Creamy White Cheddar Southern Mac and Cheese 🧀

This White Cheddar Southern Mac and Cheese is rich, creamy, cheesy, and baked until golden and bubbly. Sharp white cheddar, Monterey Jack, and creamy evaporated milk give this Southern-style macaroni and cheese a smooth, decadent texture with plenty of cheese in every bite.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Yield: One 9×13-inch baking dish
Course: Side Dish, Main Dish
Cuisine: Southern American
Cooking Method: Oven-Baked
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

Macaroni

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water

Cheese Sauce

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground mustard
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste

Cheese

• 4 cups freshly shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, divided
• 2 cups freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
• ½ cup sour cream

For the Top

• Reserved shredded cheese
• 2 tablespoons melted butter, optional

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).

Lightly butter or grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the Macaroni

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Add the elbow macaroni and cook it about 1–2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente.

The pasta will continue cooking in the oven, so don't overcook it.

Drain and set aside.

3. Make the Cheese Sauce

Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Add the flour and whisk continuously for approximately 1 minute.

Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking.

Add the evaporated milk and continue whisking until smooth.

Cook for approximately 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins to thicken.

4. Season

Reduce the heat to low.

Add the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground mustard, black pepper, and salt.

Stir until combined.

5. Add the Cheese

Reserve approximately 2 cups of the shredded cheese mixture for layering and topping.

Gradually add the remaining white cheddar and Monterey Jack to the sauce, stirring over low heat until melted and smooth.

Remove the sauce from the heat.

Stir in the sour cream.

6. Combine With the Macaroni

Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce.

Gently stir until every piece of pasta is completely coated.

7. Layer the Mac and Cheese

Pour half of the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle approximately 1 cup of the reserved cheese over the macaroni.

Add the remaining macaroni mixture.

Finish with the remaining shredded cheese over the top.

For an extra-rich finish, drizzle approximately 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the top.

8. Bake

Bake uncovered at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling.

9. Broil for a Golden Top

For those beautiful golden cheese spots, broil for approximately 1–2 minutes at the end.

Watch carefully so the cheese doesn't burn.

10. Rest and Serve

Remove the mac and cheese from the oven and let it rest for approximately 10 minutes.

This helps the creamy cheese sauce settle while keeping the inside soft and cheesy.

Scoop onto plates and serve warm.

🧀 Tips for Creamy Southern Mac and Cheese

Shred your own cheese: Block cheese generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking ingredients.

Use sharp white cheddar: It gives the mac and cheese a stronger cheese flavor while maintaining the creamy white appearance.

Don't overcook the pasta: Slightly undercooking the macaroni prevents it from becoming mushy while baking.

Keep the heat low when adding cheese: High heat can cause cheese sauce to become grainy or separate.

Don't overbake: You want the center creamy rather than dry.

🍗 What to Serve With White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

This is perfect alongside:

• Southern fried chicken
• Baked chicken
• BBQ ribs
• Meatloaf
• Pulled pork
• Collard greens
• Green beans
• Cornbread
• Fried fish
• Turkey and dressing

It's also a great choice for Sunday dinner, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, cookouts, and family gatherings.

Easy Variations

Extra-Cheesy Mac and Cheese

Add another cup of white cheddar or Monterey Jack between the layers.

White Cheddar Bacon Mac

Mix in cooked, crumbled bacon before baking.

Spicy White Cheddar Mac

Add cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the cheese sauce.

Five-Cheese Version

Use a combination of white cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Gruyère, and Parmesan.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Reheating

Add a small splash of milk before reheating to help restore the creamy texture.

Cover and reheat in the oven at 325°F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this Southern-style mac and cheese?

This version uses a rich combination of cheese, whole milk, evaporated milk, butter, seasonings, and layered cheese before baking, creating the hearty baked style commonly associated with Southern mac and cheese.

Why use evaporated milk?

Evaporated milk adds richness and helps create a creamy cheese sauce without adding as much water as regular milk.

Can I use regular cheddar?

Absolutely. Yellow sharp cheddar can replace white cheddar without significantly changing the recipe, although the finished mac and cheese will have a more traditional yellow-orange color.

Can I prepare it ahead?

Yes. Assemble the mac and cheese, cover it, and refrigerate before baking. When ready, allow the dish to sit at room temperature briefly while the oven preheats, then bake until hot and bubbling.

Nutrition Information

Approximate per serving:

• Calories: 650
• Protein: 29g
• Carbohydrates: 51g
• Fat: 37g
• Saturated Fat: 23g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 780mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and varies depending on the ingredients and brands used.

Recipe Keywords

White Cheddar Southern Mac and Cheese, Southern Mac and Cheese, Baked Mac and Cheese, White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, Creamy Mac and Cheese, Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Soul Food Mac and Cheese, Homemade Mac and Cheese, Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese

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