Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

10 Best Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipes You Should Try

Baked Mac and Cheese Recipes
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese recipes will take your usual recipe to a mouthwatering, flavorful pasta dish. As we all know, Southerners really know how to get food done and not just with a punch of flavors but also with soul. And you can never desecrate their holy gooey and cheesy staple, especially during cookouts and celebrations. 

So we’re delivering their 10 best versions of their baked mac and cheese so you can experiment which one really suits your taste buds. Go ahead and jump to our list. And if you like it, you can also explore more Southern recipes we have featured! 

1. Best-Ever Baked Mac and Cheese

Best-Ever Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

It’s hard to argue which Southern Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is the best. But this recipe boasts its Southern flair with its secret cubes of cheese melted as the pasta bakes resulting into pockets of cheesy gooeyness. With added yellow onion and freshly-grated nutmeg, this recipe is truly a hit.

GET THE RECIPE HERE

2. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese by Eden

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese by Eden Recipe

Baked mac and cheese is serious business down in the South and especially in the Black culture. And their classic recipe, which stands out from the rest, is basically made from scratch. Eden from Sweet Tea + Thyme and a classically trained food recipe developer shared the secrets to achieve it: elbow macaroni only and at least three cheeses (and five in her recipe). 

GET THE RECIPE HERE

3. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese by Millie Peartree

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese by Millie Peartree Recipe

Another hot and cheesy take on the Southern baked mac and cheese is shared by Millie Peartree. For her recipe, the main takeaways are to make your pasta al dente, layer it like lasagna, and make custard for that extra creamy flavor. It’s easy and delicious that will guarantee second servings. 

GET THE RECIPE HERE

4. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese by Nikki Scott

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese by Nikki Scott Recipe

Nikki Scott from the Food Network Kitchen baked mac and cheese recipe involves a whole lot of goodness with three different cheeses and steering away from the familiar stovetop mac n’ cheese. This one is baked like a casserole with a crispy, golden top added with savory custard. 

GET THE RECIPE HERE

5. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese by Imma

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese by Imma Recipe

Sharp cheddar and creole seasoning are the two main secrets of the cheesy Southern Baked Mac and Cheese recipe of Imma of Immaculate Bites. Expert in making Southern flavors with a twist, this recipe will definitely indulge your taste buds.

GET THE RECIPE HERE


Cookbook Recipe

6. Extra Cheesy Mac and Cheese

Extra Cheesy Mac and Cheese Recipe

If you’re asking if mac and cheese can get any cheesier, the answer is yes, and it’s mouthwatering good. For this recipe, the sharpest white cheddar combined with cream-based sauce with dry mustard, nutmeg, and hot sauce perfectly cuts the richness of the cheese. 

GET THE RECIPE HERE

7. Creamy Low Sodium Mac and Cheese

Creamy Low Sodium Mac and Cheese Recipe

For those who love mac and cheese but are trying to live a healthy lifestyle without cheats, then this creamy low sodium version by Sara Mellas is perfect. It’s light on sodium, but you definitely won’t know that while eating because it’s still flavorful. 

GET THE RECIPE HERE

8. Truffled Mac and Cheese

Truffled Mac and Cheese Recipe

An elite version of the mac and cheese, this recipe is not easy to replicate with usual ingredients in the kitchen. Not unless there’s truffle oil and a 10-year aged white cheddar cheese casually sitting there. But this twist on the Southern classic is definitely worth a trip to an upscale grocery.

GET THE RECIPE HERE

9. Pimento Cheese Noodle Kugel

Pimento Cheese Noodle Kugel Recipe

Pimento Cheese is one of the popular Southern staples and a superior kind of pimento. For this recipe, mac and cheese (or kugel which is a traditional Jewish baked noodle dish) gets a twist with added pimento bringing more brightness and acidity to the flavors. 

GET THE RECIPE HERE

10. Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole

Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole Recipe

This might be the tastiest version on the list of Southern Baked Mac and Cheese recipes with cream of mushroom and the added ground beef and Monterey Jack cheese. And the ketchup, onion, steak sauce, and diced tomatoes totally add to the flair. If you’re craving some tasty casserole of mac and cheese, then you should try this.

GET THE RECIPE HERE


Cookbook Recipe

Latest Stories

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt "Always On My Mind" Cover

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt “Always On My Mind” Cover

In 2013, Lukas Nelson proved that talent truly runs in the family when he delivered a moving rendition of his father Willie Nelson’s classic hit, “Always On My Mind.” Performed ...

Alan Jackson and George Strait's "Murder on Music Row" Honors True Country

Alan Jackson and George Strait’s “Murder on Music Row” Honors True Country

When George Strait and Alan Jackson came together to perform “Murder on Music Row,” it wasn’t just another duet—it was a moment that sent ripples through country music history. These ...

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for "He Stopped Loving Her Today"

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for “He Stopped Loving Her Today”

In October 2010, the Country Music Hall of Fame became the setting for a moment of country music magic. Three legendary artists—Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban—joined forces for ...

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind"

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare songs that seems to transcend time, weaving its way into the hearts of listeners for decades. Covering such an ...

Garth Brooks' Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

In 2021, Allie Colleen, the youngest daughter of country legend Garth Brooks, proved that musical talent runs in the family. With her single “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised),” ...

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton's "Does He Love You" Is the Collaboration We've Been Waiting For

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton’s “Does He Love You” Is the Collaboration We’ve Been Waiting For

When Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton team up, it feels like the stars have aligned over Nashville. These two queens of country music, with careers that have shaped the genre ...

Ben Haggard's "As Haggard as They Come" Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

Ben Haggard’s “As Haggard as They Come” Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

In 2019, Ben Haggard delivered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that felt like a love letter to his roots and a bold step toward his future. His song, ...

Mo Pitney's "Borrowed Angel" Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

Mo Pitney’s “Borrowed Angel” Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

In a time when country-pop dominates the charts, Mo Pitney stands out as a refreshing reminder of what makes traditional country music timeless. In an episode of Country Road TV ...

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...