Macaroni and cheese, mac and cheese, macaroni pie, whatever you want to call it. It is one of the best comfort foods out there, especially in the southern states. With all of its creamy cheesy goodness, makes my mouth water just thinking about it. In this post, I am going to show you how to make an amazing southern baked macaroni and cheese casserole.
Macaroni and cheese is one of my all-time favorite side dishes. I suppose you can even call it a meal. Because, yes, I will eat an oversized bowl of mac and cheese all by itself and not even feel guilty about it. My husband likes to cut up hotdogs and put them in a big bowl of mac and cheese.
I know you can just go to the store and buy a box of mac and cheese that you just add a powdery substance to. Or even a frozen pre-made mac and cheese. It seems like an easier thing to do.
Why go to all the trouble to make “made from scratch mac and cheese”? Good question and I will tell you. Because box macaroni and cheese sucks and doesn’t even come close to the homemade stuff. Trust me.
This homemade macaroni and cheese recipe is just as easy, I promise. If you can boil noodles, melt butter, pour milk, and mix in a few more ingredients then you are good to go my friend. You will be thanking me later.
Just so you know, this recipe makes a great side dish for just about any dinner you plan on cooking. Here are a few examples: hamburger steak, fried chicken, and don’t forget BBQ. Macaroni and cheese is a must-have when you have BBQ.
Then there is pot roast, baked ham, and your Thanksgiving turkey dinner. In case you didn’t already know this, it is also the best mac and cheese for Christmas dinner! Just make sure to double up on the recipe so you’re able to feed everyone at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Now that you know what to serve your macaroni pie with, let’s move on to learning how to make the most amazeballs macaroni and cheese ever!
Ingredients For Macaroni And Cheese
- 2 cups Elbow macaroni noodles
- 2 cups Shredded Fiesta Blend Cheese (any variety blend)
- 1 1/2 cups Milk
- 2 tbsp Butter (melted)
- 1 Eggs
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
Baked Macaroni And Cheese
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°.
Next, boil two cups of elbow noodles per the directions on the box. Any type of noodles will work really. I typically use whatever I have in my cabinet.
Whether that is elbow, penne, spiral, or even bowtie. Once the noodles are finished cooking, drain them.
Next, spray a 2.5-quart casserole dish with nonstick spray and pour the noodles into your casserole dish.
In a small bowl melt 2 tbsp of butter. Once melted add in one egg and beat the two together. Then add 1.5 cups of milk, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper.
Mix it all together until well combined then pour over your cooked noodles and then stir all of that together.
Next, pour 1.5 to 2 cups of shredded mixed cheese. Measure with your heart friend. I always go for the full two cups.
Seriously, the cheesier the better. If you don’t have a variety blend then do half cheddar and half mozzarella. If you don’t have that then just do cheddar.
But I suggest a blend of some sort if possible. After making this a gazillion times a blend is the better choice but just cheddar is fine too.
Once you add your cheese, give it a good stir and mix everything together.
Then place it in the oven at 375° for 35 minutes. That’s it.
Serve as a side dish, serve it by itself, or add some cut-up hotdogs, or maybe even some kielbasa YUM! Enjoy!
Just look at all the ooey gooey cheesy awesomeness after I give it a good stir. I promise you it is so damn GOOD!!
Here are a few other sides that go great with macaroni and cheese.
And no, you aren’t seeing double. I wanted to include my crockpot mac and cheese recipe just in case you are in a pinch for oven space.
I know when it comes to things like Thanksgiving dinner it’s nice to be able to throw something in the crockpot instead of take up more space in the oven.
But the baked version will forever be MY favorite!
Baked Macaroni And Cheese
Equipment
- 2.5qt Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 2 cups Uncooked Elbow Noodles
- 2 tbsp Butter (melted)
- 1 Egg (slightly beaten)
- 1½ cups Milk
- 2 cups Shredded Cheese, Fiesta Blend or Half Cheddar Half Mozzarella
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°
- Boil the noodles per the directions on the box. Drain when finished.
- Spray a 2.5qt baking dish with nonstick spray and then pour in your cooked noodles.
- In a small bowl melt your butter. Add an egg and beat the two together. Then add milk, salt, and pepper. Stir everything until well combined. Pour over your noodles and stir some more.
- Add 2 cups of shredded cheese and stir until well combined.
- Bake in the oven at 375° for 35 minutes.
- Enjoy!