For those seeking an exquisite culinary journey, the quest for the ultimate Southern macaroni and cheese recipe begins here. With a heritage steeped in tradition and flavor, this dish has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts near and far. As you embark on this delectable adventure, discover the secrets behind the perfect combination of creamy cheese sauce, tender macaroni, and a golden-brown crust. Indulge in a tantalizing exploration of various Southern-inspired recipes, each offering a unique twist on this beloved classic. Whether you prefer a sharp cheddar bite, a blend of multiple cheeses, or an infusion of bold spices, let your taste buds guide you towards the perfect Southern macaroni and cheese that will leave you craving for more.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
CLASSIC SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Virginia Willis
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch ovenproof casserole dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender (a little more than al dente), about 12 minutes. Drain well in a colander.
- In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, cheese, milk and eggs. Add some salt and pepper. Transfer to the prepared dish.
- Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly before serving.
SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE
There is macaroni and cheese, and then there is special occasion macaroni and cheese like this one. Unlike most recipes, which start with a roux, this one begins with a milk-and-egg base, which gives the dish an incredibly rich, silky taste. It's adapted from Millie Peartree, the owner of Millie Peartree Fish Fry & Soul Food restaurant in the Bronx, who has been making this dish since she was a little girl. The recipe was passed down in her family for generations, but because of the generous amount of cheese used, the dish was only made for events like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Extra-sharp Cheddar adds tartness and a layer of Colby Jack creates a gooey, molten center. If you can't find a Colby Jack blend, shredded mozzarella or a Mexican-style blend will work in its place.
Provided by Kiera Wright-Ruiz
Categories dinner, weeknight, casseroles, noodles, pastas, main course, side dish
Time 45m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.
- Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. (The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.)
- Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.
SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE PIE
Macaroni and Cheese Pie is a staple of all good Southern family dinners, church dinners and socials.
Provided by dameionec
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in the macaroni and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until it has cooked through but is still slightly firm, about 8 minutes; drain.
- Slowly melt butter in a large pot over low heat. Stir in evaporated milk and black pepper; cook until heated through.
- Whisk eggs in a bowl until smooth; whisk about 1/2 cup of the evaporated milk mixture into the eggs, 1 tablespoon at a time, until thoroughly incorporated. Whisk the egg mixture back into the saucepan with evaporated milk mixture. Continue to heat gently, whisking constantly, until the evaporated milk mixture almost comes to a simmer and the sauce thickens.
- Gently mix salt and cooked macaroni into the sauce and stir to combine.
- Spoon 1/4 of the macaroni mixture in a layer into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish and top with 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese. Repeat layers three more times; top last cheese layer with paprika to taste.
- Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 620.5 calories, Carbohydrate 29.8 g, Cholesterol 197.3 mg, Fat 43.1 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 29 g, SaturatedFat 26.4 g, Sodium 919.1 mg, Sugar 9.8 g
SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE
Rib sticking macaroni and cheese.
Provided by LINDA PAGE
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- In a large bowl combine cooked pasta, cottage cheese, sour cream, eggs, Cheddar cheese and cayenne pepper. Mix well and transfer to prepared dish. Sprinkle with paprika.
- Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake 40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 476.8 calories, Carbohydrate 38.9 g, Cholesterol 114.8 mg, Fat 24.3 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 25.1 g, SaturatedFat 14.3 g, Sodium 489.8 mg, Sugar 1.2 g
SOUTHERN STYLE MACARONI AND CHEESE
The recipe for this wonderful regional take on mac and cheese is an adaptation of one in The Gift of Southern Cooking (Knopf, 2003) by Edna Lewis, a Southern culinary legend, and Scott Peacock, the former chef of Atlanta's Watershed restaurant. Two ingredients set this macaroni and cheese apart from the pack: grated onion and Worcestershire sauce. This came from Saveur.com. When I made this I made a few changes. I used 3 bricks EXTRA-SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE, COLBY CHEESE which was grated and MUENSTER CHEESE which was cubed. I left out the onions, nutmeg and worchestershire sauce. I doubled the pasta.
Provided by internetnut
Categories Cheese
Time 45m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- 1. Heat oven to 350°. Bring a 4-qt. saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until cooked halfway through, about 3 minutes. Drain pasta and transfer to a greased 9" x 13" baking dish. Stir in the cubed cheddar cheese and set aside.
- 2. Combine 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt, flour, mustard, black pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne in a large mixing bowl. Add the sour cream and the eggs and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the half-and-half, heavy cream, onions, and Worcestershire. Pour egg mixture over the reserved pasta mixture and stir to combine. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the surface. Bake until the pasta mixture is set around the edges but still a bit loose in the center, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
MACARONI AND CHEESE SOUTHERN STYLE
I got this great dish from my Mother, who in turn got it from my Grandmother. This is a staple in our family throughout the year and especially on holidays. My Mother comes from a small town in Mississippi and all of her sisters make this dish the same way. Enjoy this Southern-styled twist on macaroni and cheese.
Provided by Chris
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h5m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 1/2-quart casserole dish.
- Set cheese packet from mix aside. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked firm to the bite, 5 minutes. Drain and reserve pasta cooking water.
- Whisk contents of reserved cheese packet with evaporated milk, eggs, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Layer half the cooked macaroni in the prepared casserole dish, followed by half the Cheddar cheese slices in a layer. Dot with half the butter. Repeat layers, using remaining half of cooked macaroni, remaining Cheddar cheese slices, and remaining butter. Pour evaporated milk mixture over casserole. If evaporated milk mixture does not reach to the top of the casserole, pour in enough pasta cooking water to cover.
- Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling, about 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 380.5 calories, Carbohydrate 21.7 g, Cholesterol 121.7 mg, Fat 26.1 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 15.5 g, SaturatedFat 15.9 g, Sodium 520.5 mg, Sugar 6.7 g
SOUTHERN STYLE MACARONI AND CHEESE
If you love the comfort of homemade mac and cheese, then you should try this recipe. It is creamy and oozing with cheesy goodness. There is never any left when I make it, and is great for taking to family gatherings or church socials.
Provided by Janet Crow
Categories Pasta Sides
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to pkg. directions.
- 2. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over med. low heat, add in the velveta and stir till melted. Set aside, beat the egg in a small bowl and add in some of the milk mixture and stir to temper the egg. Add the egg into the milk/velveta mixture. Drain the macaroni and add in the butter, then stir in the milk mixture and then 1 1/2 C. of the shredded cheese, dry mustard, salt and pepper. Bake in a lightly greased casserole dish at 350 degrees for 25 min. Remove and top with remaining cheese, sprinkle with paprika and return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
Tips:
- Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will make a big difference in the flavor of your macaroni and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a classic flavor, or experiment with different types of cheeses, such as Gruyère, mozzarella, or Parmesan.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: Al dente means "to the tooth" in Italian, and it refers to the ideal texture for cooked pasta. It should be slightly firm to the bite, not mushy.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken sauces. It helps to create a smooth and creamy texture in macaroni and cheese.
- Season the sauce: Don't forget to season the sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices. This will help to bring out the flavor of the cheese and other ingredients.
- Use a variety of toppings: Macaroni and cheese is a versatile dish that can be topped with a variety of ingredients, such as breadcrumbs, crushed potato chips, or bacon. Get creative and experiment with different toppings to find your favorite combination.
Conclusion:
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is a simple dish to make, but it can be easily customized to suit your own taste. Whether you like it simple or cheesy, baked or fried, there is a macaroni and cheese recipe out there for everyone. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give macaroni and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed.
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