Best 7 Grandmas Southern Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with Grandma's Southern Mac and Cheese, a culinary masterpiece that embodies the essence of Southern cuisine. This delectable dish, passed down through generations, combines creamy, cheesy goodness with a hint of Southern charm. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with three irresistible variations: the classic Southern Mac and Cheese, featuring a luscious blend of cheddar and Parmesan cheeses; the Spicy Southern Mac and Cheese, adding a kick of heat with cayenne pepper and jalapeños; and the Baked Southern Mac and Cheese, a golden-brown, crispy-topped delight. Embark on a culinary journey to savor the flavors of the South, with each recipe promising a unique and unforgettable experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BEST-EVER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese image

In the South, mac 'n cheese is like everyone's favorite aunt-and this best-ever recipe beats out the rest.

Provided by Southern Living Test Kitchen

Categories     Casserole

Time 1h10m

Yield Serves 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

16 ounces uncooked large elbow macaroni, large shells, or cavatappi pasta
6 tablespoons salted butter
⅓ cup grated yellow onion
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 ½ cups milk
1 ¾ cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
4 ounces extra-sharp yellow Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup), plus 4 oz. diced (about 1 cup), divided
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded, (about 1 cup), plus 4 oz. diced (about 1 cup), divided

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente.
  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Add next 6 ingredients; cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add flour, and cook, stirring, until golden, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened, 5 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 cup each of shredded Cheddar cheeses until melted. (Reserve remaining 1/4 cup each of shredded cheeses.) Stir in pasta and diced cheeses; pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch (3-quart) baking dish.
  • Bake on a rimmed baking sheet in preheated oven until bubbly and golden, 30 minutes. Remove from oven; increase oven temperature to broil. Sprinkle with reserved shredded cheeses; broil 6 inches from heat until cheeses are melted and golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from oven; cool slightly on a wire rack, about 15 minutes.

GRANDMA'S HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE



Grandma's Homemade Macaroni and Cheese image

My Grandmother's delightful and VERY TASTY recipe for macaroni in cheese, which is FAR better than the kind right out of the box. Our whole family enjoys this recipe, especially the kids. She often has to make twice the recipe to satisfy just my grandpa and uncles!

Provided by Kat11274

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups macaroni (uncooked)
1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
paprika

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni until soft.
  • Use a large roast-pan or bowl which you would cook casseroles in the oven, and put a thin layer of macaroni upon the bottom, and then spread cheese over that layer, and repeat this layering process until the cheese and macaroni are gone (makes about 3-4 layers each).
  • Mix salt, pepper, eggs and milk together.
  • Pour into layered macaroni & cheese, until filled at the top (or until it is gone).
  • Sprinkle w/ paprika on top.
  • Place in oven, Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes (covered).
  • Enjoy!

SOUTHERN MAC AND CHEESE



Southern Mac and Cheese image

Kardea Brown's grandma has been making this macaroni and cheese for more than 50 years - and before that, her great-grandmother made it. It's a staple at family gatherings, especially during the holidays. Kardea put her own twist on the recipe by adding cream cheese and sour cream. "It creates a creamier texture and slightly tangy flavor," she says.

Provided by Kardea Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish
Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if needed
4 ounces cream cheese
1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
Freshly ground pepper
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 1 1/2 cups)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch or other 3-quart baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain, then rinse with cold water.
  • Using the same pot the macaroni was cooked in, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. While whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and then the heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, then add the cream cheese and all but 1/2 cup shredded cheddar and stir until melted. Stir in the granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove the cheese sauce from the heat and stir in the macaroni. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Whisk together the eggs and sour cream in a small bowl and then fold into the mac and cheese. Spread in the baking dish, then fold in the cubed cheddar and top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar. Bake until the mac and cheese just begins to brown on top, 20 to 30 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and bake 10 to 15 more minutes.

SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE



Southern Macaroni and Cheese image

There is macaroni and cheese, and then there is special occasion macaroni and cheese like this one. Unlike most recipes, which start with a roux, this one begins with a milk-and-egg base, which gives the dish an incredibly rich, silky taste. It's adapted from Millie Peartree, the owner of Millie Peartree Fish Fry & Soul Food restaurant in the Bronx, who has been making this dish since she was a little girl. The recipe was passed down in her family for generations, but because of the generous amount of cheese used, the dish was only made for events like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Extra-sharp Cheddar adds tartness and a layer of Colby Jack creates a gooey, molten center. If you can't find a Colby Jack blend, shredded mozzarella or a Mexican-style blend will work in its place.

Provided by Kiera Wright-Ruiz

Categories     dinner, weeknight, casseroles, noodles, pastas, main course, side dish

Time 45m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 cups whole milk
2 large eggs
4 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (about 16 ounces)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
2 cups shredded Colby Jack (about 8 ounces)

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.
  • Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove from oven. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. (The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.)
  • Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.

GRANDMA'S BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Grandma's Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

This is my Grandmothers recipe for macaroni and cheese. Serves about 8 comfortably, more if its served as a side dish. I had to guess at the serving size as she says "depends on how many are eating and how hungry they are". Very tasty! This is creamy, cheesy kid pleasing (and adults love it too)!

Provided by Brooke Alicia

Categories     Cheese

Time 50m

Yield 1 Casserole

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 cups uncooked macaroni (cook to your liking)
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 3/4 cups milk
4 cups cheddar cheese (shredded, packed)

Steps:

  • In saucepan, melt butter.
  • Remove from heat; blend in flour & salt.
  • Add milk; heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens a little and is smooth.
  • Add 3 C cheese, heat until melted.
  • Combine macaroni & sauce in casserole pan.
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until top of casserole is golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 3966.6, Fat 222.8, SaturatedFat 139, Cholesterol 694.3, Sodium 7067, Carbohydrate 301.4, Fiber 10.7, Sugar 10.8, Protein 186.4

GRANDMA'S MAC AND CHEESE



Grandma's Mac and Cheese image

"Here's a must-have for any cheese lover's recipe box," promises Melissa Bower from Carbondale, Illinois. "The creamy side dish is easy to make and gets rave reviews from everyone who tastes it."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 35m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1-1/3 cups 2% milk
2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2/3 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni

Steps:

  • In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheeses and Worcestershire sauce; stir until cheese is melted. Fold in macaroni., Pour into a 1-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 474 calories, Fat 23g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 77mg cholesterol, Sodium 1022mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 30g protein.

GRANDMOTHER'S MACARONI AND CHEESE



Grandmother's Macaroni and Cheese image

This is my grandmother's macaroni and cheese. It is best when cooked in a clay baking dish at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 1 hour.

Provided by LAURA67

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup elbow macaroni
1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
⅔ cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 dash hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®)
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain.
  • Stir macaroni, Cheddar cheese, milk, egg, mustard, hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; pour into a baking dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until brown and thickened, about 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 309 calories, Carbohydrate 22.4 g, Cholesterol 94.2 mg, Fat 16.6 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 17.1 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 344.2 mg, Sugar 3 g

Tips for Making Grandma's Southern Mac and Cheese

  • Use a good quality cheddar cheese. This is the main ingredient in the dish, so it's important to use a cheese that has a sharp, flavorful taste.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni. It should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Make sure the cheese sauce is smooth and creamy. If it's too thick, add a little milk or cream. If it's too thin, cook it over low heat until it thickens.
  • Season the dish to taste. Salt and pepper are essential, but you can also add other spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
  • Bake the mac and cheese until it's golden brown and bubbly. This will give it a crispy top and a creamy center.
  • Let the mac and cheese cool slightly before serving. This will help it to set and make it easier to serve.

Conclusion

Grandma's Southern Mac and Cheese is a classic dish that is loved by people of all ages. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. Whether you like it cheesy, creamy, or spicy, this recipe is sure to please. So next time you're looking for a comforting and delicious meal, give Grandma's Southern Mac and Cheese a try!

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