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This is the perfect creamy mac and cheese. It tastes amazing, dense, rich and spicy with a great cheddar flavor. After tasting it you will be addicted. – Cynthia Hartley, Virginia Chesapeake
Total preparation time: 20 minutes. Bake for 35 minutes.
Yields six servings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 to 2 cups 2% milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces cubed Velveeta
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
- Cook the macaroni as directed on the package.
- While you wait, preheat the oven to 350°. Add the butter to a large pot and melt it. Add flour and stir until smooth. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil, then simmer for two minutes, stirring, until thickened. Reduce the heat and stir in the sour cream, Velveeta, Parmesan cheese, mustard, salt and pepper until the cheese melts and the mixture is smooth. Add additional milk to get the right consistency.
- After draining, combine macaroni with cheddar cheese. Transfer to a buttered 3-quart baking dish. Add cream sauce and stir.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until bubbling and golden brown.
Can you use different kinds of cheese to make creamy mac and cheese?
If you enjoy a savory meal, this creamy mac and cheese may become your new favorite. Cheddar gives it that traditional mac and cheese flavor, while Velveeta keeps everything wonderfully creamy, rich and smooth. If you want to add a different cheese to this recipe, it might be best to stick with the Velveeta and try something else by adding the grated cheese at the end. Try replacing the cheddar with a softer cheese like Gruyere, Gouda, Monterey Jack, Havarti, or Muenster. If you can’t get enough, here are some additional Velveeta recipes!
What else can you add to creamy mac and cheese?
Macaroni and cheese pairs well with many add-ins. Add steamed vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower, or add cubed ham, pulled pork, rotisserie chicken, or ground beef to your homemade creamy mac and cheese. Add some texture by adding crumbled crackers, potato chips, bacon, parsley, and truffle oil as toppings.
How can you add a bread crumb topping to creamy mac and cheese?
Crusty, buttery toppings, such as crackers or buttered bread crumbs, are frequently used to top casserole dishes. If you’re in the mood for some extra crunch, you can add buttered bread crumbs to this creamy mac and cheese. Mix 3 tablespoons melted butter with 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs. Before baking, sprinkle the top of the mac and cheese.
How do you keep mac and cheese creamy?
This homemade mac and cheese recipe has a lot of creamy ingredients, and you can keep all that creamy richness by simmering your cream sauce longer. Cook until it thickens. Once that’s done, bake your dish, covering it with foil for the first half of the bake to trap moisture.
Can you make creamy mac and cheese ahead of time?
Making this mac and cheese fresh will give it the ideal texture—not too creamy or too dry. On the other hand, you can make it in advance if time is needed. Cook the macaroni just until al dente and add extra milk (more than the recipe calls for) so that some of the liquid is absorbed when the pasta sits to bake. Compared to baking it right away, you’ll want the mixture to be looser. Add 2 to 2-1/2 cups milk and stir.
How long does homemade mac and cheese last?
Store any leftovers of your homemade mac and cheese in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to two months. For additional advice, see our article on Freezing Food. For more delicious meals, try our other top mac and cheese recipes!
—Elizabeth Harris and Peggy Woodward, senior food editor at Taste of Home
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