Southern Pimento Cheese Mac and Cheese
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.
- Prep Time: 15 MINUTES
- Cook Time: 25 MINUTES
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 SERVINGS 1x
- Category: Dinner, HOLIDAYS, Side Dish
- Method: BAKED
- Cuisine: American, COMFORT FOOD, Holiday Recipes
Ingredients
Scale
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
Find it online: https://www.firsthomelovelife.com/pimento-cheese-mac-and-cheese/