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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
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 sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup parmigiano reggiano shredded
- 1 cup fontina cheese shredded
- 1 cup pecorino romano cheese shredded
- 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.
Anne D
Friday 27th of November 2020
I can understand why this is such a popular recipe! It was epic! My husband said it was the best mac & cheese he has ever had and we are already making plans to do the bacon version and the lobster version from Brandi's IG stories. I made a half portion and it was perfect for us. I forgot to buy the muenster cheese so we had just the four cheeses and it was still so amazing. This will definitely be a holiday staple from now on.
staysnatched
Friday 27th of November 2020
Yay! So glad you gave it a try.
shauna
Friday 27th of November 2020
I made this for thanksgiving dinner last night and it came out great! I’ve never made a successful bechamel before but I finally had it turn out while following this recipe. It was great.
staysnatched
Friday 27th of November 2020
Wonderful! I'm glad the sauce worked for you.
Angela Crawford
Thursday 26th of November 2020
Winner winner!! This mac and cheese smacks!!!! Its so creamy and the diffrent cheeses make the dish so flavorful. I made a portion for myself and sent another to my mothers. Black mommas don't play about their mac and cheese. My mom and her husband called to tell me how I put my foot in the mac and cheese. It's delicious. If you skip this recipe you are playing yourself!
staysnatched
Friday 27th of November 2020
haha! Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Sarah
Thursday 26th of November 2020
I made this for my first Mac and cheese EVER for thanksgiving! It was so easy and so good! Everyone was shocked at all of the different cheeses beforehand but whew that flavor!! Amazing!! Thank you so much for this!!
staysnatched
Friday 27th of November 2020
The flavor is the best part. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Cortney Holder
Thursday 26th of November 2020
OMG this was a Thanksgiving hit!! Delicious :)
staysnatched
Friday 27th of November 2020
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.