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Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
For my family, there are certain foods that are absolutely mandatory for us to have for family gatherings and special occasions. You have your hams, your turkeys, and roast beefs, but the stars of the show are definitely the sides and desserts. Cornbread dressing, collard greens, sweet potato pie, and pound cake are never missing from the table. It just doesn't feel like a holiday without them. But one of our all-time favorite recipes is baked macaroni and cheese, and this creamy southern mac and cheese recipe is our go-to!
Homemade mac and cheese recipes can vary wildly, but for me the best kind has a cheesy custard filling made with egg and evaporated milk. Then it's got a topping of even more lightly browned cheese. If you haven't had this style of old fashioned baked mac and cheese with evaporated milk, this will be your new favorite side dish!
How do you keep mac and cheese creamy?
Getting creamy mac and cheese can be a challenge, especially when you're using this custard-based method. That's why I'm sharing my secrets with you to make this southern baked mac and cheese just as creamy as can be! But before we continue, these are secrets! I'm sure I can trust you guys to keep it on the hush. But just make sure no one is looking over your shoulder while you read this. Ok, if the coast is clear, read on...
Secret #1: Overcook your macaroni
Normally, you would want to cook your macaroni until it's al dente -- that is, it still has a bit of a chew to it. But for this recipe, forget everything you learned from Giada de Laurentiis and boil your macaroni for two minutes longer than the maximum time listed on the package directions. For example, the macaroni I used instructed me to boil it for 8-10 minutes, so I set my timer for 12 minutes.
So how does this make your southern baked macaroni and cheese creamier? Well, as your macaroni boils, it absorbs water. So by boiling it a little longer, we're preventing the macaroni from absorbing too much of the milk while it's baking, allowing more of the milk to form that creamy, cheesy, custardy filling around the pasta. Trust me-- it works!
Secret #2: Mascarpone
OK, forget what I said about not being in Italy, because we're using a classic Italian ingredient to add to the creaminess of this soul food baked mac and cheese! Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese that adds a smooth, mild soft creaminess to bump up the creamy flavor of the cheese filling even further!
I got this idea from my Uncle Glenn, who told me about using mascarpone many Thanksgivings ago when I asked him how his mac n cheese recipe was so amazing! The mascarpone really takes it up a notch and makes this the best baked mac and cheese recipe!
Secret #3: Coat your macaroni in butter
You may have gathered from secret #1 that the key to making this easy baked mac and cheese super creamy is keeping the macaroni from absorbing too much liquid as it bakes. That's what this step is about as well! We're going to toss the cooked macaroni in butter before adding the other ingredients. This creates a barrier that prevents the other liquids from penetrating the macaroni as it bakes. It should help you to end up with more cheesy custard filling that makes the finished dish delicious!
Not-So-Secret #4: Freshly Grated Cheese
This definitely isn't much of a secret. But you'd be surprised how many people still use pre-shredded cheese to make their macaroni and cheese! It's so much faster, but pre-shredded cheese is often coated with cellulose (wood pulp!) to prevent it from sticking together, which dries it out significantly. This dryness will then translate into your dishes, which we definitely don't want.
For this southern baked macaroni and cheese, you should definitely buy your cheese in blocks and grate it yourself to keep the sauce nice and creamy. It's an extra step, but makes a huge difference!
What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese?
First, I like to use one semi-hard aged cheese like sharp cheddar. Then one creamy cheese that melts well, like mild cheddar, mozzarella or Monterey Jack. And finally, an extra-creamy cheese like mascarpone or cream cheese just to add to the creaminess of your southern baked mac and cheese recipe!
What milk is best for mac and cheese?
For me, evaporated milk is the way to go. Making old fashioned baked mac and cheese with evaporated milk is second nature to me. And I think it produces the creamiest results! Evaporated milk also works with the egg to create that custard filling that I just love. Here's everything else you'll need:
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- elbow macaroni - you'll need 8 ounces of macaroni (or small shells, or cavatappi, or whatever similar pasta shape you prefer. I find elbow macaroni is best for holding all that yummy cheese). So it's about half of a one-pound box.
- butter - I use salted, but you can use either salted or unsalted butter and adjust your seasonings accordingly.
- extra-sharp aged cheddar cheese - This cheese forms is the largest portion of the flavors in this soul food mac and cheese, so be sure to get the good stuff! I like to use a really good quality sharp cheddar cheese that's been aged at least 12 months for the most flavor. It should come in a block for you to grate yourself -- trust me, it makes a big difference in this southern mac and cheese recipe!
- mild cheddar cheese - you can also use any mild, melty cheese you like. Mild cheddar, gouda, jack, mozzarella, or fontina all work! Again, in block form for you to grate yourself.
- mascarpone cheese - that's right, we're using three types of cheese in this southern baked macaroni and cheese!
- whole milk - you can also use low-fat milk, and it still works well.
- evaporated milk - if you don't have evaporated milk, you can use a cup of heavy cream and omit the butter.
- salt - you can adjust the amount of salt to your taste, along with the seasonings below, before adding your egg.
- cajun or creole seasoning - I like the flavor boost from creole seasoning in this southern baked mac and cheese, especially with the blend of cheeses. I like Tony Chachere's. If you don't have any, you can substitute a half teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- dry mustard powder - adds a slight tangy flavor that goes so well with the cheese in this baked mac and cheese recipe.
- ground nutmeg - I always have whole nutmeg on hand to grate fresh, but in this recipe ground nutmeg works great too.
- egg - beaten well.
- cracked black pepper - to add to the top before baking. You can also add paprika or more cajun seasoning.
How do you make southern mac and cheese from scratch?
This is such an easy baked mac and cheese recipe! This video shows you how to put it together, step by step!
- First, cook your macaroni until it's nice and tender, drain it, and stir in some butter.
- Then you'll combine your milks and mascarpone in a large bowl and whisk it to make sure it's all smooth.
- Add in your grated cups of cheese and seasonings, then stir in your buttered macaroni.
- Pour the mixture into a buttered baking dish, then top with more cheese and bake!
- Let it cool for a bit out of the oven, and then enjoy your easy southern mac and cheese!
Equipment
The first thing you'll need is a cheese grater. Then all you'll need is a a 3-quart casserole pan or 9x13 baking pan and a stock pot to boil your pasta!
Baked Mac and Cheese Tips and F.A.Q.
It's a matter of texture. In this recipe, we're going for a creamy, yet slightly firm custard-like filling. It's a texture that is distinct from stovetop macaroni and cheese. Many baked macaroni and cheese recipes use a roux to make a cheese sauce on the stovetop, and then transfer the mac and cheese to a dish, add more cheese and/or bread crumbs, and bake it. That's why I do in my Smoked Mac and Cheese with Bacon!
In my experience, the texture is different in a roux-based mac and cheese than with a custard mac and cheese. So making our southern baked mac and cheese evaporated milk and egg makes it come out a bit firmer and more casserole-like, but still able to achieve that rich creaminess that we all love! Plus, you won't have to add the extra step of making a roux -- everyone loves an easy southern mac and cheese recipe!
If you've ever made a pumpkin pie, a flan, or my Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie, you may be familiar with evaporated milk. Evaporated milk is simply milk where some of the water has, well, evaporated. Because of the missing water, it has a higher protein content than regular milk. That makes everything creamier without adding extra fat (the way heavy cream would). It's perfect in baked goods when you want to create a custard made from eggs and milk, because it adds extra creaminess compared to regular milk.
Evaporated milk has more protein than regular milk, but less fat than heavy cream, which gives this easy baked macaroni and cheese a thick, creamy filling without too much greasiness. Evaporated milk is also not refrigerated in most places, so you can get it in the baking aisle or on Amazon! Evaporated milk is a major ingredient in my Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares and my Eggnog Bread Pudding with Brown Butter Rum Sauce!
This is really up to you! I usually use at least one block of cheddar, sometimes one block of sharp cheddar and one block of mild cheddar. Other times, I switch it up and replace one of the cheddars with monterey jack, gouda, or mozzarella. Any semisoft shredded cheeses work great in this easy baked mac and cheese recipe.
I make this easy baked mac and cheese recipe with mustard powder and a Creole seasoning blend like Tony Chachere's. But in general some other flavors I like to add to mac and cheese recipes (in addition to salt and pepper) are cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Yes! You can prepare your mac and cheese the night before and bake the following day. Just complete all the steps except the last one (baking), and place in the fridge covered with plastic wrap. The next day, bake in preheated oven as normal, although you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the cook time.
Yes, this southern baked mac and cheese freezes very well! Just cool the mac and cheese completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw, still wrapped, in the fridge before baking as usual. I actually use this method to make my mac and cheese ahead of time for most Thanksgivings! You can also freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to two months.
Mac and cheese gained popularity as a southern food after James Hemmings, the enslaved chef to Thomas Jefferson, mastered the recipe. It then became a celebration dish among Black people in the south, remaining popular to this day.
I prefer this easy southern mac and cheese as-is, but you can always mix in a few dollops of sour cream for creaminess. You can also add different types of cheese to your preference -- this Chick-Fil-A mac and cheese recipe uses Parmesan and Romano cheeses! I also love adding crispy chopped bacon for smokiness, sliced green onions, or a few splashes of hot sauce!
Yes, old fashioned mac and cheese with evaporated milk is a southern classic for the Thanksgiving table! It's popular in the south all year long.
You're lookin' at it! But seriously, in my humble opinion, this is the best mac and cheese and it's the one I make over and over again! Try it, and you'll see why!
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
More Holiday Recipes You'll Love
- Pressure Cooker Ham Braised in Beer
- Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie
- Christmas Charcuterie Board
- Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake + Juneteenth Cookout 2021
- Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares
Equipment you may need
- 3-quart casserole dish
- cheese grater
Ingredients
- 8 oz. (227 g) elbow macaroni - about half a 16-oz. box
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) salted butter - plus more for baking dish
- 1 large egg - beaten
- 1 13 oz. can evaporated milk
- 1½ cup (366 g) whole milk
- 8 oz (227 g) extra-sharp white cheddar cheese - good quality
- 8 oz (227 g) mild cheddar cheese - or another mild cheese like monterey jack, fontina, or gouda
- 8 oz (227 g) mascarpone cheese - room temperature
- 1½ tsp. (9 g) salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) cajun or creole seasoning
- ½ teaspoon (2 ml) dry mustard powder
- ⅛ teaspoon (1 ml) ground nutmeg
- fresh cracked pepper - for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 3-quart casserole dish or 9x13 pan with butter or spray with cooking spray.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions, adding 2 minutes to the maximum time listed on the package. Drain; stir butter into macaroni until butter is melted.8 oz. elbow macaroni, 2 tablespoon salted butter
- While macaroni is boiling, shred both cheese blocks using a box grater. Combine shredded cheese until evenly mix, then set aside about half of shredded cheese mixture for later.8 oz extra-sharp white cheddar cheese, 8 oz mild cheddar cheese
- In a large bowl, whisk together mascarpone and evaporated milk until smooth (there may still be some lumps, which are okay).8 oz mascarpone cheese, 1 13 oz. can evaporated milk
- Mix in the whole milk, followed by the salt, creole seasoning, mustard powder, and nutmeg. Stir in half of the shredded cheese mixture.1½ cup whole milk, 1½ tsp. salt, 1 teaspoon cajun or creole seasoning, ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Taste mixture to see if seasonings are to your preference and adjust if necessary. Stir in beaten egg.1 large egg
- Add buttered macaroni to milk/cheese mixture and stir to combine. Pour the whole mixture into your prepared casserole dish.8 oz. elbow macaroni, 2 tablespoon salted butter
- Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top, followed by some fresh cracked pepper, if you like.fresh cracked pepper
- Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until cheese on top is melted and browned, and filling is bubbling. Cool slightly before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Pin this old fashioned baked macaroni and cheese recipe for later!
Last Updated on March 17, 2023 by Chenée Lewis
Nancy
Wow this mac and cheese with evaporated milk is amazing. Love it
Chenée Lewis
SO glad you liked it! 🙂
Evelyn
OMG!!! My friend brought this over for Christmas luncheon at my house 12/2021. It was lived by all. I have made this exact recipe several times since then. So delicious and always a huge hit! I added some real bacon bits I had last time and severed with a delicious meatloaf baked with green peas and potato chunks in the oven. I grated a piece of hatch chili cheddar cheese I had in the fridge into it. The best Mac and cheese (recipe) I’ve ever made. I highly recommend it!!!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much Evelyn! I appreciate the feedback and the ideas for add-ins! This is my favorite mac and cheese ever too!
Shannon
The best mac and cheese recipe I've ever made!! Hubby approved! Served with smothered pork chops and sautéed spinich and buttermilk biscuits. You are my mac and cheese hero!❤️
Chenée Lewis
Yayy! Ooh that whole meal sounds amazing! Glad you liked it!
MacKenzie
This Mac and cheese is a show stopper. Thank you for the tip on over cooking the noodles, it’s so true. So much better this way
Chenée Lewis
Thanks so much! That's how we've always made it 🙂
Beth
This mac and cheese is seriously the best comfort food around! No leftovers in my home!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much! None in my home either!
Sonal Gupta
omg I am in love with this recipe with creole seasoning. Making it tomorrow and can't wait.
Chenée Lewis
Hope you love it! 🙂
Gina Abernathy
Mac and cheese is always a dish my family wants to have on our weekly rotation. This recipe is amazing and got a thumbs up from everyone.
Chenée Lewis
So great to hear that! Thanks so much!
Caroline
My goodness, that looks so incredibly comforting! Thanks for sharing your tips - I especially like the addition of mascarpone (always a good idea!)
Chenée Lewis
It makes such a big difference! 🙂
Ashley
I feel like I see yellow cheese baked on top but the recipe calls for white cheeses? Also, can this be made a few days ahead and baked the day of?
Chenée Lewis
Hi! One of the cheeses listed is mild cheddar, which is where the yellow color comes from in the photos. If you use a different mild cheese like Fontina or Monterey Jack, you'll end up with more of a white color on top. Also, yes -- you can prepare and store it, covered well in the fridge for a day or so before baking. If it'll be longer than that, I'd recommend freezing it unbaked, wrapped in foil. Then you can thaw it in the fridge for about a day and bake it once thawed.
Adrienne Ramirez
Me and my daughter tried this recipe, and when we were done eating it was delicious!
Thank you for making this recipe for all of us to try! 👩🏾🦱👍🏾
Chenée Lewis
So glad you both liked it! 🙂
MacKenzie
My kids LOVED this recipe. It was so rich and creamy. We will definitely be making again.
Chenée Lewis
So glad you all liked it! 🙂
Mirlene
Mascarpone and cajun seasonings brought out the most flavor! My family had their share of seconds for dinner! Thanks.
Chenée Lewis
So glad you liked it! It's my all-time favorite!
Andrea
Truly is the ultimate comfort food. Very surprised by the secret ingredient. Definitely making this ASAP!
Chenée Lewis
Great! I hope you love it! 🙂
Jess
Total comfort food right here!! Loving all the cheesy goodness.
Chenée Lewis
I agree!! The ultimate comfort food!
Amy
Oh my god, I love this mac and cheese so much, so tasty!!
Chenée Lewis
So glad to hear it! Thanks!
Karen E Copus
My whole family agrees this is the best Mac and cheese they have had in ages. It is even better than my Grandmother's. Thank you!
Chenée Lewis
Wow!! So great to hear that! Thank you so much 🙂
Leslie P
Made ahead and froze in portions to take camping . Was reheated on the BlackStone flat top grille, which gave a wonderful browned crisp to the cheese! Amazing flavor.
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much! That sounds amazing!
Mahali lewis
I used whole cream and evaporated milk. Did I ruin it
Chenée Lewis
It should still be ok, just a bit richer from the extra fat in the cream. How did you like it?
Hayley Graham
I’m in Australia can I use Edam cheese with a sharp Cracker Barrel cheese? Or do I have to use Gouda and sharp Cracker Barrel cheese?
Chenée Lewis
Yes, Edam would work too!
Hayley
Thank you so much 😊
Dannii
Now this is total comfort food. Cheesy and delicious.
Chenée Lewis
I agree 100%! Thanks!
kushigalu
Drooling over this delicious mac and cheese recipe. I will try this version soon for dinner.
Chenée Lewis
Great! I hope you enjoy!
Miranda
Can you prepare this 2 nights before?
Chenée Lewis
Hi! Yes you can -- I would recommend preparing it but not baking it, and then covering it tightly and storing in the fridge for up to two days. Then on the day you plan to eat, you can bake it like normal, though you'll need to add a few minutes to the baking time.
Mairead
Adding mascarpone cheese for extra smoothness is genius. Thank you for this great recipe and such an indepth tutorial with tips and explanations.
Chenée Lewis
You're very welcome! Glad you liked it!
Chris G.
So great. Our family loves baked mac and cheese. We like a little kick so we used a little pepper jack instead of the mild cheddar, otherwise followed the recipe exactly. Thanks for sharing.
Chenée Lewis
Ooh that's a great idea! Glad you liked it!