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Southern-style baked macaroni and cheese is probably my favorite side dish. I have always loved it. I also love the various mac and cheese preparations with lobster, breadcrumbs, and more. I have been to several catered events with a mac and cheese bar and I absolutely love this idea. This is a holiday recipe favorite, so it is loaded with tons of cheese and other goodness. Thus, this dish deviates from the typical guilt-free Stay Snatched recipes. Be sure to check out my Mac and Cheese Bites recipe for a lightened-up, guilt-free version of this dish.
If you are a fan of mac and cheese, you will probably love my Bacon Gouda Mac and Cheese recipe as well.
What Cheese Makes the Best Mac and Cheese?
This recipe was prepared for Christmas dinner with my family. I typically use 4-5 different types of cheese. I often use gouda and go back and forth between using gouda and pecorino romano, for no particular reason. I love gouda. I love pretty much any cheese. Feel free to use your favorite types of cheese.
Parmigiano Reggiano is my favorite cheese to use while cooking. I have used it often in other recipes such Shrimp Scampi Dip, Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles, and Warm Spinach Dip with Parmesan. It adds an amazing bold flavor to the dish.
How Do You Make Southern Mac and Cheese?
There are so many ways to prepare traditional, homestyle, baked, soul food mac and cheese (however you want to describe baked mac and cheese). I am not a fan of mac and cheese that is watery and has too much liquid. I do not like mac and cheese that is dry and does not have a cheesy texture. My preferred dish has a crunchy crust on top, with cheesy goodness within.
Grate all of the cheese. This is actually my favorite step! Cut the muenster into small chunks. I do this because it does not grate as easy.
If you need tips on How to Cook Pasta for Macaroni and Cheese, check out this post.
How Do You Make Baked Mac and Cheese Creamy?
First, melt the butter in the saucepan. Add the flour and whisk to create a slurry. After the flour has been fully mixed, add the milk and half of all of the cheeses. Stir until the cheese has melted.
Layer, layer, layer! Layers are the key here. In order to get a great burst of cheese in every bite, you will add the macaroni, and then shredded cheese. This is similar to preparing a lasagna.
I usually prepare this dish for very large groups of family and around the holidays. I decided to test if my recipe could be divided in half to serve a smaller group and still hold up. It does! The photos below show the results of using 1/2 of the ingredients noted below. I still followed the exact same steps.
Do You Put Eggs in Macaroni and Cheese?
I don’t. An egg will make the mac and cheese less creamy on the inside. Eggs are used to bind. If you want mac and cheese that is more like a casserole, and less creamy, then use eggs.
You can check out John Legend’s Macaroni and Cheese recipe here.
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More Southern Style Recipes:
Southern Style Homemade Cornbread
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Southern Mustard Greens
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Instant Pot Southern Green Beans
Instant Pot Louisiana Gumbo
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
Lobster Mac and Cheese
Southern-Style Soul Food Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or cellentani pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2-3 cups milk I often use 2 cups. Use your judgement. Start with 2 and add more if needed.
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- onion powder to taste Start with 1/2 teaspoon. Taste and adjust.
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded parmigiano reggiano
- 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
- 1 cup shredded pecorino romano cheese
- 1/2 cup muenster cheese cut into small chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook the pasta in accordance with the instructions on the package.
- Drain the macaroni and rinse with cold water. This is important. You want the pasta to cool so that it does not continue to cook. The pasta will cook again while baking in the oven. Over-cooked pasta results in a terrible texture.
- Heat a sauce pan on medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt.
- Once melted, add the flour and whisk.
- This will create a roux. Continue to whisk until the four is fully combined.
- Add the milk and heavy whipping cream and stir.
- Add half of the shredded cheese and stir until the cheese is melted.
- Add the seasonings and taste repeatedly. This step is important because you don’t want bland mac and cheese.
- Return the pasta to the large pot. Drizzle the liquid mixture over the pasta and stir until fully combined.
- Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- Begin to layer in the pasta. Start with the pasta, then add a layer of all of the shredded cheese and muenster chunks.
- Add another layer of pasta, and then another layer of cheese.
- Ensure there is adequate liquid throughout these steps (additional milk works well). This can be tricky. You do not want the dish to appear like soup, but you do not want it to be dry.
- This step is important because without adequate liquid the dish will dry out while baking.
- Bake for 25-45 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly. I like for the crust on top to turn a deep golden brown, which takes more time. Use your judgment based on what works for you.
- Cool before serving.
Cathy
Sunday 25th of July 2021
This recipe is a winner for sure. My friends loved it. Thanks, Brandi!
Shannon
Sunday 4th of July 2021
My sister said there was no Mac and Cheese on the menu for the 4th. I had to fix that. I always refer back to this recipe when I make Mac and cheese.
staysnatched
Tuesday 6th of July 2021
Yay! I love hearing that.
Tori
Friday 2nd of July 2021
A friend of mine is moving to London this weekend and I thought there was no better American send off than Brandi's southern-style mac and cheese. It was an absolute hit per usual! Would highly recommend this recipe. Thank you thank you, Brandi!
staysnatched
Saturday 3rd of July 2021
You're welcome! Love to hear it!
L. Day
Wednesday 16th of June 2021
No Velveeta! Only real cheese!! This recipe is already winning. Played around with different types of cheeses I used, havarti is my fave. Simple to make. Every time delicious.
staysnatched
Wednesday 16th of June 2021
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it.
Blanca
Tuesday 15th of June 2021
Oops, should have written, can I