This Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese proves that sometimes the effort to make something the classic way is best. While this recipe may take a little more effort than the box kind, it is so worth it.
Who doesn’t love a creamy macaroni and cheese dish with a crispy top and an abundance of flavor that could not be beat.
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Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Old fashioned Baked Macaroni and cheese combines the best of all things. Beautiful melty cheese that blends so well together and enhances the delicious noodles then top it off with that crispy bit that you can not resist. It is perfection. Thomas Jefferson has a lot of input into modern mac and cheese.
Why This Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe is a Keeper
This traditional southern old fashioned mac and cheese will become a favorite at every meal. Whether it is for a small family or a large holiday gathering, everyone will request seconds and possibly thirds.
- Easy Preparation: Truly this recipe is almost as easy as the box stuff to make but tastes 1000 times better.
- Simple Ingredients: All found in pantry and the fridge.
- Family Friendly: A true crowd pleaser with everyone.
- Adaptable: Can make this mac and cheese ahead of time, or make it low-carb.
- Makes Great Leftovers: Keep in an airtight container and you can have several meals.
If you’re looking for more pasta inspired recipes, try these Crack Chicken Pasta, Cheeseburger Macaroni and Nonna’s Pasta Fagioli Soup.
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Can I use Evaporated Milk in Place of the Whole Milk?
Certainly, evaporated milk is wonderful in macaroni and cheese. The condensed milk mixes with the pasta’s starch and create a creamy emulsion. This milk has more protein and less fat than regular milk which makes the macaroni cheese creamier and less greasy for the cheese mixture.
Ingredient Notes for this Classic Mac and Cheese
- Elbow macaroni: Cook macaroni and drain.
- All Purpose Seasoning Blend: This is a blend of black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder etc.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese and Gruyere cheese are what we use. Grate a block of cheese or use pre-shredded cheese for easier melting.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements and nutrition information.
Variations and Substitutions to Make Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese Recipe
This southern mac and creamy cheese dish is perfect for a side dish or as the perfect main dish meal.
- Cheese: Try using your favorite variety of cheese. Just make sure it is a good melting cheese. The best cheese you like such as white cheddar.
- Vegetables: Broccoli, mushrooms, asparagus all can enhance the old fashioned macaroni and cheese recipe.
- Prep: This simple recipe can be frozen and heated up whenever you need a wonderful baked macaroni and cheese recipe.
Special Equipment Needed for Easy Southern Mac and Cheese Side Dish
If you are not going to use grated cheese than you will want a quick and easy way to shred it.
- Food Processor: Using a food processor will allow you to grate your cheese quickly.
How to Make Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
While this old fashioned recipe is a true classic, this recipe is truly easy to assemble and bake,
These are the basic steps for making this Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Prep
First, preheat oven and spray the casserole dish with cooking spray. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Then cook your pasta according to package directions.
STEP 2: Making a Roux and Create the Cheese Sauce
Then while the pasta is cooking, shred the cheeses and combine in a large bowl. Melt butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Next, add the flour and whisk for one minute or until the mixture becomes pasty. Slowly pour in the milk while continually whisking until the mixture is smooth.
STEP 3: Combine
Add the All Purpose Seasoning Blend and cook the sauce until it begins to thicken, about 5 minutes, whisking often. When the mixture has thickened, remove from the heat and stir in 2 cups of the shredded cheeses. Then stir until completely combined. Next, add another 2 cups of shredded cheeses and stir until completely combined. The mixture should be very thick.
STEP 4: Mix Pasta and Sauce
Next, add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and pour the cheese sauce over the pasta. Stir until it’s completely combined.
STEP 5: Ready to Bake the Best Mac and Cheese
Finally, top with remaining shredded cheese and bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Cover with aluminum foil if the dish gets too dark. Allow to sit for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe FAQs for Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Expert Tips for Making The Best Cheese and Mac Recipe
There are so many ways to enhance your macaroni and cheese ahead of time to make the perfect comfort food. Make this recipe with some of these delicious toppings.
- Cream Cheese: The cream cheese will make this old fashioned mac and cheese recipe even smoother and creamier.
- Cheese Grater: If you do not have a food processor use a cheese grater. Grate your own cheese for the creamy sauce. You want the sharp cheddar cheese to be the same so there are no big clumps.
- Meat: Bacon, cubed ham or other meat can be used for this cheesy mac.
- Heat: Cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can enhance this ultimate comfort food.
- Toppings: Bread crumb, fried onions, ritz crackers or even flaming hot Cheetos.
- Milk: Like a creamier dish. Add milk and egg to the recipe. Whisk in the milk to the beaten egg.
- Different Macaroni: Use a protein macaroni or a gluten free macaroni.
What to Serve with the Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound Elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
- ½ cup Butter, divided
- ½ cup Flour
- 3 ½ cups Whole milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning Blend
- 4 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded medium sharp, divided
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded,divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Spray a 13×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions; Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, shred the cheeses and combine in a large bowl.
- Melt butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat.
- Add the flour and whisk for one minute or until the mixture becomes pasty.
- Slowly pour in the milk while continually whisking until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the All Purpose Seasoning Blend and cook the sauce until it begins to thicken, about 5 minutes, whisking often.
- When the mixture has thickened, remove from the heat and stir in 2 cups of the shredded cheeses.
- Stir until completely combined.
- Add another 2 cups of shredded cheeses and stir until completely combined. The mixture should be very thick.
- Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and pour the cheese sauce over the pasta.
- Stir until it’s completely combined.
- Top with remaining shredded cheese and bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Expert Tips
- Cream Cheese: The cream cheese will make this old fashioned mac and cheese recipe even smoother and creamier.
- Cheese Grater: If you do not have a food processor use a cheese grater. Grate your own cheese for the creamy sauce. You want the sharp cheddar cheese to be the same so there are no big clumps.
- Meat: Bacon, cubed ham or other meat can be used for this cheesy mac.
- Heat: Cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can enhance this ultimate comfort food.
- Toppings: Bread crumb, fried onions, ritz crackers or even flaming hot Cheetos.
- Milk: Like a creamier dish. Add milk and egg to the recipe. Whisk in the milk to the beaten egg.
- Different Macaroni: Use a protein macaroni or a gluten free macaroni.
Tonight I learned an important lesson about my mac & cheese recipe….don’t make it in a stoneware baking dish. It’s much creamier if I make it in a regular baking dish. I think the stone sucks the moisture right out of it. Has anyone else ever noticed this happening?
Macaroni and cheese is one of the best things in the world to eat. When you find your perfect recipe, it’s like heaven on Earth. 🙂
Amen, sister!