Southern 3-Ingredient Baked Mac and Cheese

Southern 3-Ingredient Baked Mac and Cheese

This Southern 3-Ingredient Baked Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy, and incredibly easy to make. With just pasta, milk, and sharp cheddar cheese, you can create a comforting homemade casserole that’s perfect for family dinners, holidays, potlucks, or busy weeknights.

Everything bakes together in one dish, creating tender macaroni with a rich, golden cheesy topping.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Elbow macaroni	16 oz (1 lb)	Uncooked
Whole milk	6 cups	Creates creamy texture
Sharp cheddar cheese	6 cups (1½ lbs)	Shredded and divided

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.

Step 2: Add Pasta and Cheese

Spread the uncooked macaroni evenly into the baking dish. Sprinkle 4 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta.

Step 3: Pour in the Milk

Slowly pour the milk evenly over the pasta and cheese. Press down gently with a spoon to help moisten the noodles.

Step 4: Mix Lightly

Stir gently just enough to combine the ingredients while keeping everything mostly in an even layer.

Step 5: Bake Covered

Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes, until the pasta is tender and the mixture is bubbling.

Step 6: Add Remaining Cheese

Remove the foil and stir gently. Smooth the mixture evenly, then sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of cheddar cheese over the top.

Step 7: Bake Uncovered

Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, golden, and lightly crisp around the edges.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Let the mac and cheese rest for 10 minutes before serving so it thickens slightly.

Optional Add-Ins

• Black pepper
• Butter
• Cooked bacon
• Paprika
• Breadcrumb topping

Serve warm as a main dish or alongside fried chicken, meatloaf, ham, or roasted vegetables.