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Southern Macaroni and Cheese

This Southern Macaroni and Cheese Recipe is a rich, creamy baked mac and cheese with a crunchy topping. It's a heirloom family recipe and a favorite comfort food loved for generations! Make-ahead and freezer-friendly!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 331 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 1 (8-ounce) package Elbow Noodles cooked and drained
  • 1 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 2 cups cream of chicken soup or 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of chicken soup + 10 3/4 ounces of water
  • 3 3 heaping tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 3/4 3/4 cup pimento pepper chopped (large jar)
  • 1 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crumbled
  • 4 4 tablespoons butter melted

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
  2. Mix the cooked noodles, cheese, cream of chicken soup (and water if using store-bought), mayonnaise, and pimentos together in a large bowl. Spread into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix Ritz Crackers and melted butter until thoroughly blended. Sprinkle crackers on top of casserole.
  4. Bake at 350º F degrees until the cheese has melted and the top is golden brown, 30 minutes.

Notes

  • If using homemade cream of chicken soup, do not add water. If using store-bought cream of chicken soup, do add the water.
  • do not
  • To store. Allow the mac and cheese to cool completely. Cover well with wrap or place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed throughout.
  • To freeze. Let the macaroni and cheese cool completely. Cover well with freezer wrap or place in an airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed throughout, and the cheese is melty.
  • Prep the dish (minus the buttery cracker topping) without baking and place it into an airtight container, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, top with the cracker topping and bake as directed.
  • To freeze the make-ahead mac and cheese, prep without baking (minus the cracker topping) and place into airtight freezer-safe containers. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then top with cracker topping and bake as directed.
  • Make-Ahead:Prepare Southern Macaroni and Cheese recipe without baking and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bake as directed for serving.
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Nutrition Information

Serving 0.5cup Calories 331kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 12g (24%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Cholesterol 50mg (17%) Sodium 673mg (28%) Potassium 129mg (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 575IU (12%) Vitamin C 0.3mg (0%) Calcium 221mg (22%) Iron 1.2mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 331

% Daily Value*

Serving 0.5cup
Calories 331kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 12g 24%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 50mg 17%
Sodium 673mg 28%
Potassium 129mg 3%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 575IU 12%
Vitamin C 0.3mg 0%
Calcium 221mg 22%
Iron 1.2mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.