The Best Southern-Style Baked Mac and Cheese You’ll Ever Make
If you love rich, creamy comfort food, this Southern pimento cheese mac and cheese is about to become your go-to recipe. It takes classic baked mac and cheese and levels it up with sharp cheddar, creamy pimento cheese, crispy bacon, and a buttery golden topping.
This is the kind of dish that shows up at holidays, potlucks, and Sunday dinners—and disappears fast. The sauce is silky, the pasta is perfectly coated, and every bite has that bold, slightly tangy Southern flavor from the pimentos.
Whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving, a backyard BBQ, or just a cozy dinner at home, this baked mac and cheese is guaranteed to impress.
Other Comfort Food Recipes
Why You’ll Love This Pimento Cheese Mac and Cheese
- Ultra creamy, never dry
- Bold Southern flavor from pimentos + sharp cheddar
- Crispy buttery topping for texture
- Easy to make ahead
- Crowd-pleasing comfort food
Ingredients
For the Mac and Cheese
- 1 lb. cavatappi pasta or any pasta you like for mac and cheese
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup pimento cheese (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup diced pimentos (drained)
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
For the Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- jarred pimentos (for garnish-optional)
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
How to Make Southern Pimento Cheese Mac and Cheese
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute until smooth.
Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream. Cook until thickened, about 3–5 minutes.
3. Add the Cheese
Reduce heat to low and stir in:
- cheddar
- Monterey Jack
- pimento cheese
Stir until smooth and creamy.
Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Add the Mix-Ins
Fold in:
- cooked pasta
- diced pimentos
- crumbled bacon
Stir until everything is evenly coated.
5. Assemble & Bake
Pour into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs, melted butter, and parmesan. Sprinkle evenly over the top.
Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
6. Serve
Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Scoop into bowls and enjoy that creamy, cheesy goodness.
Other Baked Dishes You’ll Love
Tips for the Best Baked Mac and Cheese
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest sauce
- Don’t overcook pasta—it finishes in the oven
- Add a splash of milk before baking if you want it extra creamy
- For more heat, add a pinch of cayenne
Variations
- Add pulled pork for a BBQ twist
- Swap bacon for smoked sausage
- Use pepper jack for a spicy kick
- Add caramelized onions for depth
Make Ahead + Storage
Make Ahead: Assemble fully, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking
Store: Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days
Reheat: Add a splash of milk and warm in oven or microwave
Other Pasta Dishes You’ll Love
Southern Pimento Cheese Mac and Cheese
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 SERVINGS 1x
Description
This Southern pimento cheese mac and cheese is ultra creamy, rich, and loaded with sharp cheddar, pimentos, and crispy bacon. Baked with a buttery golden topping, it’s the ultimate comfort food side dish for holidays, potlucks, or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 1 lb cavatappi pasta
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup pimento cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup diced pimentos, drained
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
For the Topping:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
- extra pimentos for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Cook pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream. Cook until thickened, about 3–5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, and pimento cheese until smooth.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in cooked pasta, diced pimentos, and bacon until fully coated.
- Pour into prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, melted butter, and parmesan. Sprinkle over top.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the creamiest texture
- Slightly undercook pasta to prevent mushy mac and cheese
- Add a splash of milk before baking if you want it extra creamy
- Can be assembled ahead and baked later
- Prep Time: 15 MINUTES
- Cook Time: 25 MINUTES
- Category: Dinner, HOLIDAYS, Side Dish
- Method: BAKED
- Cuisine: American, COMFORT FOOD, Holiday Recipes, SOUTHERN
FAQ
What is pimento cheese made of?
Pimento cheese is a Southern spread made from cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos. It adds a creamy, tangy flavor to this mac and cheese.
Can I use store-bought pimento cheese?
Yes—and it works beautifully in this recipe. It also saves time.
How do I keep mac and cheese creamy after baking?
Slightly undercook the pasta and don’t overbake. You can also stir in a splash of warm milk before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Southern pimento cheese mac and cheese is everything comfort food should be—creamy, rich, slightly tangy, and topped with that irresistible buttery crunch. It’s the kind of dish people go back for seconds (and thirds).
If you’re building out your holiday side dishes, Southern comfort food recipes, or baked pasta recipes, this one deserves a permanent spot.
