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Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Tender macaroni baked in a rich, custardy blend of sharp cheeses until golden and bubbly on top.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 35 minCook time
🍽 8Servings
🏷 Deep South KitchenCategory
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Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Southern baked macaroni and cheese is a casserole, not a sauce — macaroni bound with a custard of eggs, milk, and evaporated milk, layered with plenty of sharp cheddar, and baked until the top is golden and set. It’s the mac and cheese of holiday tables.

Chef Emily presents Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

The holiday-table mac and cheese

Macaroni baked in a rich egg-and-milk custard with sharp cheddar — Southern baked mac and cheese, golden and set.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the macaroni 2 minutes less than the package directs. Drain.
  3. Whisk the eggs, evaporated milk, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  4. Layer half the macaroni in the dish, top with half the cheese, then the rest of the macaroni and cheese. Pour the custard over everything.
  5. Dot with butter and sprinkle with paprika. Bake 30-35 minutes until golden and set. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

💡 Chef tips & storage

This version is a custard bake, not a creamy stovetop mac — don't overcook the pasta since it finishes in the oven. Let it rest 10 minutes before serving so it sets.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook35 min
Servings8
CategoryDeep South Kitchen
PublishedAugust 16, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →