Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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posted by divas can cook on Dec 6, 2009 (updated Sep 18, 2021) 792 comments »

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4.59 from 930 ratings

Southern Baked Macaroniand Cheese

(Soul Food Style)

Watch me make this southern baked macaroni and cheese from start to finish!

I’m pretty sure you all know how hard it is to find a good, southern, soul food style baked macaroni and cheese recipe, right?

People tend to keep a tight grasp on their prized macaroni & cheese recipes, but not in my family. We share our favorite recipes like they are going on out of style! “Aint no sense in taking recipes to the grave” is how my grandmother sees it.

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (1)

Well, imagine my shock when my sister sashayed in on Thanksgiving and casually placed this baked macaroni & cheese on the table. I could have sworn I had all of my family members baked mac n cheese recipes.

What was this impostor all about! The proof was in the taste. I had one (ok three) plates of this macaroni and cheese and was on her heels like ash in the wintertime trying to get this recipe.

My husband took a bite and said, “um, you need to take your mac n cheese recipe off your blog and put this one up. This one is way better than yours!”

THANKS A LOT, MATT…You’ll pay for that comment dearly! lol

Yall this baked macaroni and cheese is FULL OF SOUL!! That is the first thing that came to mind when I took that first bite. Usually, I’m not that into mac and cheese recipes that involve Velveeta, but this one….yeah, this one gets a pass!

I just love how that top layer of smoked cheese forms like a crust. It’s super creamy, flavorful, and easy. The MVP is definitely that SMOKED CHEDDAR! Good God, I couldn’t stop eating this stuff.

So big sis…I will bow down gracefully to you and say that you make THE BEST Baked MAC N CHEESE EVER!
I have printed out this recipe, took a photo of it, laminated it, and put it in my recipe album. Not many recipes get to make it to the album. She’s a keeper!

I’m sure that if you give it a try, it will end up going into your recipe collection, as well.

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (3)

Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

4.59 from 930 ratings

This southern baked macaronis and cheese is full of soul and flavor. Smoked cheddar is the secret to this truly addictive, baked macaroni and cheese recipe.

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 35 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup Colby & Monterey Jack, shredded (cheese blend)
  • 6-8 oz Velveeta cheese, shredded (feel free to cut back on the Velveeta if you don't want it to be super creamy)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded (can use less if you don't like a sharp taste in your mac n cheese)
  • salt & pepper, to taste
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup smoked cheddar cheese, shredded (a must)
  • paprika, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.

  • Cook macaroni until just al dente or a little under al dente. (Look on the back of the box to see how long you need to cook your pasta for it to reach al dente.) Be careful not to overcook.

  • Drain pasta and set aside.

  • In a large bowl, add milk, heavy cream & cheeses (except for the smoked cheddar).

  • Stir to combine.

  • Taste the milk mixture and add salt & pepper until it has a good taste. (You can also add in other seasonings like onion powder, paprika, etc. Tasting will help avoid having a plain, bland baked macaroni & cheese.)

  • When you are content with the taste, add the eggs.

  • Stir well until combined.

  • Butter a 9 x 9-inch baking dish.

  • Add macaroni to the baking dish.

  • Pour cheese mixture over macaroni.

  • Make sure the cheese is distributed well.

  • Top with the smoked cheddar cheese. (I add a little more Colby jack as well.) Sprinkle with paprika and/or black pepper, if desired.

  • Bake for 35-45 minutes. Do not overbake. It may be a bit jiggly when you take it out of the oven. It will firm up as it cool.

  • Let cool for about 10-15 minutes or until fully set.

  • Enjoy!

Video

Notes

~Tips~
Smoked cheddar cheese can be found in grocery stores in the specialty cheese section, not with the shredded, common cheeses. I get mine from Walmart.
Do not over bake! Mac and cheese may be a tad jiggly when removed from oven but it will firm up as it cools.
Feel free to use other cheeses, but that smoked cheddar is a MUST!

Cuisine: American, southern

Course: macaroni and cheese, Main, Main Course, Side Dish

Author: Divas Can Cook

Tried this recipe?Mention @divascancook on Instagram or tag #divascancook.

*UPDATE* Sorry sis but I think I’ve discovered a new best-baked macaroni and cheese recipe lol I’ll be posting it soon guys, but this one is still a favorite!!

Wait I’ve got more macaroni and cheese recipes!! Check these out!

Creamy baked macaroni and cheese!

(this one is great for kids and adults It has no Velveeta)

The first mac and cheese posted on my site.

Holiday Holiday Side Dishes Juneteenth Food Main Dish Side Dish Soul Food Classics Southern Classics Thanksgiving

originally published on Dec 6, 2009 (last updated Sep 18, 2021)

792 comments Leave a comment »

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792 comments on “Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe”

Leave a comment »

  1. Shauna Smith Reply

    Still not able to find the smoked cheddar cheese shredded here in Chicago

  2. Ruth Reply

    I have mine in the oven right now.

Leave a Reply

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What to add to mac and cheese to make it better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

Why is my homemade mac and cheese not creamy? ›

Pro Tip: Don't use pre-shredded cheese. Many store-bought shredded cheese brands coat their cheese with an anti-caking agent than can make sauces grainy and less creamy. While it requires a bit of an arm workout, grating your own yields the best texture.

Why add sour cream to mac and cheese? ›

The trick to making the perfect French onion boxed mac and cheese is to swap out the milk and butter for sour cream. It has the same velvety richness as butter but with a pleasant tang. Plus, while it gets the same job done as the milk, it's a hundred times creamier, making the end result impossibly luscious.

What are the three best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What does adding more milk to mac and cheese do? ›

Creamier Mac and Cheese Starts with Milk

Now, you usually add milk later in the cooking process to make the cheese sauce, but for an extra touch of luscious creaminess, incorporate the milk at the very beginning of cooking.

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? Yes, adding more cheese than a recipe calls for will not improve the dish. Too much cheese will result in a dish that is heavy and greasy.

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste bland? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce. The next time you make it, try to find some more strongly flavor cheese, or adding more cheese.

How do you fix bad taste in mac and cheese? ›

20 Easy Ways To Make Boxed Mac And Cheese Even Better
  1. Add Cream Cheese.
  2. Replace The Milk.
  3. Upgrade The Cheese.
  4. Give It A Cheffy Twist.
  5. Turn It Into A Main Dish With Meat.
  6. Mix In New Flavors To Create Magic.
Feb 9, 2024

What cheeses are not to use for mac and cheese? ›

Those preservatives keep the pieces from melting evenly, and you'll end up with gritty, lumpy mac & cheese. Dry, crumbly cheeses like feta or cotija are not ideal. With their high moisture levels, they don't melt properly and will leave you with clumps of cheese instead of a smooth sauce.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

Which president made macaroni and cheese? ›

You can thank Thomas Jefferson for the mac and cheese on your Thanksgiving table. The story of how macaroni and cheese came to America, and has now become the most popular Thanksgiving side dish in Virginia, tells a story of America.

How do you increase the flavor of cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Boil it better

Skip the draining step, and add more milk as the noodles cook, if needed. Once al dente, stir in an extra 1 cup of shredded cheese and voila: less powdered cheese flavor, more homemade vibes and a hint of cheesy goodness infused right into the macaroni itself.

What goes well with homemade mac and cheese? ›

  • 1 / 25. Roasted Broccoli. Perfectly seasoned broccoli florets roasted until crisp and caramelized. ...
  • 2 / 25. Garlic Green Beans. ...
  • 3 / 25. Glazed Carrots. ...
  • 4 / 25. Easy Sautéed Spinach. ...
  • 5 / 25. Easy 10-Minute Garlic Broccolini. ...
  • 6 / 25. 5-Ingredient Kale Caesar Salad. ...
  • 7 / 25. Shaved Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • 8 / 25. Spanakopita Kale Salad.

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