Velveeta Mac and Cheese
Everyone loves mac and cheese, but this homemade Velveeta Mac and cheese is where it is at! You will love the homemade cheese sauce with the tender noodles that are topped with crushed croutons for a little bit of crunch in every single bite! It is hearty, cheesy and so easy to make!
Velveeta Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Mac and cheese has always been a favorite in our house, but this creamy Velveeta Mac and Cheese just might take the cake! It is creamy, easy, and super delicious and the added crunch thanks to the croutons puts it over the edge in the delicious factor! Once you make this you will realize just what you have been missing all these years of not making it!
This is perfect to take to a picnic, serve as a main dish, or a side to your favorite meal.
How to Make Velveeta Mac and Cheese
- Cook the pasta, drained. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
- In a saucepan, over medium heat melt the butter.
- Add the flour and stir together until you get a thick paste
- Add half and half and stir well.
- Add the seasonings and mix until combined.
- Add the Velveeta cheese and cook over medium heat while mixing until the cheese is melted. You will have a thick cheese sauce.
- Add the Monterey Jack cheese and mix until melted
- Butter/oil a 9×13 bakeware.
- Add the cooked pasta.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix well.
- Sprinkle the crushed croutons over the pasta
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the top is nice and golden.
Tips Tricks and FAQs
- Be sure that you stir the cheese continuously when you are melting it over medium heat. This will make a nice soft cheese sauce.
- You are only melting the cheese, not cooking it. As soon as it is all melted, remove from the heat and pour over the pasta. Do not overcook it.
- If you want to add some protein to the dish, add some cooked chicken. You can even try some cooked bacon pieces!
- Technically if you just can’t wait, you can eat this before baking it in the oven! Sometimes it is just too hard to wait.
- You can easily double the recipe if you want to make a big batch.
Storage
You will want to store your leftover Velveeta Mac and cheese in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Reheating Velveeta Mac and cheese
You can reheat your mac in cheese on the stove or in the microwave. Place your desired amount in a pot or microwavable safe bowl and warm it to your desired temperature. You can add a little bit of milk to help loosen up the noodles a bit if needed.
What can I serve with this dish?
Serve with a side salad or a steamed vegetable.
Velveeta Mac and Cheese
Everyone loves mac and cheese, but this homemade Velveeta Mac and cheese is where it is at! You will love the homemade cheese sauce with the tender noodles that are topped with crushed croutons for a little bit of crunch in every single bite! It is hearty, cheesy and so easy to make!
Ingredients
- 1 box (12 oz.) cooked elbow pasta (you can choose any short pasta of your liking, penne, rotini,...)
- 2 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted, your choice)
- 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour (you can use bleached all-purpose as well)
- 1 cup half and a half (you can use ½ cup milk and a half cup of heavy cream)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (you can use sweet paprika as well)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 oz cubed Velveeta cheese (1/2 pound)
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack (You can substitute with Mozzarella, Colby Jack or Cheddar. I like to shred the cheese at home as it melts better, however, you can use an already shredded cheese bag)
- 1 cup crushed croutons
Instructions
- Cook the pasta, drained. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
- In a saucepan, over medium heat melt the butter.
- Add the flour and stir together until you get a thick paste
- Add half and half and stir well.
- Add the seasonings and mix until combined.
- Add the Velveeta cheese and cook over medium heat while mixing until the cheese is melted. You will have a thick cheese sauce.
- Add the Monterey Jack cheese and mix until melted
- Butter/oil a 9x13 bakeware.
- Add the cooked pasta.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix well.
- Sprinkle the crushed croutons over the pasta
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the top is nice and golden.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 238Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 672mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 10g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
