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Home » Side Dishes

Southern Macaroni and Cheese

Published: Nov 10, 2020 · Last Modified: Sep 16, 2021 by Anecia

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You'll love this creamy Southern macaroni and cheese recipe!

All-natural, made with real cheddar (no processed or fake cheese here), this creamy concoction of cheesy elbow noodles can be served right off the stove or baked in the oven!

Want to make it au gratin? Top with breadcrumbs, a little melted butter and broil for a few minutes!

Macaroni and cheese in white bowl

Southern mac and cheese is its own food category. You see, there's meat, potatoes, something green and "mac and cheese" and I'm not talking about the blue box--I'm talking homemade.

You'll find this Southern side dish in just about every restaurant south of the Mason-Dixon line, and in variations-some include ham, chopped broccoli, or lobster and shrimp.

But no matter how you make these fancy variations, you need to start with a good basic recipe like this one.

Jump to:
  • Why this recipe works
  • Here's what you need
  • Here's how to make it
  • Want a crispy au gratin topping?
  • Related recipes:
  • 📋 Recipe

Why this recipe works

Uses real cheese - no packaged, pre-shredded cheeses or plastic cheese like Velveeta™

Healthier than the boxed version - if you grew up on Kraft™ Macaroni and Cheese, you're gonna be in for a big surprise! This is so much better, creamier and doesn't have any preservatives or fillers!

Here's what you need

The ingredients for this basic Southern side dish are:

  • Elbow Noodles (I like large)
  • Blonde Roux (Instruction in recipe below)
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Milk
  • Onion powder
  • Dry mustard
  • White distilled vinegar
  • Salt and ground pepper (white or black)
  • Tabasco (optional)

Once you combine the cheese sauce (formally known as Mornay sauce) and elbow noodles, feel free to shred a little more cheddar cheese to the mixture and fold it in with a spatula... this "final touch" provides visible shreds of cheese and makes it even more delectable!

Here's how to make it

Boil the elbow macaroni noodles as directed; drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in the saucepan; once the butter is liquid, sprinkle in the flour and whisk together.

Melted butter with flour sprinkled in saucepan

When you add the flour to the melted butter, it will be clumpy but don't freak out!

Saucepan with roux in it

Cook (on medium heat) the melted butter and flour for five minutes then, turn the heat down to medium low and gradually add the milk. Now, grab the whisk and whisk the dickens out of it until all the lumps are gone.

Once you're at this stage, you're halfway there! Gradually add shredded cheese to the roux, whisking all along. Add remaining seasonings and spices; taste for salt.

Sprinkle in the cheese and stir it till it melts

Cheese sauce in saucepan

Taste for salt & pepper; pour the cheese sauce over the cooked elbow noodles

Serve this creamy Southern Macaroni and Cheese from the stovetop as is, or place in a baking dish for a crispy top!

Want a crispy au gratin topping?

If you want to make this au gratin, with a crunchy, crispy topping, just pour the ingredients into a lightly oiled baking dish, top with bread crumbs, drizzle a little melted butter over the breadcrumbs and broil for 2-3 minutes!

You decide how crispy you want the topping to be!

Creamy macaroni and cheese in white bowl

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♥ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating! I love to hear from you!

📋 Recipe

Macaroni and cheese in white bowl

Macaroni and Cheese

Large elbow noodles nestled in a cheesy cream sauce
5 from 8 votes
Print Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 9 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Total Yield: 10 cups
Author: Anecia Hero
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Ingredients 

  • 1 lb. large elbow noodles
  • 16 oz. Sharp Cheddar cheese Block cheese; not pre-shredded
  • 1 stick butter , salted or unsalted
  • 3 cups milk , 2% or whole : See Recipe Notes: Milk
  • ½ cup flour , all-purpose
  • ½ tsp. onion powder
  • 1 tsp. dried mustard
  • ½ tsp. ground white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • ½ tsp. Louisiana hot sauce (optional)
  • 1 tsp. salt to taste

Instructions 

Prep

  • Shred cheese; set aside
    16 oz. Sharp Cheddar cheese
  • Prepare elbow noodles in a large stock pot; cook for 9 minutes; drain and return to stockpot
    1 lb. large elbow noodles

Cheese Sauce Instructions

  • In a large pan on medium heat, add butter; once butter has melted, gradually add flour; whisk
    1 stick butter, ½ cup flour
  • Once flour and butter are combined, gradually add milk, whisking constantly
    3 cups milk
  • Turn the heat to medium low
  • Gradually add cheese and continue to stir; if sauce looks too thick, add more milk-See Recipe Notes: Milk
    16 oz. Sharp Cheddar cheese
  • Add onion powder, dried mustard, vinegar, ground white pepper and Louisiana hot sauce (optional); combine well
    ½ tsp. onion powder, 1 tsp. dried mustard, ½ tsp. ground white pepper, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, ½ tsp. Louisiana hot sauce, 1 tsp. salt
  • Pour cheese sauce over cooked pasta; combine and taste for salt; add more if desired
  • Serve from the stove top-OR-if you want a crispy topping, pour macaroni and cheese into a lightly oiled baking dish
  • Turn oven to Broil setting; place baking dish on middle rack; broil until top begins to crisp and brown

Notes

Milk:
The amount of milk determines how thick or thin the cheese sauce will be. After you melt the butter and add the flour, add one cup of milk. Then add shredded cheese in increments. At this point, the mixture may be thicker than you like. If so, add another cup of milk. 
It's best to add the milk in half or one-cup increments. 
 

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 1cupCalories: 503kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 20gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 595mgPotassium: 249mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 855IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 425mgIron: 1mg
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Anecia Hero, Food Blogger

About SmartyPantsKitchen

I'm Anecia, a native Texan, author, cook and photographer for SmartyPantsKitchen where I'm sharing Traditional and Contemporary Southern recipes for cooks of all levels. There's nothing fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable! Take a tour and check out delicious recipes! 

Learn more about me →

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