A delicious southern baked macaroni and cheese (not really baked) suitable for family gatherings and loved by children of all ages, this best easy creamy southern mac and cheese recipe is prepared by me personally every single week for those adorable grand children!
Southern-Style Macaroni
When the kids see me getting out the cream cheese, sharp or mild cheddar cheese, whole milk, macaroni noodles and (yes, it's true) the American cheese, they start jumping up and down. WE LOVE mac and cheese 'round these parts!
Officially, I've been making this mac and cheese recipe since Thomas Jefferson was president and I made this soul food mac dinner, a favorite recipe s and favorite side dish of southern macaroni just last night!
I could do it in my sleep if you could help me out by setting up the large pot of salted water so that I can cook the perfect mac, it's time for a comfort food throw down!
Here's What You'll Need
Make it for special occasions, it'll become an all time favorites southern style mac and cheese dish.
- The Right Types of Cheese for the cheese mixture (sharp cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese and cream cheese)
- Heavy Cream or Evaporated Milk
- Elbow Macaroni
- Butter
Here's How You Do It
Make this family favorite Sunday dinner, it's always as easy as the first time.
STEP 1. First thing, In a saucepan, over medium heat, melt together the milk mixture, butter and cheese mixture.
STEP 2. Heat the water to a rolling boil (add a touch of salt, not much).
STEP 3. Once the cooked macaroni is al dente, add the cheesy sauce (best part) and mix well. Serve Hot.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Southern Mac and Cheese
- This is not an oven-baked mac and cheese dish, instead, it's a creamy mac and cheese that is super popular recipe with children! It's made with a creamy cheese sauce and you'll get the best results for a perfect side dish!
- When choose the parmesan cheese for this dish, you'll find you get the most flavor out of parmesan you shred yourself rather than pre-shredded cheese or the kind in the green can, but if that's what you have, then that will work.
- We always serve this in the stockpot or dutch oven it was cooked in, but you can also pour it into a casserole dish for better presentation.
- As this mac n cheese recipe comes to room temperature, you'll notice that the cheese thickens quickly. Always add more cheese sauce than you think is reasonable for the best results.
- It might be a little ridiculous to use so many different kinds of cheese but that is the secret ingredient to this next level and best southern mac recipe! Tons of cheese, that's how to make the good recipe and best macaroni!
- Leftover macaroni and cheese should be placed in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated within 2 hours.
- To reheat this dish, add some milk and heat over medium low heat on the stove top until heated through and loose again.
- Leftovers can make a great macaroni pie, or mac and cheese soup or cheese casserole!
- For cost savings, Aldi has the best Velveeta substitute you've ever tasted! It's preferred at our house!
PRO TIP: If you are serving adults rather than kids, consider adding some different cheese like colby jack. Maybe try a homemade macaroni noodle?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
What Kind of Milk for Mac and Cheese?
Use heavy cream, whole milk or evaporated milk for your mac and cheese for the best thick and creamy results!
Can I Add a Topping?
Yes of course, I recommend buttered potato chips crumbs.
What Can I Serve This Dish With?
I recommend hot dogs, collard greens and Beanie Weenies for the perfect flavor combinations!
What Kind of Cheese Should I Use?
Use extra-sharp cheddar and blocks of cheese for the best taste!
Watch Me Make This Dish
I'd Love to Hear from You!
Please leave a 5 STAR comment in the comment section below. This helps others to find the recipes at Loaves and Dishes! Thank you! Also, I answer each and every comment myself and I LOVE hearing from you! I'll answer as quickly as I can! I hope you are a fan of mac like I am!
Best Easy Creamy Southern Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 stick of butter
- 8 oz cream cheese 1 block
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese the real stuff is best - the green plastic can is ok.
- 1 Cup heavy cream or 1 can of evaporated milk plus extra if needed - could be as much as 2 cups, depending on other factors.
- 16 oz American Cheese Food ½ large block of velveeta
- 4 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese something like Cabots - grated.
- 1 lb macaroni noodles the large noodles seem to work best
Instructions
- Put a large stock pot of water on to boil - follow the box instructions for cooking the pasta - however, do not salt the water as heavily as the box instructs - just about ½ teaspoon is enough.
- In a medium sauce pot (heavy bottom) over medium low heat, add the butter, cream cheese, parmesan, heavy cream, American Cheese food and stir frequently until all is melted and thick. Try real hard not to burn it to the bottom of the pan. Turn it off as everything is melted and allow it to sit on the stove.
- When pasta is cooked, drain well and return to the stock pot. Pour the sauce over the top of the pasta and very gently, mix well.
Notes
- This is not an oven-baked mac and cheese dish, instead, it's a creamy mac and cheese that is super popular recipe with children! It's made with a creamy cheese sauce and you'll get the best results for a perfect side dish!
- If it is going to be a little bit between preparing this dish and serving this dish, add extra milk/cream/evaporated milk and make the sauce much more loose, it will thicken and harden as it cools. You can put it in a crockpot set on 'warm" for traveling shorter distances.
- When choose the parmesan cheese for this dish, you'll find you get the most flavor out of parmesan you shred yourself rather than pre-shredded cheese or the kind in the green can, but if that's what you have, then that will work.
- We always serve this in the stockpot or dutch oven it was cooked in, but you can also pour it into a casserole dish for better presentation.
- As this mac n cheese recipe comes to room temperature, you'll notice that the cheese thickens quickly. Always add more cheese sauce than you think is reasonable for the best results.
- It might be a little ridiculous to use so many different kinds of cheese but that is the secret ingredient to this next level and best southern mac recipe! Tons of cheese, that's how to make the good recipe and best macaroni!
- Leftover macaroni and cheese should be placed in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated within 2 hours.
- To reheat this dish, add some milk and heat over medium low heat on the stove top until heated through and loose again.
- Leftovers can make a great macaroni pie, or mac and cheese soup or cheese casserole!
- For cost savings, Aldi has the best Velveeta substitute you've ever tasted! It's preferred at our house!
Nutrition
Been doing some studying lately on the number of times Satan and his friends are called "lawless" (someone who breaks the law), it's a lot.
Matthew 7:23
And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you, depart from me, you workers of lawlessness".
Linda L Brown says
When you say Sharp American Cheese what do you mean? I've even tried Googling Cabots & it always brings up Sharp cheddar.
Sorry to be so dense!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Linda! Thanks for asking! You are right! Cabots is Cheddar NOT American! Use Cheddar - something sharp with a lot of tooth to it! Thanks for calling this to my attention - I'm going to go in and correct it right now!
Moxie says
Could you have made this ANY creamier? OMG! We had these for our last family get together and the kids LOVED it - seriously, I had to stop someone from licking the bowl. Will definitely make again!
Tess says
@Moxie, LOL
Sheila says
This is the creamiest macaroni and cheese I have tried. So delicious and perfect for cheese lovers like me.
Just made me crave for more.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Sheila! Thank you for stopping by! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!! We had it for Thanksgiving too and it was gone FIRST. lol