Southern Style Mac and Cheese (with Egg)

Southern Mac and Cheese recipe by Mr. Make It Happen

5 from 1 vote

Southern Style Mac and Cheese (with Egg)

This Ultra Creamy Southern-Style Baked Mac & Cheese is comfort food at its finest — rich, cheesy, and baked to custard-like perfection. Made with a creamy blend of cheddar, mozzarella, smoked gouda, and a touch of cream cheese, this recipe is the definition of soul food magic.

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Course: Appetizer, Comfort Food, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Author: Matt Price

Equipment

Large Saucepan
Mixing Bowl
Whisk
9 X 13- inch Baking Dish
Wooden Spoon or Spatula

Ingredients

1 lb cavatappi pasta
4 tablespoon butter
2 cups half & half
4 oz cream cheese
1 egg
4-5 cups shredded cheese blend mozzarella, cheddar, colby-jack, smoked gouda
½ cup grated Parmesan
AP seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, buttery garlic pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 1 lb of cavatappi pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside — it’ll continue cooking in the oven.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoon butter.
Whisk in 4 oz cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
Slowly pour in 2 cups half & half, whisking constantly until smooth.
Add half of your shredded cheese blend (about 2–2½ cups), one handful at a time, stirring until melted and velvety.
Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
Lower the heat — you don’t want greasy mac, so avoid overheating your sauce.
At this point, your kitchen should smell amazing — buttery, smoky, and cheesy all at once.

Step 3: The Key Technique- Tempering the Egg

Tempering is the trick that ensures your egg doesn’t scramble when added to the hot cheese sauce. Here’s how to do it:
Beat 1 egg in a small bowl.
Slowly whisk in 2–3 spoonfuls of warm cheese sauce to bring it up to temperature.
This method keeps your mac & cheese creamy and custard-like without a single scrambled egg bit.

Step 4: Combine Pasta, Sauce & Egg

In a large mixing bowl, combine your cooked pasta and the cheese sauce.
Stir the tempered egg mixture back into the mac & cheese until evenly coated.
This step creates that creamy, sliceable texture that defines traditional Southern mac.

Step 5: Layer & Top

Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Pour in half of the mac mixture, then sprinkle a generous layer of the remaining cheese blend.
Add the rest of the mac and top with the remaining cheese.
(Pro tip: Colby-Jack is my favorite topping cheese — it melts beautifully and gives a golden finish.)

Step 6: Bake It to Golden Perfection

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, until the top is bubbly and lightly golden.
Let rest 10 minutes before serving — this helps it set into that perfect creamy-but-sliceable texture.

Notes

Tips for the Best Southern Mac & Cheese

Freshly shred your cheese — bagged cheese has anti-caking agents that affect melting.
Don’t skip the egg — it creates that signature Southern-style structure.'
Use full-fat dairy — it’s essential for creaminess.
Let it rest before serving — this step is key to the texture.

Optional Add-Ins

Customize your mac with any of these mix-ins for a fun twist:

Smoked paprika or cayenne for extra heat
Crispy bacon for crunch
Jalapeños for spice
A garlic-butter Ritz cracker topping for a Southern twist
A drizzle of hot sauce for kick

Make-Ahead & Storage

Make-Ahead: Assemble the mac and refrigerate (covered) for up to 24 hours before baking.
Freeze: Store leftovers up to 2 months in an airtight container.
Reheat: Warm gently at 325°F covered, or in a skillet with a splash of milk to revive the creaminess.

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