The Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe with Eggs

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When I was a kid, like many kids, my favorite food was macaroni and cheese. Unlike many kids though, my favorite version didn’t come from a box. The dish that had me drooling was a southern baked macaroni and cheese recipe that my Aunt Brenda used to make. She used a variety of cheeses when making this great recipe, each time a different combination possibly due to what she had on hand, to make her southern mac.

Sometimes I would observe what she was doing in hopes of learning a thing or two but I had found that to be counterproductive. This was because what she did this time was going to be different next time and there was really no way to copy her exact method. Somehow every time she served this dish during the holiday season, it was better than what I remembered from the previous year. 

She always had a way with food and some of my favorite recipes came from her kitchen. She has shared so many recipes with me over the years but my favorites were always her unique mac n cheese recipes. In my opinion, Aunt Brenda’s recipe puts the famous Paula Deen recipe to shame and the whole family loves it, so I think they would agree. 

Unfortunately, my great Aunt Brenda is no longer around to share recipes but I still think of her every time I make my favorite version of her southern-style macaroni and cheese. 

Why I Love this Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe with Eggs

Much like my Aunt Brenda, I enjoy trying new things out each time I cook a recipe. When making the cheese sauce for this recipe, I like to use different types of cheese and add in different ingredients each time in an attempt to enhance the recipe.

I have tried adding sour cream, bread crumbs, cream cheese, Monterey jack, American cheese, and pepper jack to create a cheese sauce to top this recipe but I have found the best results with this version I am sharing with you today.

This recipe simplifies the cooking process while delivering the best-baked macaroni and cheese flavor that rivals the delicious southern baked macaroni my Aunt Brenda served us at all of our family gatherings. 

This recipe started as a way more complicated version that you can see here if you would like to spend a good portion of your day in the kitchen. While this recipe is delicious, it is much more complicated than I have time for on a lot of nights, so I simplified it without sacrificing flavor. 

What You Will Need to Make the Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe with Eggs

You may be surprised to know that this recipe doesn’t include eggs. I’m just kidding, of course, it does, did you read the title? You will need eggs to create this recipe and some other ingredients you may already have on hand. If not, a quick trip to the grocery store should have you enjoying a large bowl of this easy recipe in no time. 

• 16 Ounces of Elbow Macaroni
• 1 Stick of Butter
• 1/2 Cup of Heavy Cream
• 1/4 Teaspoon of Onion Powder
• 8 Ounces of Cheddar Block Cheese 
• 2 Packages of Cheese Sauce
• 2 Eggs
• 1/4 Cup of Parmesan Cheese 
• Dash of Salt & Black Pepper (Optional) 

How to Make this Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe with Eggs 

You will want to start with al dente pasta, do this by using a large pot and cooking elbow macaroni slightly less time than the box recommends. This can usually be done in about 6-8 minutes depending on the brand of elbow macaroni you purchase. Some boxes will give you specific instructions for al dente pasta, if the brand you use does include this information, follow it.

Once your macaroni is finished cooking, drain it and then return it to the saucepan. 

I use a prepackaged cheese sauce along with a mixture of cheddar and parmesan to make a delicious cheese mixture. You can experiment like my Aunt Brenda and use a mixture of whichever cheeses you like best or stick to this homemade macaroni and cheese recipe.

After draining and returning the cooked pasta to the saucepan, stir in the butter. Mix the butter in the already heated pan, it should melt fairly quickly since the pot will retain the heat from  Pour the heavy cream, the cheese sauce pouch, and the onion powder into the cooked macaroni. 

In a separate bowl, add the egg and beat it. Just beat it.

Hey, you try writing a macaroni and cheese recipe that meets a specific word count to please the powers that be over at Google, and not put in a few silly things, I bet you can’t!

How to Temper the Eggs

The next step is to temper the eggs. If you are not familiar with the tempering process, you basically add a small amount of the heated cheese mixture to the egg. A little bit at a time until the egg mixture has heated up slowly, eventually adding in all of the eggs. This prevents the eggs from becoming scrambled eggs and keeps them gooey to make a creamy macaroni and cheese sauce. 

The next step is to mix the macaroni into the pan with the rest of the ingredients that have already been used.

Stir everything together, being careful not to destroy the macaroni, this can be difficult. This is especially true if you overcooked the macaroni or cooked it according to the directions and not directions for al dente. If this is the case, no need to panic, you can still have a good flavor, even without the best macaroni, the only difference will be that your macaroni mixture may be a little bit less chewy. The texture will change but overall the dish will still be delicious. 

Further Instructions for this Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe with Eggs

After mixing the macaroni mixture in the saucepan, pour the mixture into a baking dish. Shred the block of cheddar cheese, add it to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. You can use slices of cheese if you prefer, but I like the way shredded cheese falls into the ends of each of the macaroni noodles. 

Bake in a 13-inch baking dish at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes. Serve immediately. 

Make this Recipe Your Own 

I have experimented with many variations in this recipe. I have also added some things to leftover macaroni to give it an extra kick. Some of my favorite add-ins are garlic powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper, smoked paprika, dry mustard, hot sauce, and even cooked ground beef. This addition is a great way to make this delicious side dish to the next level and make it a delicious main dish.

When making this recipe for the first time, you can follow the directions exactly and see why I think this is the best creamy baked macaroni dish recipe out there. If you do decide to experiment with this recipe and find that it has a high star rating, feel free to leave a comment below letting me know what you changed.

I may have to update this post to include your version, with proper credit to you of course. That way everyone can give it a shot. It always amazes me how many different variations there are on a simple macaroni and cheese dish. It’s also surprising how often they change the entire flavor. I think adding meat to this dish turns it into a completely different meal and it was something that I had never thought about doing until a reader suggested it. I was really glad to give this a shot because it took this side dish to the next level. 

Tips for Making the Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe with Eggs

One of the easiest steps to mess up when recreating this recipe is cooking the macaroni. It can be easy to overcook so be sure to set a timer and read the box before boiling the noodles.

Another step that can easily get confused is how much salt and pepper to add to this recipe. I suggest adding a dash and that may seem very vague but the amount you will need really just depends on your personal preference. I don’t like as much salt as my husband does so not only do I take it easy on the seasoning salt but I make sure that I use unsalted butter when making this recipe. 

If you do not want to use a cheese packet, you could substitute this part for more sharp cheddar. In my opinion, this is the best cheese so it is always a welcome addition and I like lots of cheese, so this way works great for me.

Another issue you may run into when making this recipe is the burning of the top of the macaroni. If you find this happening to your dish, cover it with aluminum foil to prevent the top from getting too dark or crunchy. I have found that some people enjoy a crispy crust on top of their macaroni and cheese, if this is the case, no need to add the aluminum foil. 

How to Store & Reheat this Macaroni and Cheese Recipe 

One of my favorite lunches to have is macaroni and cheese leftover from last night. It’s a quick way to enjoy this macaroni and cheese, with little effort when it is served as a leftover.

The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to storing homemade macaroni and cheese is to keep it in an airtight container.

This dish can become dry and not reheat as well over time, this is especially true if it was not stored properly. If this happens, add a little bit of milk or heavy cream to the dish before reheating. The amount you will need to add will vary depending on the amount of leftover macaroni and cheese you are reheating. 

When deciding how much liquid to add into your leftover macaroni and cheese dish, start small and add more if needed. When reheating, do this in small increments and add a little bit more liquid at a time, after small intervals in the microwave. Stir the dish well in between each addition of liquid. 

You can add more cheese to this dish before microwaving. Try adding a bit of sour cream to give it a creamy texture after it has dried out in the refrigerator overnight. If you have an air fryer, this may be the best way to reheat this dish quickly without getting the oven involved.

Sometimes I just want a quick meal so I just pop it in the microwave. With the little addition of liquid, I have found this to be a delicious leftover. 

Want More Delicious Recipes?

Feel free to poke around the site and find more delicious recipes that I think you will love by clicking the recipes tab, it will open in a new tab. Or if you want to jump right to my favorite recipes have a look below. Another great side dish that isn’t too much trouble is an easy recipe for crispy baked potato wedges.

Another favorite potato recipe in my house is this Sweet & Savory Skillet Potatoes recipe. I enjoy serving it as a side dish with dinner. This also goes well as a breakfast side that pairs great with eggs.

If you want something different, you have to try out these 35 unique Thanksgiving side dishes. I bet you will find at least one recipe on this list that your whole family would love to try. 

If you want to take it easy and make use of your slow cooker while still pleasing your family members, these slow cooker side dishes are perfect. Filling your holiday table with an impressive spread has never been easier. 

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