Velveeta Mac and Cheese

This Velveeta mac and cheese recipe is creamy, nostalgic, and irresistibly tacky. Tender macaroni is coated in a tacky sauce made with cheddar and Velveeta for that easy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Velveeta mac and cheese on a plate with breadcrumbs on top

Taste: Velveeta provides easy creaminess and cheesiness to a standard cheddar cheese sauce, whereas mustard offers the dish a vibrant tang.
Swaps: As an alternative of cheddar, use Parmesan, Gouda, Havarti, or mozzarella. So long as it melts, it may be swapped in.
Time-Saving Tip: Skip the baking and serve it from the stovetop or from a Cock Pot with out the topping for those who’re in a rush.
Serving Options: Serve together with your favourite veggies to steadiness the richness of this dish. Strive broccoli, brussels sprouts, green beans, or asparagus.

Preparing the cheese sauce for Velveeta Mac and Cheese

Components for Velveeta Mac and Cheese

Velveeta: This processed cheese melts fantastically and provides the sauce a silky texture. For fast, even melting, ensure you dice the Velveeta cheese earlier than including it to the sauce.
Cheddar: Sharp or additional sharp could have extra taste. Purchase a block and shred it, or save your self a while and use a bundle of pre-shredded cheese; each work effectively on this recipe!
Macaroni: Elbows are the basic selection, or use shells, rotini, or penne noodles. You’ll simply need to select a pasta that holds sauce effectively for the utmost taste in every chunk!
Seasonings: I prefer to maintain the seasonings easy with a contact of mustard and onion powder. For additional taste, sprinkle in a little bit of garlic powder, paprika, salt, or pepper.
Breadcrumbs: My favourite topping is Panko breadcrumbs for the crunchy texture, however you need to use regular breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs.
Add-Ins: Toss in peas, broccoli, a can of Rotel or diced tomatoes, black olives, or sliced jalapeños. Give it additional protein and smoky depth with crumbed bacon, sausage, or diced ham.

A baking dish of Velveeta mac and cheese with a serving spoon

Prepare dinner your pasta al dente in order that it doesn’t overcook whereas baking within the oven or whereas reheating.
In case your cheese sauce is just too thick, reserve a bit pasta water to assist skinny it out or add a splash of milk. If it’s too skinny, sprinkle in a bit additional cheddar cheese and stir till thickened.
If you would like your breadcrumb topping additional crispy, broil it for 1-2 minutes on the finish, preserving an in depth eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn.

Stash and Save for Later

To Retailer: Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
To Freeze: Retailer in an hermetic container or freezer bag for as much as 4 months. Thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.
To Reheat: Pop leftovers within the microwave or warmth up on the stovetop, stir in a bit little bit of milk as wanted.

Extra Mac and Cheese? Sure, Please!

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Recipe up to date 11/1/25 for improved consistency.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

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Prep Time 15 minutes

Prepare dinner Time 30 minutes

Resting Time 5 minutes

Complete Time 50 minutes

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
To make the topping, mix bread crumbs, cheddar cheese, and melted butter. Put aside.
Convey a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Prepare dinner the pasta al dente (agency) based on bundle directions. Drain effectively, don’t rinse.
In the meantime, in a separate medium saucepan, soften 2 tablespoons butter over medium warmth. Add the flour, mustard powder, and onion powder, and prepare dinner for 1 minute whereas whisking.
Step by step add the milk, whisking till easy after every addition. As soon as the milk is added, carry the combination to a boil over medium warmth whereas whisking. Cut back the warmth to medium-low and prepare dinner for 1 minute. Stir within the cubed Velveeta cheese, salt, and pepper. Whisk till melted and creamy.
Take away from warmth and stir within the cheddar cheese and drained pasta. Combine effectively to mix. Style and season with extra salt and pepper if desired. Alter the consistency with milk or pasta water if wanted, observe that the sauce will thicken because the pasta bakes.
Switch the macaroni combination to a 2 quart baking dish and sprinkle with the topping.
Bake for 20 minutes or till heated by means of and the topping is golden brown. Don’t overcook.
Relaxation 5 minutes earlier than serving.

The sauce will thicken because the macaroni bakes and cools.
This may be made with between 8 and 16 ounces of elbow macaroni. For a creamier pasta, use much less pasta. This sauce is wealthy, I desire 12 oz.
You’ll be able to skinny the sauce with additonal milk if wanted.
Sharp cheddar might be changed with different kinds of shredded cheese, equivalent to Swiss or Parmesan.
Pre-shredded cheese can be utilized on this recipe.
Leftovers might be saved within the fridge in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days, or frozen for as much as 4 months. Thaw within the fridge earlier than reheating.

Vitamin info offered is an estimate and can fluctuate based mostly on cooking strategies and types of components used.

Course Casserole, Primary Course, Pasta, Aspect Dish

Delicacies American

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