The Best Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese is loaded with four different cheeses, butter, and milk to create the ultimate cheesy dish. Southern baked mac and cheese is a delicious soul food staple that’s perfect for holidays, BBQs, and weeknights.

While you’re here be sure to check out this Homemade Beefaroni and this Chili Mac and Cheese recipe too!

This isn’t your grandma’s southern baked macaroni and cheese, it’s better! This recipe is easy. Load up with your freshly grated cheese and melted butter, for a deliciously decadent indulgence.

Because let’s face it- mac and cheese is not going to be diet-friendly, but it’s worth every cheesy bite. This side dish is a show-stopper whenever it shows up on the dinner table or cookouts.

For more mac and cheese recipes you gotta check out this decadent Lobster Mac and Cheese and this crab infused version next!

What is Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese?

Soul food and southern cuisine are intertwined and macaroni and cheese is at the very center. This dish gets its “southern charm” from the generous serving of butter and seasoning flavors.

It’s the simple mixture of milk, cheeses, butter, seasonings and pasta that makes this recipe a traditional southern dish.

Southern Mac and Cheese Ingredients

Everyone knows the best southern macaroni and cheese recipe is made by grating your own cheese! It’s the key to a supremely creamy mac and cheese because it melts so well. But butter is the heart of this recipe, so don’t skimp on it!

Baked Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients

• Pasta: Elbow macaroni or shells, par-boiled
• Velveeta cheese: or any American cheese, adds a great creaminess to the recipe- trust me on this one!
• Sharp cheddar cheese: you want the sharp cheddar for a nice tanginess to your macaroni and cheese.
• Gouda cheese: if you want to add a smokiness, use smoked gouda cheese. You can also sub this for mozzarella cheese or colby jack instead.
• Butter: you’re going to use melted butter to make your roux with the flour.
• Milk and heavy cream: these are the liquids you use to make the mac and cheese extra creamy! Whole fat milk or 2% milk will work.

Cheese Sauce Seasoning

• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Seasoned salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika

How to Make Southern Macaroni and Cheese

See recipe card for exact instructions and measurements.

Bring water in a stockpot to a rapid boil, adding a pinch of salt to the water for flavor. Then gently pour the pasta into the boiling water and cook for 10 minutes. Drain the water and rinse the cooked macaroni with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Add butter to that same large pot over medium heat. Add your butter and gently stir in your flour to make a roux. Then add the milk, Velveeta, and seasoning.

Gradually add shredded cheese (not the reserved portion) to the pot, gently stirring so the mixture doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan and burn.

Once the cheese sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, turn off the heat and add your al dente macaroni to the pot.

Stir continuously so each noodle is coated with cheese. Then add the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish. Add additional cheese and butter between layers of the mac and cheese.

Reserve half of the cheddar cheese for the topping.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove it from the oven, stir, and add the remaining cheese. Then place it back in the oven and bake for 5-10 minutes until a nice golden crust is achieved.

Hint: Have your cheeses prepared (either shredded or cubed) before you begin your cheese sauce. Have it by the stove in a large bowl for easy access.

Substitutions & Variations

• Cheese – Swap any of the cheese for Colby jack, Monterey jack cheese, American cheese, or white cheddar to switch up the flavor.
• Creamy – Instead of Velveeta, you can enrich your southern macaroni and cheese with sour cream or cream cheese.
• Pasta – I love using elbow macaroni but this recipe works with cavatappi too.
• Milk – Depending on how thick or creamy you want the cheese sauce to be, you can use evaporated milk, heavy cream, half and half, or whole milk. However, I do not recommend using nonfat milk for this recipe.
• Spicy – Want a kick of spice? Infuse the cheese sauce with cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce.

Equipment

You will need a large stockpot to make the cheese sauce. Use a baking dish to contain the macaroni mixture and cook the southern macaroni and cheese.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or larger portions in the oven at 300°F until warmed through.

To make ahead, assemble the southern macaroni and cheese, seal it with two sheets of aluminum foil and refrigerate or freeze until you’re ready to bake it. defrost frozen macaroni and cheese overnight in the fridge before baking.

FAQ

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with southern baked macaroni and cheese recipe: