Mac and cheese is a childhood favorite that most of us never give up on. What’s not to love about noodles and cheese? Let’s have a look at my Southern mac and cheese recipe.
Ingredients
- elbow macaroni noodles – 1 lb
- block of Velveeta cheese – 1 lb
- shredded cheddar
- shredded mozzarella
- milk
- butter
- white pepper – 1 tsp
- garlic powder – 1 tbsp
- onion powder – 1 tbsp
Prepping Southern Mac And Cheese
The first thing you need to do is get a big pot of water boiling for your macaroni noodles. You need enough water to cover the noodles throughout the cooking process, which will take around 10 minutes. If you are not sure if you have enough, follow the package’s instructions.
Next up we need to get the cheese ready. I didn’t put quantities on some of the cheeses because they can be adjusted based on your preference. You definitely need the Velveeta though, as it is the foundation of the cheese sauce. It basically replaces making a rue. You can scale up the recipe by matching the poundage of the Velveeta and the noodles.
My block of Velveeta came in a 2 lb package, so I only had to cut it in half to get the right amount. Chop the block into smaller squares so it will melt faster. Get your bags of shredded cheese open and ready. The last thing you need to do is get your spices measured and have your milk handy.
How To Make Southern Mac And Cheese
As soon as your water starts boiling, add a little salt and butter to it. Toss in your noodles and let them cook for 10-11 minutes, stirring occasionally. While they are cooking, you can start working on the cheese sauce.
Add your chopped-up Velveeta to a saucepan. Sprinkle a handful of shredded cheddar and mozzarella on top of it. Cover this mountain of cheese with milk. It should take around 2 cups. Toss in some butter, and then incorporate the seasonings. Mix the seasoning into the sauce well, then place on medium-low heat.
Stir the cheese sauce frequently to prevent the bottom of the pan from scorching. Once the noodles are done cooking, strain them in the sink and add them to a good-sized mixing bowl. Set aside until your cheese sauce is completely melted. Go ahead and turn on your oven or toaster oven and set it to 350 degrees.
When the cheese sauce is complete, pour it on top of the noodles in the mixing bowl. Mix well, until all of the noodles are covered in cheesy goodness. Grab your favorite baking dish and spray it down with cooking spray. This is a baked mac and cheese recipe.
Pour the noodles into the dish and then rain down some shredded cheddar on top of it. Put the mac into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes. Once the cheddar topping is melted, your Southern mac and cheese is good to go!
Toppings And Additions To Mac And Cheese
I’m not a fan of adding crunch to my mac and cheese, but for those that want a little texture, you can add some crunched-up Goldfish, Cheez-its, or panko breadcrumbs when you add the shredded cheddar on top. You can even add bacon bits for a little meaty bite. You are only limited by your imagination when it comes to this dish!
Mac and cheese is a versatile side dish that goes with a number of dinner setups. It is great as a side for BBQs, soul food dinners, or even just a quick Monday night meal. It is also very popular with kids, so it’s great for family meals.
Mac and cheese is also a great addition to a Sunday dinner. If you are looking for Sunday dinner ideas, check out my Ultimate Southern Sunday dinner ideas guide.
