Creamy Mac and Cheese

Creamy mac and cheese is a beloved classic that never fails to comfort and satisfy. This recipe elevates the traditional dish with a rich, velvety cheese sauce that perfectly coats each noodle, ensuring every bite is flavorful. Whether you’re whipping it up for a cozy family dinner or a casual gathering with friends, this mac and cheese delivers warmth and nostalgia in each forkful.

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 to potlucks or family gatherings. It always gets eaten first.

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 other affiliated sites. #CommisionsEarned. You can read my disclosure here.

Helpful tips

• We’ve always used Velveeta and sharp cheddar for this recipe because it’s decadent, and we love the flavor. But other great cheese choices are Gruyère, gouda, or Monterey Jack.
• Since the pasta continues to cook in the oven, boiling it until just al dente will prevent it from becoming mushy.
• Start with a roux (butter and flour mixture) to ensure your cheese sauce is thick and smooth.
• Don’t forget to season your sauce with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg or mustard powder to enhance the flavors.
• Even though we use crumbled Ritz crackers on top, for added texture and taste, sprinkle breadcrumbs, Parmesan, or even bacon bits on top before baking.
• Since this recipe uses a processed cheese like Velveeta, we also use a pre-shredded cheese. You can dhred your cheese if you prefer.
• When mixing the cheese sauce with pasta, stir gently to keep the pasta intact.
• If you like a crispy top, bake your mac and cheese until it’s golden and bubbly.

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, all-purpose flour, butter, ground black pepper, nutmeg, sharp cheddar cheese, Velveeta cheese, milk, and Ritz crackers for the topping. (A)

Step two

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

Step three

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

Step four

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

Step five

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

Step six

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

Look at how cheesy this recipe is!

Step seven

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

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.

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

Let’s take a bite.

Delightful!

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

Other mac and cheese recipes

• Gnocchi
• Lobster
• Appetizer cups

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 FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST  to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!