7+ Southern mac and cheese recipes that will make you crave this otherwise simple dish

Most people can agree that mac and cheese is pretty delicious all on its own. It's hard to imagine how this creamy, cheesy favorite could possibly get any better. If you are a mac and cheese lover then you will definitely want to check out these souped-up versions of your childhood favorite.

You'll be blown away at how small changes can lead to a huge boost in flavor. These recipes prove that no matter your age, you can still enjoy this tasty dish. There's something for everyone in these scrumptious sides.

Southern pimento mac and cheese
When is comfort food not comfort food? Answer: When it’s impossibly complicated to cook. So, the next time you want a delicious mac and cheese that doesn’t taste like it came out of a box but doesn’t cost so much that it might as well have come from a restaurant, check out Southern pimento mac and cheese. Southern homestyle mac and cheese
Homestyle mac and cheese is … almost … intimate, isn’t it? Something about a cheesy plate of pasta is forever tied up in warm, happy memories of childhood and family. It might be the comfort food to end all comfort food. So, if you’re looking to impress a significant other, start a new family tradition or stop heartache in its tracks, look no further. Get the recipe here. Southern Cajun mac and cheese
If Southern Cajun mac and cheese isn’t already in your recipe box, you’re in for a treat. Think: everything you love about feel-good, Southern mac and cheese, plus just enough protein, spice and color to make it feel like a complete meal. Get the recipe here. Southern shrimp mac and cheese
If you're a huge fan of anything that is loaded with cheese, a favorite thing about Southern cuisine is that mac and cheese is considered a vegetable. With this recipe, it can count as a main dish as well, making it a totally sublime one-bowl meal.Southern crab mac and cheese
Growing up, my brother was a macaroni and cheese fiend. I liked plain-old cheesy mac, but he wanted all kinds of flavors in his. My mother would make pizza macaroni with marinara and pepperoni, spicy buffalo chicken mac and cheese and (for special occasions) this recipe for crab mac and cheese. It was probably my first exposure to crab, and I was hooked even though I was a picky eater.Southern mac 'n' cheese fried bites
Imagine munching on these delightful little pockets of mac and cheese at your next party, game day or even just as a weekday guilty snack. Crispy coating and a ooey gooey mac and cheese filling – this snack is where it's at. Get the recipe here.