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A forkful of cheesy macaroni over a crock filled with it
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Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe

This mac and cheese is such a comfort food! So delicious!
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
Author Elaine Benoit

Ingredients

  • .5 pound elbow macaroni
  • 2 tablespoons 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)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

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 until al dente.
    2 tablespoons Salt, .5 pound elbow macaroni
  • 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.
    .50 cup butter, .50 cup flour
  • Add milk and whisk until the mixture thickens.
    4 cups milk
  • Add cheddar, Velveeta, pepper, and nutmeg and whisk until it is melted.
    2 cups sharp cheddar, 1 pound Velveeta cheese, 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Drain elbows and return 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 the macaroni and cheese. Bake for 35 minutes or until bubbly.
  • Serve, eat, and smile.

Notes

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 516kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 860mg | Potassium: 485mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1445IU | Calcium: 688mg | Iron: 1mg