Paula Deen Best Mac and Cheese Recipe
(UPDATED JUNE 2022) Looking for an easy last-minute recipe? Whatever the occasion, macaroni and cheese is always a crowd pleaser and a great, tasty dish to serve any time. Although there are thousands of tasty macaroni and cheese recipes out there, my favorite is Paula Deen’s recipe. Simply called “The Lady’s Cheesy Mac,” it creates the best Mac and Cheese of them all. I have made The Lady’s Cheesy Mac more times than I can count because it is creamy, easy, and delicious. I hope you will enjoy this recipe just as much as my family has.
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 55 minutes. Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Mac & Cheese Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked elbow macaroni, drained (or sub for penne or whatever shape of pasta you like)
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese (want to fancy it up? try substituting with one cup of Gruyère)
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 Tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
Easy Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare macaroni per package directions, cooked al dente, and drain. Place cooked macaroni in a large bowl and while still hot, add the cheddar cheese–this will help it melt easily.
In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour macaroni mixture into a casserole dish sprayed with Pam, and bake for 30-45 minutes. If the macaroni is browning faster than you want, cover with foil. Top with additional cheese if desired.
Pro Tip: I like to sprinkle some cheese and bake uncovered for about 5 minutes just to get that beautiful melted cheese look. You can also dust it with grated parmesan to jazz it up a bit.
Pro Tip: For a richer and more full-bodied flavor, substitute half and half or heavy cream in place of milk.
Note: I add the butter to the macaroni and cheese mixture to help it melt faster, too.
Hack: For easy cleanup, make the macaroni and cheese in a disposable container.
View a printable version of The Lady’s Cheesy Mac here.
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Thank you for sharing this! I have made this so many times. Everyone that tries it, loves it!
You are welcome! Mac and cheese…is there anything more crowd pleasing? 😉
I knew I was making mac and cheese… My daughter’s best friend is coming over. We haven’t even tried it yet but it looks amazing. I didnt have sour cream on hand, but i did have Greek yogurt and i often substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream… So I figured id try it in this. So excited to try!!
Greek yogurt is a great substitute. I hop it turned out yummy! 😉 Thanks for reading.
Can you freeze and bake later?
Nancy, I’m not sure as I’ve never tried to.
I just watched Paula’s Party and she made this dish. She said do not only cook your Macaroni to just El dente, but cook it till soft. and she used 6 diff cheeses…Cheddar, Gouda,Muenster, Swiss, and Jack…1/3 cup of each.
Sounds delicious to me! 😉 I like mine softer than al dente, too, but that is the correct way.