This baked macaroni and cheese recipe also works well with boxed macaroni and cheese, poured into a casserole dish and baked. We recommend either Annie’s Organic Shells & White Cheddar Mac and Cheese (you can get a pack of 12 boxes inexpensively) or the original Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (pack of 5 boxes).
Hot Tip: Beyond macaroni and noodles.. out our Complete Guide on how to cut spending by $400/month! (This guide is our most popular article and has been shared over 1.5 million times on Facebook and Pinterest!)
Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 oz. box elbow macaroni
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded (reserve 1 cup for the top)
- 2 cups milk
- 4 eggs beaten
- 1/2 stick of butter
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Prepare macaroni according to instructions on box.
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Drain and return to pot.
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Add 3 cups of cheese, milk, eggs, butter and cream cheese.
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Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Pour into a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish.
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Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
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Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
Recipe Notes
If you need a good casserole dish, We recommend the Pyrex Basic Glass Baking Dishes. They’ve been making bakeware and the good old casserole dish since practically since baking was a thing!
Tomorrow, The Budget Diet will feature Best Macaroni and Cheese! If you’re looking for a creamy macaroni and cheese, don’t miss it!
Made this but substituted milk for hwc and loved it!
Can you prep this the night before then pop it in the oven the next day?
I made this but used extra sharp cheddar and gruyere cheese along with the cream cheese. I also sauteed garlic, onions, and a few red pepper flakes in the butter before adding the cheese and noodles to the pot. It turned out awesome
I made this vegan and added garlic and onion powder! Very tasty thanks!
I used 5 cups of cheese instead of four. I used one cup of havarti, one cup of Parmesan and 3 cups of sharp cheddar cheese. I also added one tablespoon of hot sauce. My family said it was the best they had ever tasted !
I added a little bit of onion powder, garlic powder and red pepper flakes to it. Wish I added more to give it the flavor it so desperately needed. And I only used one egg! 4 is waaaaaay too many.
It didn’t say it was creamy macaroni and cheese it said it was southern. You must have done something wrong because it came out just perfect it was creamy in the middle and a little crusty on top it was delicious. Maybe you should try it again
Was easy to make, but came out kind of bland. Wasn’t cheesy/creamy enough. probably would do a deeper pan and do more layers of cheese and add more cheese, and use probably 1 oz. less cream cheese. I put hot sauce and cayenne spice on it after it cooked and it became ahmazing. This is a nice recipe to play around with later with portions (:
Out new family favorite. So easy to make.
This was super easy and super delicious!! It did need extra seasoning but it was fantastic!!
fixing to give this one a try thanks so much for sharing your recipe
This is the BEST Mac and cheese recipe! I did add 8 ounces of cream cheese, salt, pepper and group mustard. With the added cream cheese it had a more creamy texture, which I love. Thanks for sharing!!
I leave my butter and cream cheese out so they’re room temperature. I drain the macaroni, put the butter and cream cheese in the pot and cover it with the hot macaroni. I let that sit for a few minutes to let them melt. Then add the rest of the ingredients.
I leave my butter and cream cheese out so they’re room temperature. I drain the macaroni, put the butter and cream cheese in the pot and cover it with the hot macaroni. I let that sit for a few minutes to let them melt. Then add the rest of the ingredients.
I made this Sunday and my uncle LOVED it! He says this is the only way I’m allowed to make it from now on. Only issue is I didn’t add cream cheese…he doesn’t like it. But it was still delicious!
This is the only way my husband will eat it from now on. We love it and think it is perfect. We did try it with ham and it was pretty good too.
I prefer the mac and cheese recipe I came up with three weeks after my parents died; Dad and I both loved m/c, and we spent 38 years collaborating on finding the “perfect”-to-us recipe, which I came up with only three weeks after his death. My grandmothers were dead long, long before I was born, so that insipid statement(“like grandma made”) on any recipe is irritating, frankly. It’s utterly meaningless, especially in this day and age of extended and global families.
Thank you for sharing your misery. You’re a true Debbie Downer.
Lol Molly! So true!
With a name like Joy….. smh!!! LOL
Hahaha! Preach Miss Molly!!! ?
Hahaha! I laughed so hard at Molly! ?
Totally agree… Geeezzzzzzz
I totally agree
Hahaha. So funny’s
I will never understand why some people feel so compelled to be assholes. Your comment was meaningless and useless, and you maybe you should revisit something you should have learned in kindergarten, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
I agree! Why even comment at all?! If her recipe was so much better, why not share it?! Making this tonight. Looks and sounds awesome, can’t wait to try it!
I agree with you 100% I was wondering how this would go with some sour cream…
Join the discussion…I agree! She just shows how miserable and unhappy she is.
Hi Joy
Could you share your grandmas recipe?
Thanks?
Pa’lease. It’s just a name. Get over yourself.
Ummm what????
Made this the first time and it was just like the picture, (good, but not creamy, just my preference) worth a second effort. This time I added 1 cup more milk 1 cup more cheese, tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and covered it while baking. Perfect.
Can you make day before?
I added garlic powder, some grilled chicken for the kids half. Then the same in ours plus jalapeños. Then topped it with crushed garlic ritz crackers.
Thanks for the comments. I’m going”what the heck is wrong with Grandma’s Recipies??? My two Grandmothers were great cooks” and yes all my recipes are listed, Grandma Nienow and Jostock!!
I just don’t understand why she contested making anything that had their name attached to it. It’s a Lito self centered to put her name on a recipe especially if was one of her Grandmas. Oh.. My grandma has passed on or deceased, NOT, My grandma is DEAD..
Amen, it’s a shame she didn’t learn decorum or tact from anyone. I think she may be a little jealousy. I think she is sad. But, It’s her problem and it sounds like a big one.
Actually the term ‘dead’ is accurate and preferred in the grief counseling community. Other phrases are misleading and confusing for kids especially.
This mac and cheese is great. I halved the recipe and it was easy and delicious. I will use this recipe again and again.
Made this exactly by the recipe. But I’m wondering it does taste a little bland. Wondering if there is anything I could add to make it more flavorful?
I added Pecarino Romano and Garlic. Made it taste like a truffle mac and cheese
Do you melt the butter and cheese?
I did when I threw it all back in the pot. I heard it til it melted a bit. Otherwise cream cheese would just be chunks
Yes. I was thinking of doing that too.
Do you melt the butter first?
This is my first try. I did melt the butter and cream cheese first. I probably didn’t add enough salt, but I’d rather under season than over. My husband’s family are not into alot of spice! We are! Must please the masses!!
Thanks for a super easy go to Mac and cheese!
It was awesome , but I did make a couple of changes …. Whole block of cream cheese , 1 cup of whole milk and 1 cup of carnation milk …. I extra cup of velveta cheese …. Mmmm
Velveeta?? ?
Velveeta makes it really smooth and creamy. I followed the recipe which is pretty much the way my mom made it but added some Velveeta.I like it either way though. Thanks for sharing!
This isn’t your kids cheesy mac & cheese. Lol. It is delicious “old school, authentic” mac & cheese. Delicious!
Okay. .lol as many others- looking for fast recipe. . Then started reading. I halved the recipe. I also added 1/4 tsp ground mustard… I was searching for a certain consistency – then thought- half the recipe- half the time! … a few minutes over 15 in the oven, I pulled it out! Then I thought, was I supposed to add 1 egg or 2. Confirmed 2 eggs for half. Although the consistency was slightly thicker than wanted, the taste with my 1/4tsp addition is why I’m giving it 5 stars – cuz the flavor is spot on.
OH YEAH… that sounds awesome.Hi.. I’m still wondering What is a confirmed egg. ?Recipe sounds great.
Perfect!! No changes made..pan was gone in no time! Thanks for the great easy recipe!
Ok, so I am making this right now for dinner. I put it together exactly as the directions stated and put it in the oven, then I started reading the reviews… After about 10 minutes in the oven, I pulled it out. Added the remaining 4oz of cream cheese, poured in a little more milk, added some garlic powder and minced onion and extra pepper. Then I topped it again with another 1 cup of shredded cheese. Threw it back in and finished baking it until nicely browned. Turned out great!! Tasted a lot like the mac and cheese from KFC only better! Fyi, it is supposed to be soupy before you bake it. I’m sure it would have been good without the extras but most people aren’t used to this type of Mac and cheese. I love it no matter how it comes!
After reading the reviews, I added the extra 1/2 cup of milk and the full pkg of cream cheese. It was delicious. I think when I make it again, I will only add a 1/4 cup extra of milk. I used sharp cheddar and mixed it up with blended cheeses. Thank you so much for this recipe!!!
I really wanted to like this recipe but it was very disappointing. I used room temperature eggs, milk, cream cheese, and butter. I combined the hot noodles with the cheeses, eggs, and butter. Everything combined nicely. I wish I’d stopped here and baked it for 10-12 mins at this point. Instead, I followed the directions and added the milk. Im not sure how other people’s turned out dry because even after baking, mine was runny. The cheese became grainy with the milk. It was extremely bland as well. Can check this one off the list- been there, made that, never again.
I literally JUST put it in the oven & now I’m reading the comments about extra milk & cream cheese hahah. My boys aren’t fans of cream cheese/cheese so I’m hoping it comes out ok without the extra ingredients. Fingers crossed guys..
Would NEVER think to use eggs in my mac & cheese! I looked at the comments, & a few other recipes on Pinterest…
I added an extra 2 cups milk, and used the whole brick of cream cheese, sprinkled in a little garlic, & sauteed a big Vidalia onion, coarsely chopped, and a good sized zucchini, in the butter called for, and stirred into the mix.
Then added @ 2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach, coarsely chopped.
Cooked in my 6 qt Nesco for @ an hour on 275°
Turned out perfect, looking forward to the leftovers, reheated in a cast iron skillet!
Yummy, I usually make a white sauce then add cheese n bake but adding the eggs and cream cheese made this dish I hit! Will be using this from now own.
Fantastic. Add about 12 strips of chopped bacon bits and it’ll blow your mind
Just like my grandmother used to make! Perfect!
AWSOME !!!!!!! And I’m from Charleston, SC
This is dry and not a southern mac-n-cheese.
Tried this tonight. Thank you!! I made a smaller portion and measured things differently. But, came out great. This recipe is a for sure keeper.
This mac and cheese was dry. Unfortunately, I didn’t read prior reviews as I was in a rush to find a good recipe. Flavor was good, just dry. I would of used less pasta and more fluids and cheese next time.
this is the old way to make macaroni and cheese and was not supposed to be creamy. It was very good and just an older way to make. We like it both ways.
Yumm yumm love this ..always adding more cream cheese because im a cteam cheese lover but yes krystin it was soupy at first, but turned just right when cooked.
I read reviews before making this. I did add more milk and full block of cream cheese. I can see how it would be very dry without extra cause it was perfect with extra.
I added about a cup more of cheese cause I love cheese and skipped the butter and eggs. Read some reviews saying it wasn’t as creamy with eggs and didn’t think butter was necessary. Turned out great! !
Every year during the holidays I’m on a mission to find a great baked mac n cheese recipe and this one was not disappointing. After reading the comments about dryness i also added an extra 1/2 cup of milk, full 8 oz block of cream cheese and did throw in a little extra flavor with half sharp cheddar half pepper jack. Family approved!!
I added 1/2 extra cup of milk and used entire 8 oz block of cream cheese. Baked until brown on top. This solved previous statements of being too dry. Best Mac and cheese recipe.
I actually really enjoyed this recipe, I do agree with it not being very creamy may add more milk next time.
So where exactly do the eggs come in since it’s not in the instructions.
It’s number 3
Krystine, it was soupy until I baked it. Didn’t turn out with a creamy sauce. More like a custard because of all the eggs. Definitely didn’t look like the picture, but it tasted okay. Prefer a creamy mac ‘n’ cheese.
just made this. Awesome! I’m somewhat of a Mac & cheese-phile, always looking for new recipes. This is definitely in the top 3.
Was it soupy until you baked it??
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