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This Easy Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese is THE best any night of the week, any occasion, mac and cheese. The secret to this simple, easy, and delicious cheesy mac is a couple of eggs, lots of cheese, and a touch of spice. Every bite is layered with southern flavor, creamy pasta, and cheese. It’s the creamiest bowl of baked mac and cheese that’s fancy enough for the weekend, but easy enough to make any night of the week. And most importantly, it’s so delicious…especially with an extra sprinkle of basil on top.
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I’m not sure there’s much that tops homemade mac and cheese. I mean, it’s just so easy and delicious. It’s definitely a staple dish around here. I’ve been talking for weeks about how inspired I am by vintage recipes. And while this recipe isn’t technically “vintage”. It feels like something my mom or grandma could 100% get behind.
The other thing about this mac and cheese? It reminds me of the Stouffer’s mac and cheese I used to eat all the time when I was a kid. I was an oddball child that didn’t love junk food, passed on potato chips, and stuck to only Reese’s peanut butter cups and Malley’s chocolate bars. I ate carrots with ranch as a snack and all-in-all was a somewhat “healthy” eater who loved my vegetables.
But I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my mac and cheese. I didn’t grow up on the Kraft Mac and Cheese, instead, my mom bought Stouffer’s frozen mac and cheese that you could pop in the microwave. I ate a lot of those after school throughout my third, fourth, and fifth grade years. What I loved about them was that the top was always a bit more baked with crusty edges, but they had the creamiest cheesy pasta underneath. This mac and cheese is exactly that…but better…because it’s homemade with more flavor and more types of cheese.
This southern mac and cheese is easy, here are the details
When it comes to a southern-style mac and cheese, there are a couple of things that are different.
First up, it uses eggs to help bind everything together, which makes it even simpler.
I also like to add a touch a cajun seasoning to mine, which adds a nice little southern kick. This is optional, but we find it extra delicious.
And lastly, the process. It’s much simpler than you might ever imagine. Boil-off the pasta, while that’s happening, whisk together the milk, eggs, the tiniest amount of sour cream or cream cheese, and that cajun seasoning. Now add the pasta and the butter and toss it all to combine.
Bake then broil.
This is key. Bake the mac and cheese for thirty or so minutes to melt that cheese, then switch the oven to broil. Let the cheese start to bubble up, but be sure to watch closely, the broiler cooks quickly.
As soon as you pull this out from under the broiler, add a bit of basil, serve, and ENJOY.
Super easy, right?
But yet so very good. The pasta underneath stays soft and creamy, while the cheese on top turns crispy and just the slightest bit crunchy. Yes, the corners of the dish will form an insanely delicious, cheesy crust.
Creamy cheesy macaroni underneath, crunchy cheddar on top, a little bit of spice, and fresh basil over it all…
Just. So. Darn. Good!
And guys, that’s pretty much it. Dinner in less than an hour, and something I feel like the whole family can really enjoy. Make this over the weekend for the Kentucky Derby, then make it for every other party that follows.
Looking for other easy pasta bake recipes? Here are a few ideas:
One Pot 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
One Pan Baked Cheesy Basil Pasta
Lastly, if you make this Easy Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Easy Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound short-cut pasta
- 2 1/4 cups whole milk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup sour cream or plain greek yogurt
- 2-3 teaspoons cajun seasoning, (optional)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- fresh basil or parsley, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. 2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain.3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl whisk together the milk, eggs, sour cream, cajun seasoning, or 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add the pasta, butter, cheddar cheese, and 2 cups Colby Jack cheese. Pour the pasta into a 9×13 inch baking dish and cover with foil.4. Bake 25 minutes, then remove the foil and top with the remaining Colby Jack cheese. Return to the oven and bake another 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Switch the oven to broil and broil 2-3 minutes, until just a little crispy on top. WATCH CLOSELY. 5. Serve the mac and cheese immediately with fresh herbs and black pepper. ENJOY ?
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I’m having a party in 2 days. I put the Mac n cheese together but didn’t cook it. Should I cook it now or can I wait until Saturday?
Hi Tina,
You can wait until Saturday:) I hope you love the dish, let me know how it turns out for you! xT
Just made two huge casserole dishes of this for family picnic. It was a hit! My brother-in-law requested the recipe it was so good. 👍😋😋😍
Hi Suzanne,
Happy Memorial Day!!🇺🇸🎆 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! xT
Hi this is so delicious, but I’m having a hard time keeping the sauce creamy. It seems to be curdling. I’ve made it twice and both times this happened. Am I doing something wrong?
Hi Kelley,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, so sorry to hear about your sauce!! At what point is it curdling? Are all of your ingredients at room temp? Are you using freshly grated cheese? Let me know!! xx
I just had the same issue. I made sure the pasta was at room temp so as to not curdle the eggs, but after baking it seemed very chunky.
do you have a suggestion for making your own cajun seasoning? or another seaoning idea?
Hi Janell,
For sure, you can find my cajun seasoning here:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/essentials/
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope this dish turns out well for you! xx
Love this recipe! It was a hit the first time I made it. Trying to make it again and wondering if adding chicken to the bake would work and if you recommend anything different prep wise if I add a protein. Thanks! My family LOVES all of your recipes I make for them.
Hey Alesha,
Happy Monday!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xx
Hi there Tieghan! How should I adjust this recipe so it feeds about 10-12 people? Both in terms of measurements for ingredients and also the size of the pan/dish. Thank you in advance :)!
Hi Sera,
I think your best option would be to double this recipe and bake in 2 separate dishes. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
I made this for dinner tonight. Fam loved every square inch. The Cajun seasoning was just the touch it needed for that extra Zing. Extra creamy. Thanks for sharing Tieghan!,,😋😋
Hey Angie,
Wonderful!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:)
I just made this! True to the name, it is “easy!” And it’s sooo good. I subbed in some extra parm and Asiago cheese I had on hand, and I used gluten free pasta. It was so savory (thanks to the Cajun seasoning), light and fluffy and cheeeeesy. Thanks for the recipe!
Hey Amy,
Happy Monday!!☃️ Thanks a lot for making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it was a winner! xx
Hi! If I don’t want to use cajun seasoning (not sure all of my guests will enjoy!) what can I use instead? Thanks!
Hey Korin,
I would go with this recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/no-boil-brie-mac-and-cheese/
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
I made this today for my boyfriend’s and I’s thanksgiving feast for two and it turned out so good! My dad makes a southern style Mac and cheese for Thanksgiving every year, but since we moved from Arizona to Washington a few years ago – I haven’t been able to have it and was wanting a little piece of “home” this year. It tasted nearly identical to his which made me so so happy! Will definitely be making it again sometime! 🙂
Hey Caitlin,
Thank you so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xx
So yummy
Hi Raquel,
Thank you so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xx
I’m making this for a potluck but I am making it the night before. How should I reheat it? Can I use a crock pot to reheat and if so how long? Thanks in advance!
Hey Samantha,
I would bake up until baking, cover and pop in the fridge. Bake as directed when you are ready to serve. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I just prepared a double batch of this recipe (it was such a hit at Friendsgiving last year!) so we could share some with friends this week and family at Thanksgiving next week. Would it be better to freeze it before baking to melt the cheese topping or should I complete the entire recipe then freeze? Thanks!
Hey Lisa,
so glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed last year! I would freeze before baking:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Thinking about making this for a potluck. Could I make this ahead of time and then put in a crockpot to heat up and keep warm? Instead of baking it.
Hey Mary,
Sure, I bet that would work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
This is delicious. A staple in our house for celebrations, get togethers and holidays. Everyone loves it.
Is this freezer friendly? If yes, should I freeze before baking or after?
Can I prep this the night before without baking and bake the next day?
Hi Brenda,
You bet, that will work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Curious what the eggs do in this recipe. I have not tried it yet, but plan to. Thanks!
Hey Angie,
The eggs help to create a smooth, creamy sauce. Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope this recipe is delish! xT