Recipe box/Side dish

Side dish

Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy baked macaroni made with Velveeta and mild cheddar, then finished in a hot oven under a blanket of melted cheese.

Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min
Makes
8 servings
macaroni and cheesepastabakedcomfort food
Creamy baked macaroni and cheese with a smooth melted cheddar top

The story

Velveeta handles the smooth, creamy sauce while mild cheddar brings the familiar baked-cheese flavor. Add the milk a splash at a time, stirring after each addition, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Make it

Method

Prepare

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain well.

    About 10 min
  2. Shred about three-quarters of the cheddar block. Use a little more than half of the shredded cheese in the sauce and reserve the rest for the top.

    About 5 min

Make the sauce

  1. Place the cubed Velveeta, butter, and cheddar for the sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

    About 2 min
  2. Stir constantly as the cheese melts. Add milk a splash at a time until the sauce is smooth and creamy enough to coat the macaroni.

    About 6 min

Bake

  1. Combine the drained macaroni and cheese sauce, then spread the mixture evenly in a baking dish.

    About 3 min
  2. Sprinkle the reserved cheddar evenly over the top. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the edges are bubbling.

    About 20 min