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Razzle Dazzle Life » Side Dish

The Best Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This post was last updated on April 18, 2025 at 1:13 pm

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Take Me to the Recipe

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!

Jump to:
  • What is Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese?
  • Southern Mac and Cheese Ingredients
  • Baked Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients
  • How to Make Southern Macaroni and Cheese
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • Equipment
  • Storage
  • Top tip for the Best Mac and Cheese
  • FAQ
  • Related
  • Pairing
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments
close up view of baked southern macaroni and cheese with a corner piece missing

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.

a casserole dish full of southern mac and cheese with a fork hovering over it with some macaroni and cheese on it

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!

a bowl of shredded cheese

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.

a coriander filled with cooked and drained macaroni noodles

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then spray a 9x13 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.

a pot of cheese sauce with a wooden spoon coated with sauce hovering over 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.

assembled macaroni and cheese in a casserole dish before baking

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.

baked macaroni and cheese in a casserole dish

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.
southern baked macaroni and cheese in a casserole dish

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.

a dish full of southern macaroni and cheese with a wooden spoon inserted and multiple pieces missing

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.

southern macaroni and cheese cut to reveal the cheesy noodles underneath

Top tip for the Best Mac and Cheese

It's important to layer the pasta, cheeses, and butter. This is how you get the best cheese pull.

a casserole dish full of southern mac and cheese with a fork hovering over it with some mac and cheese on it

FAQ

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese?

The best 3-cheese combination for baked macaroni and cheese is sharp cheddar cheese, Colby Jack, and gouda.

Why is my macaroni and cheese so greasy?

Making a roux with the flour and butter helps get rid of some of the oil that the cheeses produce during baking. Also, you may have added too much butter.

Should you you egg in mac and cheese?

Egg is an optional ingredient that people often add when they desire a custard-like consistency. Many Caribbean mac and cheese recipes use eggs but it's not necessary for southern baked macaroni and cheese.

What to add to macaroni and cheese to make it taste better?

Enhance the flavor of homemade mac and cheese by generously adding seasoning and spices like garlic powder, nutmeg, and paprika. Without them, the dish tastes bland.

a casserole dish full of southern mac and cheese with a fork hovering over it with some mac and cheese on it

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • A big spoonful of Chili Mac and Cheese with a heaping pot of more behind it
    One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
  • macaroni and cheese with crab in a bowl with a spoon next to it
    CRAB MAC N' CHEESE
  • baked spaghetti n a spoon with steam coming out
    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti
  • close up view of chicken alfredo lasagna in a baking dish with a spatula inserted
    Creamy and Cheesy Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Pairing

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

  • Collard greens in a white bowl
    Tried and True Southern Collard Greens Recipe
  • soul food egg rolls cut open sitting on a cutting board
    Soul Rolls
  • fried pork chops are served on a platter with chopped up parsley sprinkled over the top for garnishment
    Perfectly Seasoned Fried Pork Chops
  • Lemon Pepper Honey Chicken Wings
    Lemon Pepper Honey Chicken Wings

📖 Recipe

close up view of pan of southern macaroni and cheese with a spoon inserted, removing a scoop

The Best Southern Macaroni and Cheese

Southern Macaroni and Cheese is loaded with three 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.
Print Recipe SaveSaved! Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked mac and cheese, mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese, southern baked macaroni
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 547kcal
Author: Tamara J.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Elbow pasta par-boiled
  • 2 tablespoon Chicken bouillon powder
  • 8 ounces Velveeta cheese cubed
  • 16 ounces Sharp cheddar cheese shredded, reserve half to sprinkle on top
  • 8 ounces Gouda cheese shredded
  • 8 ounces Colby jack shredded
  • ½ stick Butter Unsalted, cut into ½ tablespoon slats
  • 3 tablespoons Flour
  • 2 cups Milk
  • 2 cups Heavy cream

SEASONING (TO TASTE)

  • ½ tablespoon Onion powder
  • ½ tablespoon Garlic powder
  • ½ tablespoon Seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Bring water in a stockpot to a rapid boil, add the chicken bouillon powder to the water for flavor. Gently pour the pasta in to the boiling water and cook for 7 minutes (you want the pasta under cooked so it can continue cooking in the oven).
  • Drain the water and rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Add butter to that same large pot over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and stir it in until it soaks up all of the butter. Keep stirring for about 5 minutes to cook off the flour taste and form a roux. Now add the milk, heavy cream, Velveeta, and seasoning.
  • Gradually add the shredded cheese to the pot, reserving 3 cups to layer, and sprinkle over the top. Gently stir 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.
  • Layer the macaroni and cheese in the prepared baking dish. Add shredded cheese between the layers of the mac and cheese. Reserve half of the cheddar cheese for the topping.
  • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the Mac and cheese from the oven and turn the oven to broil, add the dish back to the oven and broil for 5-7 minutes to get a golden brown crust. Keep a close eye on it so that it doesn’t burn.

Notes

Any type of shredded cheese can be used in place of cheddar and gouda.
Elbow pasta can be replaced by a variety of different shaped pasta. In the past, I've used the recipe with bow-tie pasta, shells, and a few other varieties.

Recommended Products

KitchenAid Gourmet 4-Sided Stainless Steel Box Grater with Detachable Storage Container, Small, Black
KitchenAid Gourmet 4-Sided Stainless Steel Box Grater with Detachable Storage Container, Small, Black
McCormick Smoked Paprika, 1.75 oz
McCormick Smoked Paprika, 1.75 oz
Zulay Kitchen Premium Wooden Utensils For Cooking - 6 Pc Set Non-Stick Soft Comfortable Grip Wooden Cooking Utensils - Smooth Finish Teak Wooden Spoon Sets For Cooking
Zulay Kitchen Premium Wooden Utensils For Cooking - 6 Pc Set Non-Stick Soft Comfortable Grip Wooden Cooking Utensils - Smooth Finish Teak Wooden Spoon Sets For Cooking
McCormick Onion Powder, 7.62 oz
McCormick Onion Powder, 7.62 oz
HexClad 8 Quart Hybrid Nonstick Stockpot and Lid, Dishwasher and Oven Friendly, Compatible with All Cooktops
HexClad 8 Quart Hybrid Nonstick Stockpot and Lid, Dishwasher and Oven Friendly, Compatible with All Cooktops
DOWAN Ceramic Bakeware, Rectangular Baking Dish Roasting Lasagna Pans with Handles, Deep Casserole Dish Oven Safe for Cooking, Baking, Cake, Dinner, 11 x 7 x 3 Inches, Airy Blue
DOWAN Ceramic Bakeware, Rectangular Baking Dish Roasting Lasagna Pans with Handles, Deep Casserole Dish Oven Safe for Cooking, Baking, Cake, Dinner, 11 x 7 x 3 Inches, Airy Blue

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 1333mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog and tag me in your photo on Instagram or Facebook!

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Thanks for sharing!

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Comments

    5 from 3 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. margaret singleton says

    December 25, 2024 at 9:46 pm

    5 stars
    Can’t wait to try this recipe.

    Reply
  2. Renee says

    November 22, 2024 at 12:42 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made this Mac and cheese recipe two years in a row for Thanksgiving and my family absolutely loves it! So this is year 3!!

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      November 22, 2024 at 2:26 pm

      Yay! I love to hear this! I'm happy you and your family love it as much as we do!

      Reply
  3. Yolanda says

    April 28, 2024 at 2:13 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious

    Reply
  4. Jazz says

    April 30, 2020 at 6:17 pm

    Yaaaasss! This mac and cheese is it. I'm not looking for anything healthy lol.

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      April 30, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      This mac n' cheese is a true classic!

      Reply
  5. Christy Hoover says

    April 13, 2020 at 1:35 pm

    I made this for dinner and it was delicious. So smooth and creamy!

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      April 16, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      Wonderful! So happy you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  6. Kaluhi says

    April 13, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    Absolutely delightful and perfectly creamy!!!

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      April 16, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      Thank you Kaluhi!

      Reply
  7. Jayne Rain says

    April 12, 2020 at 8:21 pm

    I made this with my boys and they loved it so much. I must say the combination of the 3 kinds of cheese brings out the unique flavor of this mac and cheese.

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      April 16, 2020 at 2:34 pm

      Awesome! So happy you guys enjoyed it!

      Reply
  8. Katrina Adams says

    April 12, 2020 at 3:41 pm

    I love a good and creamy Mac and cheese!! Saving this recipe!!

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      April 16, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      Wonderful, enjoy!

      Reply
  9. Tisha says

    April 10, 2020 at 7:28 pm

    Yess this Mac n cheese looks perfect! I must try!

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      April 10, 2020 at 10:20 pm

      You definitely should! Thanks.

      Reply
  10. Capri says

    April 10, 2020 at 7:01 pm

    This mac and cheese is soooo good! My family devoured the whole dish in minutes. Your tips about seasoning the dish and layering the cheese and pasta were so helpful! Thanks for the recipe

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      April 10, 2020 at 10:21 pm

      Absolutely! So glad you guys enjoyed it!

      Reply
  11. Aline says

    April 10, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    Creamy mac and cheese is where it's at!!!!!! There's nothing better!! This recipe looks insanely delicious!

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      April 10, 2020 at 10:21 pm

      You're right! Thanks Aline!

      Reply
  12. Marta says

    April 09, 2020 at 2:22 am

    Making a deliciously creamy mac and cheese is an art form and you've nailed it!

    Reply
    • Tamara J. says

      April 09, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply

HEY, Y'ALL!

I'm Tamara! I'm a Southern girl who has cooking in her blood. A wife and busy mom of four awesome kids. I love sharing fun family ideas, money saving life hacks, and have a variety of fool-proof family-friendly recipes for the family on the go. Learn more about Tamara


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