Southern-Style Mac 'n' Cheese (2024)

Make this Southern holiday stapleone of the starring sides at your Thanksgiving table.

Frequently asked questions

What is Southern mac and cheese?

Southern-style mac and cheese is typically made with a milk-and-egg base rather than a roux. Here, the milk component is an infused milk-and-cream mixture reserved from cooking the noodles (which adds even more richness to the dish). The finished macaroni and cheese is firm enough to slice into solid squares.

What cheese makes the best mac and cheese?

Three types of cheese — extra-sharp cheddar, Colby-Jack, and cream cheese — go into this impossibly decadent recipe. Mild Colby-Jack contributes superb meltability; extra-sharp cheddar imparts a distinctly cheesy flavor; and cream cheese bestows a luscious, velvety tang. For the smoothest texture, purchase block cheese for this recipe, not the pre-shredded kind (which contains anti-caking agents).

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

This Southern-style mac and cheese is simple to make but does require a bit of attention for a perfect result. Unlike most recipes, the macaroni here is cooked in the dairy instead of water. Resist the urge to boil the pasta until completely tender; you want it to just reach al dente. Since you'll need to use the reserved dairy to make the cheese sauce, overcooking the pasta means you likely won't have enough liquid left for the task. Also, be sure to set aside half a cup of the Colby-Jack to sprinkle on at the end for a beautifully browned top.

Southern-Style Mac 'n' Cheese (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between southern mac and cheese? ›

Southern macaroni and cheese often incorporates ingredients such as breadcrumbs or bacon to add extra flavor and texture. Other parts of the country may also include breadcrumbs, but they are usually used for a crispy topping instead of being incorporated into the dish.

Can you use evaporated milk instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

To make an easy mac and cheese with evaporated milk, cook eight ounces of pasta a minute shy of al dente in well-salted water, then drain. Return the drained pasta to the pot, and add a 12-ounce can of evaporated milk and all your cheese (you'll want 12 ounces of cheese for this amount of pasta) and seasonings.

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

Milk: Keeps our cheese sauce super creamy. I use whole milk or reduced-fat milk. Mustard and spices: A combination of Dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt makes this macaroni and cheese extra delicious. Cheese: I use white cheddar and parmesan or pecorino cheese.

What are the three best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Why do white people put bread crumbs on mac and cheese? ›

Why put breadcrumbs on mac and cheese? Not only does a breadcrumb topping for mac and cheese provide great textural contrast to the creaminess within, but it also adds even more flavor to the dish.

What happens if you use heavy cream instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

Heavy cream is, in my opinion, the best milk substitute for kraft mac and cheese. It's thicker and more luxurious than milk, so I actually think this makes a better end result! just add the heavy whipping cream in the same way you would add the milk.

Is heavy cream or evaporated milk better for mac and cheese? ›

It is better to use heavy cream for Mac and Cheese instead of milk, or better yet, use evaporated milk which has the thickness of heavy cream without all of the fat! Furthermore, it is more stable than heavy cream so your Macaroni and Cheese is less likely to curdle or separate.

Can I use chicken broth instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

Milk and chicken broth: Added to the roux to make the sauce for creamy mac and cheese. Chicken broth isn't commonly used to make mac and cheese, but we find it works great in place of half the milk and adds more flavor.

Can you use mayonnaise instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

While some folks use mayonnaise as a substitute for the milk and butter boxed mac and cheese calls for, the condiment also works as a supplement in addition to the traditional recipe. When mixed into macaroni and cheese, mayonnaise creates a rich and velvety texture that complements its rich flavor.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Sour Cream

There are a couple of reasons this is such a good substitute. For one thing, since sour cream is thicker than regular milk, it doesn't thin out the cheese sauce as much. That means that you can add more sour cream and still get a creamy finish.

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

Here's what several experts say are the biggest mistakes when it comes to making macaroni and cheese at home and how to avoid making them.
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt. ...
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. ...
  4. Overcooking. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? Yes, adding more cheese than a recipe calls for will not improve the dish. Too much cheese will result in a dish that is heavy and greasy.

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste bland? ›

If your mac and cheese tastes bland, it's either because it's under-seasoned, you didn't use flavorful cheese, or you didn't use enough cheese. Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it.

What's the difference between macaroni and cheese and mac and cheese? ›

Macaroni and cheese (also known as mac and cheese in Canada and the United States and macaroni cheese in the United Kingdom) is a dish of macaroni and a cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce. Its origins trace back to cheese and pasta casseroles dating to the 14th century in Italy and medieval England.

What type of cheese is Southern? ›

The best known "types" of traditional Southern cheese are pimento cheese (which is a dip, not a cheese itself), and hoop cheese, which is now a relative rarity, but was ubiquitous before the 1960s in local stores.

Is mac and cheese on Thanksgiving a southern thing? ›

One thing that Yankees may not be aware of is that a Southern Thanksgiving table almost always offers baked macaroni and cheese. Stuffing is referred to dressing in the South. For the most part, stuffing is what goes inside of the bird; dressing is what's cooked separately.

Why does shaped mac and cheese taste different? ›

Many, many people claim that shapes just taste better than the standard tube noodles (although some speculate it's because of the higher cheese sauce-to-noodle ratio). And this particular shape has somewhat of a cult following.

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