| |

Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe

This creamy mac and cheese recipe is a classic comfort food that is loved by people of all ages. It is rich, velvety, and cheesy, and it is perfect for a cold winter day or a cozy night.

A crock filled with the mac and cheese with the casserole dish and a plate of chicken wings and spinach behind it

This creamy mac and cheese recipe lives up to its name by being cheesy and creamy. It will satisfy your every comfort food craving. Robyn has been making this recipe for years and boy, are we glad she does!

You can make a big batch of this and bring it at pot lucks or family gatherings. It almost always goes.

Save This Recipe form

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!

My sister usually makes this recipe in 5 pound batches and brings the casserole to gatherings. And she’s like the pied piper with the kids running behind her cheering.

We are a participant in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. #CommisionsEarned. You can read my disclosure here.

A crock filled with mac and cheese with cracker crumbs on top
Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

How to make creamy mac and cheese

Pre-step

Get out a medium stockpot and fill it halfway with water and salt and set it to boil.

Once the water comes to a boil add 1/2 pound of elbows and cook for 8 minutes.

Also preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step one

Gather the ingredients – elbows, flour, butter, cheddar cheese, Velveeta cheese (egads, I love that stuff), milk and Ritz crackers for the topping.

Flour, butter, Velveeta, cheddar cheese, elbow macaroni and Ritz crackers on a grey wooden table

Step two

Get a medium sauce pan and melt 1/2 cup of butter. When it’s melted, whisk in some flour.

Butter and flour forming a roux for the sauce

Step three

Add milk and stand there and whisk constantly until it thickens.

Add 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar and 1 pound of Velveeta, that has been cut into cubes.

Cheese melted in the roux with a whisk in the pan

Step four

Drain the elbows and place them back in the pot you used to boil them.

Step five

Pour the cheese sauce on top of the elbows and mix them all together. Once the elbows are covered with the cheese sauce, transfer it to a medium casserole dish.

Elbow macaroni and cheese sauce in a casserole dish with some Ritz crackers in the background

Look at how cheesy this recipe is!

Step six

Crumble at least eight crackers onto the top of the cheesy goodness.

Ritz crackers crumbled on cheese sauce and macaroni in the baking dish

Now, you can use more crackers if you like or less. Just go by your mood and your taste buds!

Step seven

Bake it for 35 minutes until it’s nice and bubbly.

The mac and cheese fresh out of the oven with two oven mitts in the background

I gather some soy honey wings and some sautéed kale to plate with my mac and cheese.

Let’s take a bite.

A forkful of mac and cheese over the crock with the casserole dish and wings behind it

I hope you enjoyed this creamy mac and cheese recipe as much as my family does.

Other mac and cheese recipes

And as always, may all your dishes be delish!

If you’ve tried this I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM and PINTEREST  to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

A forkful of cheesy macaroni over a crock filled with it

Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe

This mac and cheese is such a comfort food! So delicious!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Side Dish
Keyword: creamy mac and cheese
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 516kcal

Ingredients

  • .5 pound elbow macaroni
  • Salt for water
  • .50 cup butter
  • .50 cup flour
  • 4 cups milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar shredded
  • 1 pound Velveeta cheese cubed
  • 8 Ritz crackers or more

Instructions

  • Fill a medium stock pot 1/2 way with water and set it on to boil. Once it has boiled, salt it and add 1/2 pound of elbow macaroni, cook 8 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 F
  • As the pasta cooks, start the cheese sauce
  • Add butter in sauce pan and melt it on medium heat. Once it melts, add flour and whisk until combined.
  • Add milk and whisk until the mixture thickens
  • Add cheddar and Velveeta and whisk until it is melted
  • Drain elbows and stick it in the pan you used to boil it. Pour the cheese sauce on the elbows and stir until the elbows are covered.
  • Pour the cheesy elbows in a medium casserole dish
  • Crush 8 Ritz crackers and sprinkle on top of macaroni and cheese
  • Bake for 35 minutes until it is bubbly
  • Spoon out onto a plate
  • Eat the mac and cheese
  • Smile a cheesy smile
  • Enjoy
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 516kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 1229mg | Potassium: 485mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1445IU | Calcium: 688mg | Iron: 1mg
Get new recipes in your inbox!Click here! to sign up for our newsletter
Website | + posts

From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.

Similar Posts

20 Comments

  1. Ohemgee! This macaroni and cheese looks INSANE! I love homemade macaroni and cheese as a side and as a main, haha! Bookmarked!

  2. What a classic comfort food loved by so many! You can’t beat all that cheesiness! I’m sure this disappears fast at family gatherings! I also bet everyone wants your recipe! So nice of you to share!

    1. Thanks Ali. I love the extra buttery crunch. Like I need more butter! But, hey, it’s comfort food, right?

  3. This looks so creamy and comforting! I love mac and cheese. Forgive me, I’m British – but what is Velveeta exactly? Lol. Lovely photos too, Elaine! 🙂

    1. Sasha! Velveeta is a block of processed cheese. I’m sure it’s not ‘healthy’ but I do enjoy it once in a while. Especially in this dish. And thank you for your comments about my photos. I appreciate it!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating