Best 4 Southern Mac Cheese Recipes

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Southern mac and cheese is a beloved dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. The origins of southern mac and cheese can be traced back to the early 19th century, when enslaved African Americans began to adapt European dishes to their own tastes and traditions. This dish has since become a staple in Southern cuisine and is often served at family gatherings, potlucks, and holiday meals. If you are looking for a delicious and comforting dish to try, southern mac and cheese is an excellent choice.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHERN BAKED MAC AND CHEESE



Southern Baked Mac and Cheese image

This rich and decadent baked pasta is a Southern Black staple for holidays and special occasions. Steering away from the standard stovetop mac, this version includes three kinds of cheese and bakes up like a casserole with a crispy, golden top. The addition of eggs makes it similar to a cheesy, savory custard. Warning: This is not diet food!

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h35m

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
5 large eggs
3 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pound sharp Cheddar, shredded
1 pound whole-milk mozzarella, shredded
1 pound Gouda, shredded

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Cook the macaroni according to the package directions until 3 minutes less than fully cooked. Drain and rinse under cold water until cooled; drain well. Add the cooked pasta back to the pot.
  • Put the eggs, heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, ground mustard, nutmeg and a big pinch of salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Pour over the cooked pasta and stir to combine.
  • Toss together the Cheddar, mozzarella and Gouda in a large bowl. Add the cheeses to the pot and stir to evenly combine. Transfer the mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  • Bake until the center of the mac and cheese is set and the top is golden brown, 60 to 70 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes before serving.

MEL'S SOUTHERN MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY



Mel's Southern Mac And Cheese Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: elbow macaroni, mayonnaise, sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, salt and pepper, creole seasoning, ritz cracker

Provided by Melissa Millikin

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper, to taste
creole seasoning, to taste
1 ritz cracker, crushed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°C.
  • Boil the macaroni as directed. Drain and set aside.
  • Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, and seasonings in a separate bowl. Then, mix in cheeses and once combined, add pasta.
  • Spray an 8x8 or 9x13 baking dish and pour in pasta mixture. Add crushed Ritz crackers on top.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let rest for 10-15 minutes.
  • Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 629 calories, Carbohydrate 36 grams, Fat 44 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 21 grams, Sugar 3 grams

GRANDMA'S SOUTHERN MAC AND CHEESE



Grandma's Southern Mac and Cheese image

This is my grandmother's macaroni and cheese recipe that we all crave and only get to have twice a year, if we play our cards right. Fairly simple and straightforward. The key is cooking time more than anything.

Provided by Rhett Towles

Categories     Side Dish

Time 48m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound elbow macaroni
4 pounds Cheddar cheese, sliced
1 ½ cups milk
5 eggs, or more to taste
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
  • Layer some of the macaroni in a 5-quart baking dish; top with a layer of Cheddar cheese. Continue layering macaroni and Cheddar cheese into the dish, ending with a Cheddar cheese layer.
  • Beat milk, eggs, and mustard together in a bowl; pour over macaroni mixture, ensuring milk mixture gets to all of the macaroni.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and just before cheese around the sides gets crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Season with black pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 477.8 calories, Carbohydrate 19.1 g, Cholesterol 143.3 mg, Fat 32.1 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 27.8 g, SaturatedFat 19.8 g, Sodium 599 mg, Sugar 2 g

SOUTHERN MAC & CHEESE



Southern Mac & Cheese image

The only way to eat mac & cheese in my opinion!! Real cheese only, no fake processed sauce here.

Provided by Melissa Rogers

Categories     Sides

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 6

5 c mexican blend shredded cheese
2 large eggs
1 c parmigiano-reggiano, grated
1 c heavy whipping cream
1 large box macaroni, elbow
1/3 c italian bread crumbs

Steps:

  • 1. You will need a 8x12 glass baking dish. Grease with butter then set aside. Preheat oven 350 Start boiling your macaroni noodles until fluffy and tender. Strain thoroughly.
  • 2. Layer the bottom of your baking dish with the noodles covering it well. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over it, then sprinkle Parmesan. Keep repeating until the baking dish is full.
  • 3. In a small bowl beat the eggs and whipping cream. Pour evenly over the Mac and Cheese. Sprinkle more shredded cheese and parmesean on top along with the bread crumbs. Bake covered with tin foil for 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake for the rest to allow cheese to brown.

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese. The type of cheese you use will greatly affect the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a bold flavor, or a milder cheese like mozzarella or Gouda for a more subtle flavor.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente. You don't want the macaroni to be mushy, so cook it al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. This will help to prevent the sauce from being thin and watery.
  • Use milk or cream. Milk or cream will help to make the cheese sauce smooth and creamy. You can use whole milk, skim milk, or even heavy cream, depending on how rich you want the sauce to be.
  • Season the cheese sauce. Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are all good seasonings to add to your cheese sauce. You can also add other herbs and spices, such as cayenne pepper, paprika, or cumin, to taste.
  • Add-ins. Once you have your basic mac and cheese recipe down, you can start adding in other ingredients to make it your own. Some popular add-ins include cooked bacon, diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, or even lobster.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of different ingredients, so there is sure to be a recipe that everyone will love. Whether you like your mac and cheese simple or loaded with add-ins, there is a recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give mac and cheese a try.

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