This bundle focuses on essentials for creating Stacy Harris's Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese. It includes key cookware, core ingredients, and useful kitchen tools. This selection aims to help home cooks achieve a rich, authentic, and delicious baked mac and cheese.
Curated by Kitchen Bench · Updated June 2026
Built for the home cook who wants to move beyond standard casserole dishes to master stove-to-oven Southern techniques. Not for those seeking instant, one-pot solutions—this shop focuses on traditional high-heat searing and scratch-made roux preparation.
Curator's pick: Lodge 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet
The weight and thermal mass of this American-made cast iron provide the consistent heat retention required to form a crisp bottom crust without scorching the cheese sauce. Unlike thinner carbon steel or stainless pans, this format holds temperature steady when cold pasta and dairy are added.
⚠ Worth knowing: The heavy-gauge cast iron and enameled surfaces included here require manual maintenance and significant storage space. If the kitchen workflow relies on dishwasher-safe convenience or lightweight aluminum, the weight of these pieces will become a barrier to regular use.
High-Fat Artisan Dairy and Cultured Butter PantryProfessional Grade Oven-to-Table Serving WareHeavy-Duty Cast Iron Restoration and Seasoning Kits
This shop is built around the essential tools and ingredients needed to replicate Stacy Harris's beloved Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese. It's curated to provide the foundational components for a truly authentic and delicious baked mac and cheese experience.
This bundle is ideal for home cooks who appreciate classic comfort food and want to achieve a rich, creamy, and perfectly baked macaroni and cheese. It's especially suited for those looking to expand their culinary repertoire with a signature dish that impresses at any gathering.
Starting with the core ingredients and a skillet will get you cooking, costing around $37-$70. A full build, including premium cookware, will range from $257-$380, providing a complete and durable setup.
Full build
$257–$380
Starter
$37–$70
Skillet, Pasta, Cheese, Zester
Best forComfort Food EnthusiastsSouthern Cuisine LoversHome BakersEntertaining GuestsFamily Meal Prep
This is a pre-seasoned 12-inch cast iron skillet, a durable and versatile pan. It's suitable for baking and serving main dishes, designed for home kitchens and campfire cooking scenarios.
12-inch diameter
Pre-seasoned cast iron material
Superior heat retention
Integrated helper handle
Suitable for oven, stove, and grill
In this shop: The Lodge 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet embodies the Stacy Harris Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese vibe with its traditional utility for baking and serving.
This is an 8-ounce block of sharp yellow cheddar cheese, known for its bold flavor profile. It is intended for grating and melting into sauces or consuming directly, suitable for general cooking applications.
8-ounce block size
Sharp yellow cheddar
Solid dairy ingredient
Ideal for grating and melting
Product of Tillamook Creamery
In this shop: The Tillamook Sharp Yellow Cheddar Cheese Block provides the foundational flavor consistent with the rich Stacy Harris Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese vibe.
This product consists of standard elbow-shaped pasta, made from durum wheat semolina. It is designed for boiling and incorporating into various dishes, particularly classic macaroni preparations.
Elbows pasta shape
Made from durum wheat semolina
Standard 16-ounce box
Quick cooking time
Holds sauce well
In this shop: Barilla Elbows Pasta is included for its iconic shape, a staple in achieving the traditional Stacy Harris Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese form.
This is a handheld zester and grater with a stainless steel blade and ergonomic handle. It is designed for finely grating hard cheeses, citrus zest, and spices in a home kitchen setting.
Fine grating surface
Stainless steel blade
Ergonomic handle
Protective cover included
Dishwasher safe
In this shop: The Microplane Classic Series Zester Grater supports the Stacy Harris Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese vibe by ensuring freshly grated cheese for optimal melt and flavor.
This is a 2-quart enameled cast iron saucepan with a lid, offering even heat distribution and retention. It is suitable for stovetop cooking tasks like making sauces, designed for durability and ease of cleaning in a home kitchen.
2-quart capacity
Enameled cast iron construction
Heat-resistant knob
Compatible with all cooktops
Dishwasher safe
In this shop: The Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Saucepan aligns with the Stacy Harris Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese vibe through its quality and suitability for creating a smooth, consistent cheese sauce.
This is a set of three clear borosilicate glass mixing bowls in various sizes (1-quart, 1.5-quart, 2.5-quart). They are designed for food preparation, mixing, and serving, suitable for microwave, oven, and dishwasher use.
Set of 3 mixing bowls
Borosilicate glass material
Nesting design for storage
Microwave and oven safe
Dishwasher safe
In this shop: The Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set supports the Stacy Harris Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese vibe by offering practical, reliable tools for ingredient preparation.
This combination of products ensures even heat distribution and retention, crucial for achieving a perfectly baked and creamy mac and cheese.
The selected ingredients and tools facilitate the creation of a rich, authentic flavor profile that captures the essence of Southern-style mac and cheese.
Durably constructed cookware and tools mean these items will last for many years, making them a worthwhile investment for frequent use.
What to know
The Le Creuset saucepan represents a significant upfront investment, which might be a barrier for budget-conscious buyers.
Using a cast iron skillet requires specific cleaning and seasoning practices to maintain its quality, which may not appeal to everyone.
How to use this together
1
Prepare Your Ingredients
Begin by shredding your Tillamook Sharp Yellow Cheddar Cheese Block using the Microplane Classic Series Zester Grater. This ensures a fine, even melt for your sauce. Cook the Barilla Elbows Pasta al dente according to package directions, as it will continue to cook when baked.
2
Craft the Cheese Sauce
In the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Saucepan, prepare your béchamel and cheese sauce. The even heat of the Le Creuset is ideal for preventing scorching and creating a smooth, lump-free sauce, which is foundational to a rich mac and cheese. Add the finely grated cheddar gradually until fully melted and combined.
3
Combine and Assemble
In one of the Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set bowls, combine the cooked pasta with your prepared cheese sauce, ensuring every elbow is thoroughly coated. This order allows for optimal sauce distribution before transfer to the baking vessel.
4
Bake to Perfection
Transfer the pasta mixture into the Lodge 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet. The cast iron skillet is perfect for achieving that desirable crispy crust on top while keeping the inside creamy and bubbling. Bake in the oven until golden brown and delicious, providing a beautiful presentation straight from the oven to the table.
