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

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 ...

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s new single, “Love Somebody,” has arrived, and it’s not just another love song—it’s an honest look at the complicated, often bumpy road to finding real connection. After years ...

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen’s career continues to reach impressive heights with his latest achievement. This historic milestone solidifies his place among country music’s most celebrated figures. His new single, “Love Somebody,” has ...

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Country music star Jelly Roll recently shared an emotional video on social media, revealing his purchase of a sprawling 500-acre plot of land. The video, filled with raw emotion and ...

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 Worth of Musical Instruments to Students Across the Nation

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 Worth of Musical Instruments to Students Across the Nation

Country music superstar Morgan Wallen isn’t just wowing crowds on his One Night at a Time tour; he’s also rocking the world of music education. Through his Morgan Wallen Foundation, ...

Luke Combs and Eric Church's Concert Raises $24M for Hurricane Helene Victims

Luke Combs and Eric Church’s Concert Raises $24M for Hurricane Helene Victims

Country music superstars Luke Combs and Eric Church united for a powerful cause, headlining the “Concert for Carolina” to benefit victims of Hurricane Helene. The star-studded event, held at Bank ...