Southern baked macaroni and cheese is one of the most important sides at every Southern holiday meal. Creamy, Cheesy, Delicious! I love macaroni and cheese. I love the different southern recipes and have tried most all of them.
This is one of those dishes that most people have their own version. I hope you’ll give this one a try, I’m sure you’ll love it too. It’s got a secret ingredient. Well I guess it’s not much of a secret since you can buy it anywhere, but might be a bit different.
I think all baked macaroni and cheeses need a couple of key elements – creaminess and cheesiness. This will give you just that.
I came across the “secret” part one holiday preparing this dish and instead of making a cheese sauce decided to try something. It turned out great!
My holiday macaroni and cheese has been called “legendary” and for good reason, it’s the best that I have ever put in my mouth.
I’m telling you anyone who’s had this mac and cheese raves about it. I don’t even have to put butter in it. Shocking, I know, I know. Trust me though, it’s so good. This recipe is for the large size casserole.
Southern Baked Macaroni & Cheese
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Elbow Macaroni Noodles
- Two 10 3/4 ounce cans Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
- Heavy Cream
- 2 Large Eggs
- Whole Milk or Two Cans of Evaporated Milk
- 1 1/2 pounds of Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 8 ounces Colby Cheese, grated
- 4 ounces Seriously Sharp White Cheddar, such as Cabot
- 4 ounces Smoked Cheddar Cheese, grated
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Salt for boiling pasta
Best Baked Mac and Cheese
First, I’m going to give you a time saving tip: Grate all of the cheeses the day before. Put in a large zip lock back and mix them all together.
For heavens sake, don’t be afraid to use ALL of the cheese. Good macaroni and cheese has lots of cheese and you can tell the ones that don’t.
Fill a large stock pot with water and add salt. Bring to a boil and add pasta. Boil on medium high heat, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.
While the pasta cooks, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese
In a large mixing bowl beat two eggs together with whole milk or evaporated milk (I like it both ways) then add the salt and pepper and half of the grated cheese.
There are some who would say that the evaporated milk adds extra richness. I’ll let you decide.
You’ll reserve the rest of the grated cheese for layering and covering the casserole.
Soul Food Smokey Mac & Cheese
Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Add the drained macaroni pasta to the creamy cheese sauce and stir to combine.
Transfer the cheesy macaroni to the mixing bowl with the cheese and milk mixture then stir to combine.
Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy Custard Style Mac and Cheese
Southern Baked Macaroni & Cheese
Southern Baked Macaroni & Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb Macaroni Noodles
- Two 10 3/4 oz. cans Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
- 1 1/4 c Heavy Cream
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 1/2 c Whole Milk OR 2 Cans of Evaporated Milk
- 1 1/2 lb Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese grated
- 8 oz Colby Cheese grated
- 4 oz Seriously Sharp White Cheddar such as Cabot
- 4 oz Smoked Cheddar Cheese grated
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Salt for boiling pasta
Instructions
- Fill a large stock pot with water and add salt. Bring to a boil then add the pasta.
- Boil on medium high heat, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl beat two eggs together with milk.
- Add salt and pepper and half of the grated cheese.
- When the noodles are done, drain well in a colander to remove all water.
- In the pot you cooked the pasta, return to the burner (turn off the burner) and add the canned cheddar cheese soup. Stir in heavy cream.
- Return the drained noodles back to the pot and mix well to combine with the cheese sauce mixture.
- Pour the grated cheese and milk mixture into the pot and combine.
- Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray then add half of the macaroni and cheese mixture.
- Layer on some of the grated cheddar.
- Add the remaining macaroni and cheese mixture and cover well with remaining grated cheddar. Do not overfill your casserole dish!
- Bake 45 minutes until macaroni and cheese is bubbly browned on top.
- Remove from oven and let stand at least 15 minutes before serving so it can set up.
Recommended Products
Nutrition
What to Serve with Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is often served as a side dish for the meal but many enjoy it as the main meal itself. Here are a few suggestions of what to serve with macaroni and cheese.
- Cooked Hot Dog Wieners
- Smoked Sausage Bites
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Side Salad
- Pork Chops
- Ham
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Thank you so much for stopping by! I’m so glad that you did. I know that you are going to love this easy baked macaroni and cheese just as much as we do.
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About Julia
Hey Y’all! I’m Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia’s Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Sunday 31st of December 2023
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Sunday 31st of December 2023
1
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Sunday 31st of December 2023
1
Nate
Sunday 13th of November 2022
What size can evaporated milk? "2 cans" of 12 oz seems like a lot more that 1.5 oz whole milk. Thanks.
Julia Jordan
Sunday 13th of November 2022
Hi Nate! I tend to use a bit less whole milk than the evaporated milk. I do use the 12 ounce cans. If you feel like you need more whole milk then you can use more. ~Julia
Garima Pal
Monday 6th of February 2017
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