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!
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.
Quick Look: Easy Simple Mac and Cheese
- ⏲️Ready in: 20 minutes
- 👪Serves: 4-6
- 🥘Key Ingredients: Macaroni, cheese, butter, milk
- 🍳Method: Stovetop then oven
- ⭐Difficulty: Easy
- 👩🍳 Flavor Profile: Mild, creamy, and classic. A simple homemade mac and cheese with plenty of room to build extra flavor.
Summarize & Save this content on:
Only 4 simple steps. Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the best! That's my southern wisdom 😁
Jump to:
- Quick Look: Easy Simple Mac and Cheese
- Why We Love It
- What to Serve with Mac and Cheese
- Southern Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- Tips and Substitutions
- How to Make Simple Baked Mac and Cheese
- Anne's Expert Tips
- How to Avoid Grainy Mac and Cheese
- How to Keep it Fresh
- Simple Mac and Cheese FAQs
- Easy Pasta Recipes You'll Love
- Recipe
- Comments
Why We Love It
- 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. Pair it with Easy Ritz Cracker Meatloaf or Oven Baked Lemon Dill Salmon.
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!
Southern Mac and Cheese Ingredients
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!
Tips and Substitutions
- Instead of elbow macaroni, use shells, bow tie, or penne.
- Instead of yellow cheddar cheese, use white cheddar, American cheese, or Velveeta cheese.
- Sprinkle with a little cayenne pepper for an amazing kick.
- Top off your mac and cheese with ketchup! Yes, ketchup!
- Other topping ideas may include cooked chopped bacon or panko bread crumbs.
- Any other suggestions? Let me know!
How to Make Simple Baked Mac and Cheese
While this recipe is incredibly easy to make, you must EXACTLY follow the instructions or you'll end up with a goopy mess.
Step 1. It's very important to cook pasta al dente and drain.
Step 2. Return pasta to the pot. Add room temperature butter and milk.
Step 3. Add half the cheese to the hot cooked pasta. Gently stir - do not over stir.
Step 4. Pour into a baking dish, top with remaining cheese, do not stir, and bake.
Step 5. Remove the mac and cheese from the oven. Stir very gently to distribute the cheese. Let the it rest for a few minutes. That's it!
Try my Best Southern Meatloaf! It goes FANTASTIC with this easy peasy macaroni cheese recipe!
Anne's Expert Tips
For the best flavor and texture, please follow the recipe exactly as written! No shortcuts or following what you've done for other mac and cheese recipes. Avoid the temptation!
Taste test. Taste test. Taste test. The flavor of this macaroni and cheese depends on you! This is a basic recipe, but you must taste test before and after you make the it, and make adjustments accordingly.
How to Avoid Grainy Mac and Cheese
- The best way to avoid grainy mac and cheese is to not use pre-shredded cheese. Buy a block of quality cheddar cheese and get yourself a cheese grater!
- Cook the macaroni al dente.
- Let the milk and butter come to room temperature before using them in the recipe.
- Do not over stir!
How to Keep it Fresh
Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I prefer to use BPA-free glass containers with locking lids. Check out this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids from Bayco, available now on Amazon. To reheat, add a small amount of milk (about ¼ cup) to the cold mac & cheese, stir, and heat in the microwave.
Simple Mac and Cheese FAQs
Sausage is a great main entree to serve with mac and cheese. Try my easy Brats in the Oven recipe. Delicious and super easy sheet pan recipe!
Simply add a little bit more milk to the mac and cheese if it's not creamy enough for you. When re-heating it, you may need to add a small amount of milk (¼ cup at a time) to get your preferred consistency.
Yes, and it's easy to do! Once completely cooled off, place it in a freezer-safe container, write the date on it, and it will keep fresh for up to 3 months. Tip: wrap the freezer-safe container in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn or ice crystals.
When ready to eat, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the microwave. you may need to add a small amount of milk (¼ cup at a time) to get your preferred consistency.
Easy Pasta Recipes You'll Love
If you made this deliciously easy mac and cheese, please be sure to rate and review it below. I love hearing about your kitchen adventures! We can also be social if you like! I'm on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
If you'd like more simple and easy recipe inspiration delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for my email newsletter.
Recipe
Easy Southern Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- large pot
- pasta colander
- measuring cup(s)
- measuring spoons
- 2-qt casserole dish
Ingredients
- 2-¼ cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature (slightly softened) Let the butter sit on your countertop for about 15 minutes before using it.
- ¾ cup whole milk, room temperature (or half and half, or evaporated milk) Measure the milk then let it sit on the countertop for about 15 minutes before using it.
- 3 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided) one 8-oz block of sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ tablespoon sea salt for boiling the pasta, if desired
- ½ teaspoon sea salt for flavoring the mac and cheese, if desired
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Important: As noted in the ingredients, the butter and milk must be room temperature. Grate your own cheese. The pasta must be cooked al dente. Please follow the directions exactly or the mac and cheese texture will not be right!
- In a large pot (at least a 3-quart pot), filled one-half to three-fourths full with water, add ½ tablespoon of sea salt. Cook the macaroni al dente according to the package directions. Drain the pasta in a colander, turn off the stove, and return the cooked pasta to the pot.½ tablespoon sea salt, 2-¼ cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- Add the butter to the hot pasta and stir until butter is melted (do not over stir). Then add the milk.4 tablespoons butter, room temperature (slightly softened), ¾ cup whole milk, room temperature (or half and half, or evaporated milk)
- Add ½ teaspoon of sea salt, the black pepper, and 1-½ cups of the freshly grated cheese to the pasta mixture. Lightly toss to combine the pasta, cheese, and seasonings (do not overmix! there is no need to stir until the cheese is melted - you're only stirring until the cheese is mixed in). Taste test for flavor. Add more seasoning if desired.½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 3 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
- Pour the mac and cheese into a 2-quart casserole dish, and sprinkle with the remaining cheese (do not stir). Bake uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and gently stir the mac and cheese. I find that if you let the mac and cheese rest for a few minutes in the casserole dish before serving it, the cheese isn't quite so stringy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
Kevin says
This was a great base for me to turn out the most amazing Mac and Cheese ever! I used an entire box of elbow, two cans of evaporated milk. 8 ounces of Vermont extra sharp cheddar, 8 ounces of gruyere, half a block of Velveeta cheese, and a few hands-full of grated parmesan. Garlic powder and onion powder and ground pepper to taste. AMAZING! My four grandsons devoured it and asked me to make it again tomorrow.
Anne Clark says
Wow Kevin! Your version sounds divine. I love it when someone can take a recipe and make it their own. I will have to try your version for my grandkids!
Amy says
Was looking for a basic Mac and cheese using real ingredients and chose this one. Good choice! Will need to do it again to practice as I don't think I got it quite right! I added pepperoni wanting to replace that recipe. Many thanks for sharing this and the tips to go with it!
Anne Clark says
Thank you, Amy, for letting me know how the recipe turned out for you; I really appreciate you doing that. Pepperoni is a very interesting addition and sounds delicious. Also, thank you for the 5 stars!
Elaine Steyn says
Lovely recipe! I used 3 cups of macaroni. Added a bit more milk, some fried and shredded bacon, layered it woth tomato slices between layers and on top. Topped if with cheese and some bread crumbs. I used it as a main course for 4 people. We all absolutely loved this. Closest recipe to my Moms mac and cheese. Thank you so much!
Anne Clark says
Wow, Elaine! You really made this recipe your own and I want to try your version one day soon -- sounds delicious! I'm so happy it brings back such sweet memories of your mom. Thank you so much for your sweet comment and for the 5 stars.
JoKer says
Hi, I was looking for a quick and simple mac and cheese (the kind for a craving. Right now!) I stumbled across your recipe, but did not bake, so I omitted that part of the cheese. I agree with your comment about adding your ingredients to your own tastes. It was delicious as it is, but I added a little garlic powder, onion powder and some chili powder along with the salt and pepper! Chef's kiss! Thank you for sharing this deliciousness.
Anne Clark says
Woohoo, JoKer! I'm super happy you enjoyed the mac and cheese! I love how you "made it your own" by adding extra seasonings and that it turned out great even without baking it and adding less cheese (that's all great information to know and helpful to others). Chef's kiss right back at you! Again, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!