A classic soul food mac and cheese recipe, originally shared by John Legend when he visited Martha Stewart. Creamy and delicious, this recipe is a winner.
Ask any Southerner for their favorite BBQ side dish and they’re bound to tell you mac & cheese!
Let’s be honest, what isn’t there to like about mac & cheese? A combination of velvety smooth cheese and tender pasta – baked to bubbling perfection – has got to be the ultimate comfort food!
Everyone has their own secret mac & cheese recipe and here we share the musician John Legend’s, as revealed to Martha Stewart on her show.
Mac and cheese is versatile
Soul food mac and cheese allows you to get creative and add in some fun flavors that you don’t find in more traditional recipes.
But the first thing you need to determine is your cheese blend – this is the key to a great dish!
Many people make the mistake of only using one cheese type, but a blend creates a range of flavors that make for a rich, decadent sauce.
This soul food mac and cheese recipe calls for extra sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack, but you can get more creative than that if you would like. Why not try some of our other favorites:
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Gouda: melts perfectly and adds a sharp, yet rounded taste
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Gruyere: melts into velvety goodness, and while on the saltier side, offers nutty notes (We also use this in our favorite crispy mac & cheese recipe!)
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Cream cheese: melts wonderfully
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Brie: rich and creamy, Brie adds a decadent touch
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Goat cheese: adds a tangy yet creamy flavor
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Parmesan: salty and nutty, adding a depth of flavor
Avoid buying pre-shredded cheeses as they tend to contain a preservative which keeps them from clumping. This means they don’t melt as well and up being lumpy and gritty instead!
And while elbow macaroni is traditional, don’t be afraid to venture out and try other types of pasta.
Tip: Love this recipe? Check out more of our Southern food recipes and our favorite Southern Thanksgiving dishes! And don’t forget to explore ideas for what to serve with mac & cheese.
You will always want to look for pasta that has a large surface area and nooks and crannies for that lovely sauce to get into.
Why not try:
- Conchiglie (shells)
- Ziti
- Fusili (corkscrew)
Avoid long, thin pastas like angel hair, spaghetti and linguine as they will not hold so much of your lovely sauce.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes
Still craving more mac? Start here:
- Instant Pot Panera Mac & Cheese
- Barefoot Contessa Mac & Cheese
- Lobster Mac & Cheese
- Gluten Free Mac & Cheese
- Air Fryer Mac & Cheese
Explore all of our essential Thanksgiving sides and appetizers.
Soul Food Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter plus more for baking dish
- 1 pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cups Elbow Macaroni
- 2 12 ounce cans Evaporated Milk
- 1/3 cup Skim Milk
- 2 large Egg
- 1/2 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 16 ounces Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese grated
- 8 ounces Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese shredded
- 1 pinch of Paprika for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease a 13 x 9" baking dish with butter and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil and cook pasta according to the directions. Drain the pasta, return it to the pot and add butter, tossing until the pasta has melted and the pasta is coated well.
- Whisk evaporated milk, skim milk and eggs together in a large bowl. Add in the seasoned salt, garlic powder, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper and set aside. Add the cheese to a separate bowl and set aside.
- Spread 1/3 of the cooked macaroni in the baking dishes, followed by a 1/3 of the cheese sauce. Repeat twice. Then, pour the milk mixture over the mac and cheese and sprinkle with paprika. Bake for about 35-45 minutes until the top layer has turned a light brown. Allow to sit for 10 mins prior to serving.