• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Dinner at the Zoo

  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food

Home » Dinner » Southern Mac and Cheese

October 25, 2019 By Sara 14 Comments

Southern Mac and Cheese

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Southern mac and cheese is a baked macaroni dish made with two types of cheese, eggs, milk and seasonings. It’s super easy to make and can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a larger crowd!

You can never go wrong with a piping hot pan of homemade macaroni and cheese. Some of our favorite recipes include slow cooker mac and cheese, buffalo chicken mac and cheese, and this Southern style version.

Southern Mac and Cheese | Baked Macaroni and Cheese #pasta #macandcheese #dinner #comfortfood #cheese #dinneratthezoo Southern Mac and Cheese | Baked Macaroni and Cheese #pasta #macandcheese #dinner #comfortfood #cheese #dinneratthezoo

A spoon serving up a portion of Southern mac and cheese.

There are so many different ways to make mac and cheese, but this Southern mac and cheese is one of my all time favorites. There’s no need to take the extra time to make a cheese sauce, simply toss everything together, bake it in the oven, then watch the rave reviews pour in!

How do you make Southern mac and cheese?

The key to this Southern mac and cheese is the cheese mixture. Unlike some recipes, there is no need to cook up a sauce on the stove. Simply mix together milk, cream, eggs, shredded cheese and seasoning. Combine this cheese mixture with boiled macaroni and put it all in a baking dish. Sprinkle a little cheddar on top as a finishing touch.  After a trip through the oven, the cheese and milk turn into a creamy and delicious sauce while the noodles soak up all the flavor. The mac and cheese is ready to serve with a little chopped parsley sprinkled on top.

A bowl of milk, cream, two types of shredded cheese and seasonings.

Tips for Southern mac and cheese

  • Always use freshly shredded cheese, avoid bagged pre-shredded cheese which can have anti-caking agents and may not melt as well as freshly shredded cheese.
  • For the creamiest mac and cheese, buy a block of American cheese from your deli counter.
  • Use whole milk for the best flavor and texture.
  • You can assemble the mac and cheese up to 4 hours before you plan to bake it. Simply mix together the cheese mixture and the macaroni and refrigerate it until it’s ready to go into the oven.
  • Feel free to use any small pasta shape that you like such as small shells, rotini, or fusilli.
  • Make sure to let the pasta sit for at least 10 minutes before you serve it. This allows the mac and cheese to reach the perfect consistency and temperature.

Macaroni tossed with eggs, milk and cheese.

What can I add to mac and cheese?

Mac and cheese works well with so many flavors. Feel free to add ingredients such ass cooked bacon, jalapeno slices, cooked diced chicken, hot sauce, tomatoes, peas, cooked ground beef, crumbled and cooked sausage, spinach or even crispy breadcrumbs on top.

A dish full of macaroni topped with shredded cheese.

What are the best cheeses for mac and cheese?

Mac and cheese must have a good flavor and be creamy. I like cheddar cheese for that classic mac and cheese flavor, and I add deli American cheese for that silky creaminess. If you want to add other flavors, you can mix in other cheeses that melt well such as smoked cheddar, Gouda, Monterey Jack or fontina.

Southern mac and cheese topped with melted cheddar and parsley.

WHAT GOES WITH MAC AND CHEESE?

Mac and cheese is great as a side dish or a main course. I often serve it as a side dish with one of the following protein options.

  • Grilled Chicken Thighs with Cilantro and Lime
  • Fried Chicken Wings
  • Grilled Pork Chops
  • Turkey Meatloaf
  • Grilled Chicken Breast

This Southern Mac and Cheese bakes up creamy and delicious. It tastes so good, no one will believe how easy it is to make!

A spoon serving up a portion of Southern mac and cheese.
Print Pin
5 from 10 votes

Southern Mac and Cheese

This Southern mac and cheese is a baked macaroni dish made with two types of cheese, eggs, milk and seasonings. It's super easy to make and can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a larger crowd!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword baked mac and cheese, southern mac and cheese
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 609kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces macaroni noodles cooked in salted water for 1 minute less than package calls for
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided use
  • 8 ounce block American cheese shredded
  • cooking spray
  • 1 tablespoon parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 2 or 3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Place the milk, heavy cream, eggs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese and the American cheese in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Add the cooked noodles to the bowl and toss to coat the noodles evenly with the milk mixture.
  • Pour the noodle mixture into the prepared dish.
  • Cover the dish with foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Uncover the dish and sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese over the top. Bake for an additional 20 minutes.
  • Let cool for 10 minutes so that the pasta can set. Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 609kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 154mg | Sodium: 760mg | Potassium: 306mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1228IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 783mg | Iron: 2mg

Filed Under: Dinner, Pasta Tagged With: Cheese, Mac and Cheese

Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

« Beet Salad with Avocado and Feta
Reuben Dip »

Comments

  1. Britt says

    June 30, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    Is it safe to double the recepie and use the same baking time?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      June 30, 2020 at 9:14 pm

      Yes that should be fine!

      Reply
  2. Lisa Woods says

    June 8, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! I change something every time I cook this dish. My favorite recipe for macaroni and cheese so far!!!

    Reply
  3. Cathy says

    November 2, 2019 at 3:43 pm

    I love a good baked mac & cheese…and this looks sooo cheesy!

    Reply
  4. Catalina says

    October 31, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    I am drooling over all this cheese! Looks fantastic!

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    October 30, 2019 at 2:44 pm

    5 stars
    This did not disappoint! We loved the two different cheeses and how quick it cooked up!

    Reply
  6. Chrissie Baker says

    October 30, 2019 at 12:44 am

    5 stars
    This sounds so delicious! I’m looking forward to trying it this weekend!

    Reply
  7. Deanne says

    October 29, 2019 at 6:27 pm

    5 stars
    This mac and cheese was a home run at our household! Will make again for sure!

    Reply
  8. Caroline says

    October 29, 2019 at 6:18 pm

    5 stars
    Looks so cheesy and comforting! Definitely great to serve a crowd.

    Reply
  9. Lisa Huff says

    October 29, 2019 at 5:38 pm

    5 stars
    So much cheesy goodness! This would make a great Thanksgiving dish!

    Reply
  10. Erica Schwarz says

    October 29, 2019 at 5:17 pm

    5 stars
    After pizza, macaroni and cheese is my literal favorite thing in this world. I have never made it “southern style” but I will try this! Looks so much easier than making the cheese sauce.

    Reply
  11. Jas says

    October 29, 2019 at 5:03 pm

    5 stars
    I could never say no to good mac and cheese, especially if it’s as cheesy as this one. YUM!

    Reply
  12. Dorothy Reinhold says

    October 29, 2019 at 4:41 pm

    Mac and cheese that looks likes this is ALWAYS a good idea!

    Reply
  13. Jacque Hooper says

    October 29, 2019 at 3:40 pm

    5 stars
    I loved all the cheesy goodness in this recipe; easily this is a new family favorite recipe in our home! My kids devoured it instantly!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More
category category category category category category category

Categories

Sites I am featured In
PRIVACY POLICY © Sara Welch and Dinner at the Zoo® LLC, 2015-2018.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food