.
What varieties of cheese are used for layering?
The layering cheese mixture includes grated white cheddar, monterey jack, smoked gouda, and Parmesan.
How many layers should be created in the baking dish?
The recipe instructs to layer the pasta mixture and cheese mixture three times.
What ingredients make up the topping?
The topping is a combination of panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
How long does the casserole need to bake?
It should bake for 35 to 45 minutes.
How do I know when the bake is finished?
The top should be golden brown and the edges should be bubbling.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, allow it to cool slightly to let the sauce set before serving hot.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can, but you may need to reduce the additional salt added to the recipe to maintain balance.
What is the purpose of the cream cheese?
Cream cheese adds extra creaminess and a slight tang to the cheese sauce base.
Is the ham fat used in the recipe?
The ham is transferred to the pot while the rendered fat is left in the skillet to cook the collard greens.
What type of breadcrumbs are used?
Panko breadcrumbs are used for a lighter, crispier texture on the topping.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe calls for one minced garlic clove.
What kind of pepper is used in the sauce?
White pepper is used to provide heat without leaving black flakes in the white sauce.
Can I substitute the smoked gouda?
You can, but the smoked gouda provides a unique smoky flavor that complements the collard greens.
How many bunches of collard greens are required?
You will need two bunches of collard greens.
Is Tabasco sauce required?
It is used to add a subtle kick, but you can adjust the amount to your spice preference.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
While elbow macaroni is traditional, other short pasta shapes like cavatappi or penne would work.
How much total Parmesan is used?
The recipe uses a total of 2.25 cups of grated Parmesan divided across the sauce, layers, and topping.
Why is the sauce cooked over medium heat?
Medium heat allows the milk to thicken without scorching the bottom of the pan.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as a classic comfort food dish due to its rich, cheesy, and hearty ingredients.