This Easy Baked Mac and Cheese is the next level to your Mac and Cheese game that the whole family will love. It’s a good old fashioned baked macaroni and cheese with creamy cheese sauce that’s a classic mac and cheese!

An upclose photo of easy baked mac and cheese on a white ramekin

Easy Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

One of the great things about this easy macaroni and cheese recipe is that it’s ready in under an hour. It is a great recipe that incorporates all the southern flavors and is perfect for busy weeknight dinners, hearty lunches, and of course it’s a classic comfort food.

This recipe is also known as southern baked mac and cheese or soul food mac and cheese, and is so creamy and rich it will become your go-to recipe! It’s simply the best baked mac and cheese.

Ingredients

12 oz. elbow macaroni
3 cups whole milk – it’s best to use whole milk
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp. onion salt
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
1 tsp. pepper
½ tsp salt
6 cups cheddar or Monterey Jack blend shredded cheese
¼ cup butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and set aside.
In medium-sized pan, cook elbow macaroni according to package directions, but cook a minute or two less just until the macaroni are al dente. Drain and set aside.
In medium mixing bowl whisk together milk, all purpose flour, onion salt, mustard, and salt and pepper.

bowl with elbow macaroni and milk with shredded cheese on top

Pour this white sauce milk mixture into the cooked pasta and stir to combine.
Add in cheese to the pasta mixture.

milk mixture with elbow macaroni in white casserole dish

Pour the macaroni mixture in an even layer into the prepared baking dish.
Melt butter and pour over pasta mixture.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until top is golden. Let it stand 5 minutes before serving.

baked mac and cheese in white casserole dish

Suggestions and Alternatives

Use different types of cheese. There are so many types of cheeses that taste amazing in this easy Mac and Cheese recipe. Experiment with different combination of cheeses. We love Monterey Jack cheese, it’s mild and slightly sweet, which contrasts well with the sharp cheddar cheese, and has a wonderful creamy texture when combined. You could also use Gruyere because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a great nutty flavor. Other alternatives would include a colby jack, Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, and Havarti. Brie would work well too, but you would need to remove the rind before mixing it in.
If you don’t have milk to hand then you can substitute it with another milk product such as a heavy cream, cream cheese, sour cream, butter, or margarine will work well instead of milk in your baked mac and cheese.
Cover the macaroni and cheese while baking to keep your dish extra creamy and not get a crispy finish.
Add breadcrumbs on top for an even crispier finish or add crumbled ritz crackers like on my Pineapple Casserole Recipe.
Add in vegetables like partly cooked peas, corn, or other veggies like I added in my Hamburger Casserole Recipe for added texture or to bulk it up to make it into a one-dish wonder.
Using a block of cheese and shredding it yourself is always going to provide a better tasting dish than store-bought pre-shredded cheese because the pre-shredded variety is coated with a waxy substance to help preserve the shelf life. This wax coating makes the cheese harder to melt and also doesn’t enhance the flavor of the cheese in any way.
Add some heat – add a bit of cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or even some red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture before baking to add a bit of spice to this dish.

What Side Dishes Go with This Dish?

Pair this casserole with a side salad or any main vegetable to complete a meal. It also makes a great side dish of its own next to ham or beef, and is the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving and Christmas menu.

Nearly all vegetable side dishes goes well with baked mac and cheese, but here are some of my favorites:

Why Bake Macaroni and Cheese?

Baking macaroni and cheese gives the top a crisp and crunchy texture which really brings out the flavor of the cheeses used. Like with similar casseroles, you could bake covered and then broil for a few minutes at the end of the baking time until golden brown and crispy.

Should You Cover Your Mac and Cheese When Baking?

If you’re wanting the top of the mac and cheese to be crisp and crunchy then no, don’t cover it, or cover it for the majority of the baking time and then broil for the last part of baking. Though baked mac and cheese is crispiest when baked uncovered, and you would want to leave it uncovered to go crisp especially if you put optional breadcrumbs on top.

Top view photo of easy baked mac and cheese on a white ramekin

How Do I Store Baked Mac and Cheese?

Once your baked mac and cheese has cooled to room temperature, refrigerate it in a shallow airtight container or cover fully with plastic wrap. Properly stored, baked macaroni and cheese will last for three to five days in the refrigerator.

This is one of those classic recipes you’ll want to have on hand and it will quickly become a favorite recipe.

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Shelly says

March 25, 2022

This recipe is so delicious! Definitely a family favourite!

Easy Baked Mac and Cheese