Name: Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, block-style; 8 ounces smoked gouda cheese, block-style; 8 ounces pepper jack cheese, block-style; 8 ounces Velveeta, original flavor, cubed; 1 pound dried elbow macaroni pasta; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick); 1/4 cup all purpose flour; 2 cups whole milk; 2 cups half-and-half; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon ground mustard; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

There’s something incredibly comforting about a rich, cheesy, and creamy casserole bubbling fresh from the oven. This Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe is exactly that—a blend of melty cheeses, a velvety sauce, and a golden crispy topping that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

A white rectangular ceramic dish filled with a golden top layer of melted cheese, slightly browned at the edges, covers creamy macaroni noodles underneath. The middle layer shows gooey cheese stretching as a spoon lifts a serving of soft pasta with small, dense, hollow macaroni pieces coated in thick yellow cheese sauce. A woman's hand holds the spoon at the bottom right corner, pulling up the cheesy pasta from the dish, which sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made a lot of mac and cheese in my day, but this Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe stands out every time. It perfectly balances cheesy comfort with that signature Southern baked crispiness on top you’re always dreaming of.

Cheesy Blend Magic: Combining sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, pepper jack, and Velveeta creates an irresistible depth of flavor and meltiness.
Perfect Texture: The al dente pasta mixed with creamy sauce and a golden baked crust gives you textural bliss in every spoonful.
Seasoned to Perfection: A touch of spices like smoked paprika and a hint of cayenne elevate this dish beyond basic mac and cheese.
Classic Southern Comfort: This recipe delivers that nostalgic, homestyle feeling that makes every meal special.

The dish is a baked macaroni and cheese in a white baking dish. It has one main layer of elbow macaroni covered with a creamy, bright yellow-orange cheese sauce. On top is a thick layer of melted, golden-brown cheese with some small browned spots and a slightly bubbly, textured surface. A spoon with a white and gold handle is scooping into the dish, pulling up soft, cheesy pasta that looks smooth and rich. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Getting your ingredients right really makes this Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe sing. Every cheese adds its own personality, creating a robust flavor profile that’s hard to beat. Plus, a few pantry staples bring everything together perfectly.

Flat lay of a natural block of sharp cheddar cheese with a smooth orange texture, a block of smoked gouda cheese showing creamy pale yellow color, a block of pepper jack cheese speckled with red and green chili bits, cubed pale orange Velveeta cheese, a neat pile of dried elbow macaroni pasta with a slight curve and smooth surface, a stick of unsalted butter with a pale yellow hue, a small bowl of all-purpose flour in fine white powder, a small white ceramic bowl filled with whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl holding creamy half-and-half, a small white ceramic bowl containing kosher salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl with freshly ground black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl of mustard powder in bright yellow, a small white ceramic bowl with light beige garlic powder, a small white ceramic bowl of finely ground onion powder, a small white ceramic bowl containing deep reddish smoked paprika, a small white ceramic bowl with pale tan ground nutmeg, and a tiny white ceramic bowl with a pinch of bright red cayenne pepper placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Sharp cheddar: This is your classic mac and cheese cheese—adds sharpness and classic cheesy flavor.
Smoked gouda: Adds a creamy, smoky dimension that’s truly special and unexpected.
Pepper jack: Brings subtle heat and a nice gooey texture.
Velveeta (cubed): The secret weapon for that ultra creamy, melt-in-your-mouth smoothness.
Elbow macaroni: The traditional pasta shape that holds sauce beautifully, plus it’s fun and nostalgic.
Unsalted butter: Essential for making your roux, which thickens the cheese sauce.
All purpose flour: Combines with butter to create the base thickener for your luscious sauce.
Whole milk & half-and-half: A combo that delivers richness without being overwhelmingly heavy.
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper: For fundamental seasoning balance.
Ground mustard: Adds a subtle tang that lifts the cheese flavors.
Garlic powder & onion powder: The understated aromatics that deepen flavor complexity.
Smoked paprika: Reinforces the smokiness playing off the gouda.
Ground nutmeg: A classic touch in creamy sauces to warm up the dish.
Cayenne pepper (optional): Just a pinch to add warmth and a little kick if you like it spicy.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about the Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe is how flexible it is! I love jazzing it up depending on the season or what I have on hand—and you should definitely feel empowered to make it your own.

Variation: Once, I swapped half the smoked gouda for sharp white cheddar—gave it a brighter flavor I thought was just fantastic.
Dietary tweaks: Use gluten-free flour to make it safe if you need – still so rich and creamy!
Spice it up: Add a diced jalapeño or some hot sauce for a little extra kick—Southern with a twist!
Make it veggie-friendly: Throw in roasted cauliflower or spinach for a hearty boost.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Dish & Shred the Cheeses

First, preheat your oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13 baking dish. I like using butter here — it gives a lovely flavor and helps the edges crisp up beautifully. Then, grab your block cheeses and shred the cheddar, gouda, and pepper jack. I find using a food processor is a huge time saver, but a box grater works just fine too. Set the shredded cheeses aside and keep the cubed Velveeta separate for later.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Just Right

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until just al dente — about 5 to 6 minutes. Don’t overcook; the pasta finishes cooking in the oven, and you want it to keep a bit of a bite. Drain and rinse under cool water to stop cooking—this little step keeps the pasta from getting mushy later.

Step 3: Make the Roux & Cheese Sauce

In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it starts to sizzle, sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until the roux turns a soft golden color—that cooks out that raw flour taste. Then slowly whisk in the milk and half-and-half, and bring it to a gentle simmer. Keep whisking to avoid lumps! Simmer about 5 minutes until thickened, then stir in all the seasonings.

Now comes the exciting part — fold in about three-quarters of the shredded cheeses until the sauce is thick, smooth, and full of cheesy goodness. Taste and adjust seasoning if you need a little more punch. This sauce will coat the pasta like a dream.

Step 4: Combine & Bake

Toss the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce until each piece is nicely coated. Pour it all into your baking dish. Dot the Velveeta cubes evenly across the top, pushing them just below the surface for little creamy pockets. Then sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheese.

Pop the dish on a large baking sheet (to catch any bubbly overflow) and bake uncovered for 35 minutes. You’re looking for a bubbly, golden top with crispy edges. If you want that extra bronzed, almost blistered touch like I do, switch your oven to broil for about 2 minutes at the end—but watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make this Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe shine. Those little details can make a big difference when you want to impress or simply enjoy the best homemade comfort food possible.

Don’t Skip the Rinse: Rinsing pasta after cooking stops it from getting mushy, especially important here since it bakes again.
Use Whole Milk and Half-and-Half: This combo adds richness without making it cloying or too heavy.
Reserve Cheese for Topping: Sprinkling cheese on top at the end helps form that irresistible crust everyone raves about.
Broil Carefully: The broiler adds a gorgeous, slightly blistered finish—just don’t walk away, it only takes a couple minutes.

How to Serve Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Southern baked mac and cheese - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I tend to keep garnishes simple—a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives adds a pop of color and fresh flavor that balances the rich cheese. Sometimes I crush a few buttery toasted breadcrumbs or roasted nuts on top for an extra crunch element.

Side Dishes

This baked mac and cheese pairs beautifully with classic Southern sides like collard greens, fried green tomatoes, or crispy baked chicken. I especially love serving it alongside a tangy cucumber salad to cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or special occasions, I’ve made this into individual ramekins topped with extra cheese and herbs to make it feel extra special and personalized. Another fun idea is layering with cooked bacon or caramelized onions between layers before baking for an upscale twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, I usually add a splash of milk to loosen it up and cover loosely with foil, warming it in the oven at 350°F until heated through to keep everything creamy and prevent drying out.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well too. Just cool completely, wrap tightly with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently in the oven as above for best texture.

Reheating

Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the top soggy. I prefer reheating in a preheated oven at 350°F, covered, to maintain that delicious baked crust and creamy inside. Stir halfway through warming to evenly distribute heat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of cheese?

Absolutely! The combo I suggest balances flavor and meltiness, but feel free to experiment with what you like or have on hand—monterey jack, mozzarella, or fontina work well too.

How do I prevent my mac and cheese from being too runny or dry?

The key is cooking the pasta al dente and making a properly thickened cheese sauce before baking. Also, don’t overbake. If the dish looks dry, add a splash of milk before serving.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the mac and cheese up to the baking step the day before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. When you’re ready, just bake it as directed—possibly adding a few extra minutes since it’s cold.

What’s the trick to getting a crispy cheese topping?

Using shredded cheese on top and broiling for the final two minutes is what creates that wonderful crispy, bubbly crust. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!

Final Thoughts

You know, this is one of those recipes that feels like a little celebration every time I make it. The Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe is comforting in a way that makes you slow down and savor each bite. I hope you enjoy it just as much as my friends and family do around my table. So grab your cheeses, bring out the butter, and get ready to bake up some coziness that will have everyone asking for seconds.