Video Soul Food Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

There is something about homemade macaroni and cheese that makes me want a complete soul food meal. I’m talking about crispy fried chicken, tender collard greens with ham hocks, buttery cornbread, and super creamy cheesy mac and cheese. Yassss! Just the thought of it take me back to my childhood!

I remember it just like it was yesterday. My mom would wake up early every Sunday to get started on dinner. She’d turn on the radio, play that good ol’ r&b ( explains why I listen to r&b while I cook!), and go in! My mom would be in the kitchen all Sunday peeling potatoes for her southern potato salad, and cleaning fresh greens that she bought from the market. I’d just observe everything, and patiently wait for her to ask me to sample something. My favorite thing to sample was macaroni and cheese! I’d always make up an excuse for why I needed two bites to ” make sure” it was right… Yeah I was a greedy lil thang back then too! Especially when it came to mac and cheese!

Reading: Best soul food mac and cheese recipe

Well some things never change. Even as an adult, I still love me some macaroni and cheese. If I had to pick my favorite recipe for macaroni and cheese, I probably couldn’t because there are way too many to choose from. That’s like asking me to choose between Morris Chestnut and Idris Elba.. Why can’t I just like both of them?!! DON’T MAKE ME CHOOSE PEOPLE!! However, I can tell you that I prefer southern & soul food mac and cheese over the others.

Since I already have a southern baked macaroni and cheese recipe uploaded, I will share my soul food version. I actually shared a similar recipe many years ago. However, since then I’ve added more cheese, and changed the steps. Take a look!

Now we all know I have a ton of macaroni and cheese recipes uploaded already, but I refer to this one as my soul food macaroni and cheese recipe for several reasons. Reason number one – this is the kind of baked macaroni and cheese you probably had growing up in a soul food household. It has cheese throughout it, and it is completely homemade! Reason number two – honey child I put my soul into this southern soul food macaroni and cheese!

Unlike a lot of southern mac and cheese recipes, I do not use any eggs nor Velveeta in this one. Why No Velveeta? Because it is not needed! The cheese sauce that I make ( from scratch, might I add!) is creamy and cheesy enough. Forget about the myth that Velveeta HAS to be used in soul food mac & cheese. It’s all lies I tell ya!! I’m not saying this because I dislike Velveeta ( because I’ve used it in other recipes!), I’m simply stating the truth.

The homemade cheese sauce that I make for this macaroni and cheese is made from three different cheeses. I use Havarti, Gouda, and…..CREAM CHEESE! The cream cheese is what make this cheese sauce so freaking creamy. I tell you, it is amazing!

Now as far as pasta, I use plain ol’ elbow macaroni pasta, nothing special. You can use any brand that you choose, just make sure that you don’t overcook the pasta ( don’t nobody want any mushy mac and cheese sweetie!).

Oh and before we get into the recipe, here is a tip: For best results buy the cheeses in block, instead of buying shredded cheese. I find that it melts better!