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One staple that is on my families holiday table is a baked southern macaroni and cheese casserole. It’s so good that it doesn’t feel like the holidays without it.
Table of Contents
There is something so comforting about this baked macaroni and cheese recipe. This casserole uses simple ingredients like elbow macaroni noodles, sharp cheddar cheese, milk, and eggs. Baked in the oven, it makes enough to feed a large crowd at your next holiday gathering.
Every holiday I make this recipe for my family. And every holiday this is the first side dish to be completely devoured. It is THAT good!
Southern Macaroni and Cheese Just like at a Restaurant
Visit any restaurant in the south and you may be surprised to find baked macaroni and cheese as a “vegetable” option or side dish. It is no secret we love macaroni and cheese in the south.
In the south we tend to do baked macaroni and cheese a little differently by using eggs. The use of eggs makes the southern macaroni and cheese bake into a casserole. It is firmer and holds its shape unlike traditional stovetop macaroni and cheese that is creamier.
Baked macaroni and cheese is often served alongside other traditional southern dishes like cornbread, creamed corn, green beans, etc. This is by far my favorite way to enjoy macaroni and cheese.
Baked Macaroni & Cheese Casserole: A Southern Family Tradition
The tradition of having this recipe served at our family table during the holidays began with my grandmother. We have reserved this recipe to only making it during a family get together. This isn’t something that we make year round which is what makes it extra special.
Although grandmother’s recipe will always be the best, I’ve since taken the family recipe and added my own unique tweaks to it.
Save Time: Make this recipe the day before your celebration
What I love about this recipe is that you can easily make it ahead of time. If you have a lot of dishes to cook the next day like on Thanksgiving for example, save some time by assembling this southern macaroni and cheese casserole the day before. That way all you have to do is pop it into the oven to finish baking the day of your big celebration.
Need to bring something to a party?
This recipe also travels really well. I love glass baking dishes with lids just for occasions such as this. After baking this recipe, just pop the lid onto your baking dish and it’s ready to be taken to your next party.
Baked Southern Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups dry elbow macaroni
- 3 TBSP salted Butter
- 3 TBSP all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 6 eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
Also Needed:
- 3 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese halved (for layering before baking)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Cook 4 cups dry elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain into a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- While the elbow macaroni is draining you will prepare the cheese sauce in the original pot that you cooked the macaroni in. First melt 3 TBSP salted Butter on low-medium heat. Then, whisk in 3 TBSP all-purpose flour and let cook for approximately 3 mins.
- Whisk in 2 cups whole milk. Continue stirring on low-medium heat until mixture begins to thicken. Don't Rush! Keep your heat low, if the heat is too high you will curdle the milk and not have a smooth cheese sauce.
- Once your milk mixture has thickened, add 3 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese and stir until melted.
- Remove the cheese sauce from the heat. Add the drained elbow macaroni noodles to the cheese sauce and stir to coat all of the noodles.
- In a separate bowl whisk together 6 eggs and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Once combined, stir the egg mixture into the macaroni and cheese. Stir well until everything is combined.
- Pour half of the macaroni and cheese mixture into a glass 13"x 9" casserole dish.
- Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese onto the first layer of macaroni in the casserole dish.
- Add the rest of the macaroni and cheese mixture on top of the cheese in the casserole dish then top with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F covered with aluminum foil for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the middle of the baked macaroni and cheese is no longer runny and the top has started to brown a little bit.
- Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.
Notes
Other Southern Recipes You Might Enjoy
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Yum! Haven’t made macaroni and cheese in a while, will try your recipe then! thanks you!!!
Mac and cheese is one of my son’s favorites. I would like to try your recipe sometime. He’d be delighted!
This sounds like a very rich and flavorful mac and cheese. We love a good baked mac in our house!
That looks like a great macaroni and cheese casserole, I’ll have to give it a try!
Mac ‘n cheese is my young son’s favorite meal. I must make this at my next holiday celebration. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I love a good bowl of Mac n cheese. I’ll have to make a batch of this Mac n cheese when I make ribs.
This is making me hungry! I really love to try this awesome recipe! It look so good!
Macaroni is such a universal dish that everyone enjoys and I love your southern take. Love to try it out for sure.
This sounds like heaven. Macaroni cheese is one of my favourite dishes. I’d love to try making it myself.
My mom used to make a macaroni and cheese casserole that looked a lot like yours. I think she had some breadcrumbs on top too. It was always a huge hit at get-togethers. I’ll have to make this for her and see what she thinks.
An interesting take on Mac n Cheese, and sounds like something worth trying.
This looks so good. I’m definitely saving this to make later. My kids really love mac and cheese.
My youngest son loves mac and cheese. I will have to have him make this.
We love mac and cheese! They’re a hit when we have company as well.
I am drooling. I just love mac and cheese and this looks incredible.
What size is the casserole dish for this recipe?
Sorry about not including this in the recipe, I think I used a 9×13″ glass casserole dish. Definitely a larger dish because this recipe is made to feed a crowd!