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Southern soul food baked mac and cheese—the Black folks’ way!

Mac and cheese is one of my favorite Southern comfort soul foods and a favorite of many households.

Southern mac and cheese has a rich African American history. It’s one of the recipes that’s shaped American food culture, and its taste is unmatched!

Black Folks Southern Baked Mac And Cheese

What is Black Folks mac and cheese?

There are many variations of the classic dish macaroni and cheese. One such variation is Southern baked mac and cheese—the soul food way!

This recipe is made with rich, creamy cheese sauce and Southern comfort soul food flavorings baked ’til the edges are crispy and browned to taste like someone stewed over it in the kitchen all day!

Black Southern mac and cheese became “a celebratory dish, a convenient comfort food, and a meal stretcher for families.” We recognize this dish today as soul food!

Who invented macaroni and cheese?

Known initially as macaroni pie, mac and cheese was created by James Hemings, an African American enslaved person trained as a culinary chef in France.

James Hemings was a highly trained chef known to many modern-day cooks and culinary historians.

James Hemings, a notable African American chef, left an indelible mark on American cuisine. His invention of macaroni and cheese, a dish beloved by many, is a testament to his culinary genius and the rich heritage of American food.

What cheese is best for baked mac and cheese recipe?

Ingredients

The ingredients are key to this classic soul food recipe for Black folks’ mac and cheese. The magic lies in the perfect combination of seasonings, macaroni, and cheese. A delightful dish comes together as the heavy cream and cheese blend and layer with the pasta. These elements create a dish that feels like a warm, comforting embrace!

Measurements for the recipe can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Water – Offers the necessary liquidity, ensuring the pasta cooks to just the right texture.
Milk – Coats the macaroni while boiling and gives it a smooth, silky texture, perfect for layering on cheese. Whole milk is the best option for this baked mac and cheese recipe as it’s the creamiest, but you can use other milk substitutes without issue.
Butter, flour, and milk – Combined, these ingredients create a roux for the base that thickens the dish.
Heavy cream – The necessary thickener and liquidity to create a homemade cheese sauce when combined with the shredded cheese.
Sharp cheddar and Colby-Jack cheese – First things first, soul food mac and cheese must include sharp cheddar cheese. The cheese is the backbone of this comfort dish, adding depth and creaminess, making it rich and flavorful.
Macaroni noodles – These are the sturdy vessels for the cheese blend.
Salt and black pepper – Lay the seasoning groundwork, enhancing the natural flavors of the cheese blend.
Garlic powder and onion powder – Introduce a subtle, flavorful depth, a nod to the complexity of soul food.
Ground mustard powder – Adds a tangy kick, which cuts through the richness.
Paprika – This seasoning brings a gentle, flavorful warmth to the dish.

How to make Black people mac and cheese

Prepare the perfect Black folks’ baked mac and cheese using soul food seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic, onion, paprika, and a mix of cheeses, including sharp cheddar cheese. Bake until creamy on top and golden brown on the edges!

Step-by-step instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

In a large pot, bring to a boil milk, water, and butter over medium-high heat. You can add a drizzle of olive oil to prevent the noodles from sticking.
Add the macaroni once the liquid is boiling.
Drain the cooked macaroni in a colander and set it aside.
Melt the butter and whisk in the flour, milk, and seasonings to create a flavorful roux.
Stir in the cheese to create a cheese sauce.
Cook on low for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and blended.
Add the cooked macaroni pasta and heavy cream to the pot to make the cheese sauce creamy, stirring to blend evenly.
Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a shallow baking dish, such as an 8-inch baking pan or 8-inch cast iron skillet.
Bake until golden and bubbly, with caramelized and browned edges.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

🎙Join the conversation about Black Southern mac and cheese on The Soul Food Pod!

How to keep mac and cheese creamy

There are multiple ways to ensure a creamy mac and cheese. One method is to cook the noodles in milk instead of water. Then, add heavy whipping cream to create a creamier cheese sauce.

How to thicken macaroni and cheese

After cooking the pasta and melting the butter in the pot, add the flour, milk, and seasonings and whisk until smooth. Allow the ingredients to simmer for a few minutes, and the flour will thicken the mixture. Due to milk’s higher fat content than plain water, the resulting mixture called a roux, will give the dish a creamier texture.

Should you cover baked mac and cheese when cooking?

It’s unnecessary to cover Black folks’ baked macaroni and cheese as caramelized edges are desired from direct oven heat!

Recipe variations

For a taste of tradition and warmth, I’ve emphasized how important each ingredient is to the soulful blend of Black people’s mac and cheese. The creative freedom to adjust the cheese blend, change the cooking method, or add a protein allows you to customize this classic soulful dish to suit any taste. This ensures that the creamy mac and cheese legacy lives on, staying true to its roots yet open to personalization.

Make ahead tips

Yes, you can make this recipe a day in advance for convenience. Here are some tips for preparing ahead of time:

Cook the macaroni and cheese and place it in a baking dish after it’s cooled completely. Do not bake. Instead, place the dish in an airtight container or tightly seal and refrigerate.
When ready to cook, remove the dish from the fridge and sit on the countertop for 30 minutes before baking.
Bake at the recipe temperature (350 degrees F) for 20 minutes until hot, bubbly, and has caramelized and browned edges.

What to serve with soul food baked mac and cheese?

What to serve with mac and cheese

Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or as a side dish. Hence, the question is, what goes with mac and cheese?

If you’re wondering what to serve with mac and cheese, here are some great Southern soul food ideas that pair well with baked mac and cheese: Fried chicken, Southern-style whole chicken, a Southern cabbage recipe, soul food candied yams, and soul food collard greens. These dishes are popular African American soul food dinner favorites.

Best toppings for soul food mac and cheese

Note: This recipe needs no help, and Black people do not traditionally add toppings to their baked mac and cheese.

Southern Baked Mac And Cheese The Black Way

But some folks love to add toppings to any dish, so here are a few Southern mac and cheese topping favorites. The options for macaroni and cheese toppings are endless. From crunchy to creamy, spicy to sweet, there’s a topping for everyone!

Take a look at some mac and cheese topping favorites.

Bacon bits – Bacon adds a flavorful protein bite. Although bacon is not needed for this recipe, it makes everything better!
Panko bread crumbs – This is a Southern topping, not part of an African American baked mac and cheese recipe! While breadcrumbs don’t add flavor, they add texture and a crunchy bite.
Diced bell peppers – If you like things zesty, this will be your favorite way to add some zing to your baked mac and cheese recipe.
Chopped jalapeno peppers – Because some like it hot!
Shredded parmesan cheese – Adds a flavorful, salty cheese topping.
Sour cream – It’s a light, cool, creamy topping for texture variation.