A rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying Southern-style baked macaroni and cheese that brings comfort with every bite. This soul food classic features a perfect blend of sharp and stretchy cheeses with a golden, crispy top that will transport you straight to a Sunday dinner at grandma’s table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t just any mac and cheese—it’s a Southern tradition that stands apart from boxed versions. The combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella creates a perfect balance of flavor and texture, while the custard-like base (thanks to eggs and heavy cream) produces a mac and cheese that’s creamy in the middle with an irresistible golden crust. It’s simple enough for weeknight dinners but special enough for holiday gatherings and Sunday suppers. This recipe delivers that authentic soul food experience that keeps people coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Elbow macaroni serves as the foundation of this dish, with its hollow shape perfectly capturing the cheese sauce in every bite. For the most authentic Southern experience, cook it just until al dente as it will continue cooking in the oven.
Sharp cheddar cheese brings the bold, tangy flavor that defines a good mac and cheese. Its ability to melt smoothly while maintaining character makes it essential to this recipe.
Mozzarella cheese adds that stretchy, pull-apart quality that makes every bite Instagram-worthy. Its mild flavor balances the sharpness of the cheddar, creating perfect cheese harmony.
Whole milk contributes creaminess without making the dish too rich. It helps create the perfect sauce consistency when combined with the heavier ingredients.
Heavy cream is what takes this from everyday mac and cheese to soul food territory. It adds luxurious richness and helps create that custard-like texture as it bakes.
Butter contributes richness and helps create the base for your cheese sauce. It also adds that unmistakable flavor that makes homemade mac and cheese so comforting.
Eggs transform this mac and cheese into a proper Southern casserole. They bind everything together and create that distinctive texture that sits between creamy and firm.
Garlic powder adds subtle depth without overwhelming the cheese. It’s one of those background flavors that you might not immediately identify but would definitely miss if it weren’t there.
Mustard powder enhances the cheese flavor without adding actual mustard taste. It’s a secret ingredient that many cheese-based recipes rely on to amplify flavor.
Salt and pepper are essential for balancing and bringing out all the other flavors. Season carefully, remembering that cheese already contains salt.
Breadcrumbs create that coveted crispy top layer that provides textural contrast to the creamy interior. Though optional, they’re highly recommended for the full experience.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the milk and heavy cream, then bring to a simmer.
- Whisk in the garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the cheeses until melted and smooth.
- In a bowl, beat the eggs and add them to the sauce, mixing well.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and pour into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Servings and Timing
This recipe serves 6 generous portions, perfect for a family dinner with potential leftovers. You’ll need about 10 minutes for preparation and 30 minutes for baking, making the total time approximately 40 minutes. Each serving contains around 550 calories, making it a hearty main dish or substantial side.
Variations
Spicy Southern Mac: Mix in diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper for heat.
Three-Cheese Upgrade: Incorporate Gruyère, fontina, or Colby jack for even more complex flavor.
Veggie-Packed: Fold in roasted broccoli, caramelized onions, or sautéed bell peppers.
Crispy Topping Alternatives: Try crushed Ritz crackers, fried onions, or even crushed potato chips instead of breadcrumbs.
Buffalo Chicken: Add shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce for a game day favorite.
Storage/Reheating
Refrigeration: Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing: This mac and cheese freezes well for up to 3 months. Portion it before freezing for easier reheating, and allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating in Oven: For best results, reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of milk if it seems dry.
Microwave Method: For quick reheating, microwave individual portions at 50% power, stirring occasionally until heated through (about 2-3 minutes depending on portion size).
Preventing Dryness: When reheating, add a tablespoon of milk or cream and cover the dish to help maintain moisture.
FAQs
Why is my mac and cheese grainy instead of creamy?
Grainy texture usually happens when cheese is heated too quickly or at too high a temperature. Remove the pot from direct heat before adding cheese and stir constantly as it melts. Also, pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents can sometimes create a grainy texture, so grating your own is best.
Can I make this mac and cheese ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble it up to a day ahead and refrigerate unbaked. Add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator. You can also partially bake it, cool, refrigerate, and finish baking just before serving.
What’s the best cheese to use for mac and cheese?
The combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella provides a perfect balance of flavor and meltability. However, cheeses like Gruyère, fontina, gouda, or Monterey Jack work well too. Avoid aged hard cheeses alone as they don’t melt as smoothly.
Can I make this recipe without eggs?
Yes, though the texture will be different. Without eggs, you’ll have a creamier, saucier mac and cheese rather than the slightly firmer, casserole-like Southern style. If omitting eggs, increase cheese by about 1/2 cup to help with binding.
Why do you add mustard powder to mac and cheese?
Mustard powder enhances and sharpens the cheese flavor without adding a distinct mustard taste. It contains acids that help break down proteins in cheese, resulting in smoother melting and better flavor development.
My mac and cheese is too dry. What went wrong?
Overbaking or using too little liquid can cause dryness. Make sure to cook the pasta just to al dente (or even slightly under) as it will continue cooking in the oven. Also, ensure your sauce is quite saucy before baking, as it will thicken considerably.
Can I use different pasta shapes?
Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is traditional, any short pasta shape that can hold sauce works well. Shells, cavatappi, rotini, or penne are excellent alternatives. Just adjust cooking times accordingly to reach al dente.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, but it can be adapted by using gluten-free pasta and replacing breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives. The sauce itself contains no gluten ingredients if you’re using pure spices without fillers.
What can I serve with Southern baked mac and cheese?
Classic pairings include smoked meats, fried chicken, collard greens, fried okra, cornbread, or baked beans. For a lighter meal, serve with a simple green salad with vinaigrette.
Why did my cheese sauce curdle?
Curdling usually happens when eggs are added to a too-hot mixture or when the dish is overcooked. Always temper eggs by adding a little of the warm cheese sauce to them first, then incorporate this mixture back into the sauce. Also, avoid boiling the sauce after adding eggs.
Conclusion
This Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese represents soul food cooking at its finest—combining simple ingredients into something truly special. The creamy interior with its golden crust embodies comfort food perfection, while the blend of sharp cheddar and mozzarella creates depth of flavor that boxed versions simply can’t match. Whether served as a star side dish at your holiday table or as the main attraction on a weeknight, this recipe delivers the authentic taste of Southern tradition in every forkful. It’s more than just a dish—it’s a celebration of how humble ingredients, prepared with care, can become something truly memorable.
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Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese Soul Food Style
A rich and creamy Southern baked macaroni and cheese, perfect for a soul food-inspired dish, combining sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and a creamy sauce with a breadcrumb topping.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the milk and heavy cream, then bring to a simmer.
- Whisk in the garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the cheeses until melted and smooth.
- In a bowl, beat the eggs and add them to the sauce, mixing well.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and pour into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
- Breadcrumbs are optional but add a delicious crispy topping.
- For extra flavor, you can add a dash of paprika or cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.
- Make sure the cheese is fully melted and smooth before combining with the macaroni.
- Let the macaroni and cheese cool for a few minutes before serving for easier portioning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Soul Food
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
