Recipe for Baked Mac and Cheese Southern Style

What Makes Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Different

Southern baked mac and cheese stands apart from box mixes and stovetop versions. It's a casserole. Rich heavy. Built from scratch with a custard base not a flour roux.

The biggest difference is the egg mixture. Evaporated milk gets beaten with eggs and seasoned salt. This pours over the cooked pasta and shredded cheese. It sets up like a custard when baked. No butter-flour roux needed.

Another key factor is the cheese blend. Southern recipes layer multiple cheeses. Sharp cheddar is mandatory. Most cooks add a melting cheese like Velveeta or Monterey Jack for creaminess. Some throw in colby or mild cheddar for sweetness.

Stovetop vs Southern Baked

Southern mac and cheese also uses spices differently. Dry mustard black pepper garlic powder and paprika go into the egg mixture. Some home cooks add a dash of hot sauce. The seasoning penetrates the whole dish not just the top.

The pasta matters too. Elbow macaroni is standard. Cook it just under al dente because it keeps softening in the oven. Overcook it and you get mush.

• No roux just eggs and evaporated milk
• Multiple cheeses layered not just stirred in
• Baked until set with a crispy top
• Serves as a main side at gatherings

This dish is soul food at its core. African American southern mac and cheese recipes passed down generations use this exact custard method. It's the standard for a reason.

Ingredients You Need for Southern Style Mac and Cheese

Keep the ingredient list simple. Most of these are pantry staples. The cheese is where you invest your money.

Pasta and Dairy Base

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 12 oz evaporated milk (one can)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter cut into pieces

The evaporated milk and eggs create the custard. Whole milk thins it just enough. Do not use sweetened condensed milk. Different product entirely.

Cheese Blend

Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded bags contain anti-caking agents that block proper melting. Buy blocks and use a box grater.

Seasonings

• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Optional few dashes hot sauce

That's it. No flour. No breadcrumbs unless you want them on top. No sour cream. The custard method relies on eggs and dairy to bind everything together.

For a southern mac and cheese recipe with Velveeta the Velveeta replaces the Jack. It melts smoother and adds that nostalgic creaminess people expect at family dinners.

Scale these ingredients up easily. A standard 9x13 baking dish handles a double batch. Southern mac and cheese for 100 people just multiplies these ratios. The technique stays the same.

How to Make Baked Mac and Cheese Southern Style Step by Step

Step 1 Boil the Pasta

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.

Boil macaroni in heavily salted water.

Cook exactly one minute less than package directions.

The pasta must be firm because it finishes cooking in the oven.

Drain well and set aside.

Step 2 Build the Custard

Crack two large eggs into a large mixing bowl.

Add evaporated milk, whole milk, dry mustard, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika.

Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth.

Set the custard aside.

Step 3 Layer the Casserole

Assembly requires layering, not stirring everything together.

• Place half the cooked macaroni in the bottom of the baking dish.
• Cover with half the sharp cheddar and half the cubed Velveeta or Jack cheese.
• Add the remaining macaroni on top of the first cheese layer.
• Spread all remaining cheese over the top layer of pasta.
• Drop small pieces of butter across the top surface.

Step 4 Pour and Bake

Pour the egg custard mixture evenly over the entire dish.

Press down lightly on the pasta so the liquid seeps through.

Do not stir the mixture.

Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes.

This layering technique makes the best recipe for baked mac and cheese southern style.

Use this exact process for a classic baked southern mac and cheese recipe.