Southern Mac and Cheese Baked
This 20-minute baked southern mac and cheese is the best because there are only 4 simple ingredients. Elbow macaroni, shredded cheese, milk, and butter. No flour, roux, or egg required!
This no-fuss mac and cheese is perfect for a quick side dish. It’s far from fancy but it doesn’t have to be fancy to be delicious!
Only 4 simple steps. Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the best! That’s my southern wisdom 😁
Mac and cheese goes with just about anything from hamburgers to seafood to baked or grilled chicken and steak. Give a try with my Mexican Marinated Chicken.
Why We Love This Recipe
Simplicity. What I really love about this creamy southern mac & cheese is the simplicity of it. Homemade goodness with real ingredients! Nothing artificial and so much better than the boxed version. My southern grandies choose homemade over the boxed brand any day! If easy comfort food is your thing, check out my Country Style Steak served over rice!
Virtually no prep involved other than cooking the macaroni. Simply add butter, milk, and cheese to the cooked macaroni. Heat for a few minutes to get it bubbly hot.
Just 4 basic ingredients are needed. Six if you count any salt and pepper you may add. Some macaroni and cheese recipes call for flour, however, no flour is needed for this one! No roux makes this recipe the easiest!
This recipe makes about 6 servings. I consider it a small batch. However, this recipe can easily be doubled for a larger crowd. It’s the perfect side dish for any occasion such as a holiday, cookout, or office party.
What to Serve with Mac and Cheese
This is one of my favorite pasta side dishes because it goes with almost everything. I love an easy side dish especially when your main dish may be more involved. Plus, it’s just easier to make and take a side dish like this to something like a potluck or party.
Mac and cheese can be served with chicken or steak; fish or pork; hot dogs and hamburgers! Serve with my juicy and delicious New York Strip steak recipe!
There are a ton of different macaroni and cheese dishes out there! You can find a recipe for it in just about every cookbook ever printed. Some are baked and some are cooked on the stove. Some dishes even have different toppings (discussed below).
However, the one thing every recipe has in common is this: comfort food! Serving macaroni & cheese for the holidays is a southern tradition!
What Goes Into This Recipe
Elbow macaroni, shredded cheddar cheese (or sharp cheddar cheese), real butter, and whole milk. That’s it! Simple mac and cheese recipe without flour creates a smooth, creamy texture.
This is one of my favorite pasta side dishes because it goes with almost everything. I love an easy side dish especially when your main dish may be more involved. Plus, it’s just easier to make and take a side dish like this to something like a potluck or party.
Mac and cheese can be served with chicken or steak; fish or pork; hot dogs and hamburgers! Serve with my juicy and delicious New York Strip steak recipe!
There are a ton of different macaroni and cheese dishes out there! You can find a recipe for it in just about every cookbook ever printed. Some are baked and some are cooked on the stove. Some dishes even have different toppings (discussed below).
However, the one thing every recipe has in common is this: comfort food! Serving macaroni & cheese for the holidays is a southern tradition!
What Goes Into This Recipe
Elbow macaroni, shredded cheddar cheese (or sharp cheddar cheese), real butter, and whole milk. That’s it! Simple mac and cheese recipe without flour creates a smooth, creamy texture.
Pasta: Elbow macaroni seems to be the traditional choice for macaroni and cheese, but you can choose your favorite – sometimes, I use shells.
Cheese: I highly recommend grating your own cheese. The pre-shredded cheese has a powdery coating that could result in a grainy texture. I highly recommend sharp cheddar cheese for maximum flavor.
Milk and Butter: Whole milk is best. You can even go so far as to use half and half for even more richness! As far as the butter, use the real thing!
