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This Velveeta Mac and Cheese tastes like the favorite blue boxed mac and cheese but better! But It’s rich and creamy, and so delicious!
![Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese (1) Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.favfamilyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Velveeta-Mac-and-Cheese-recipe.jpg)
Velveeta Mac and Cheese
This Velveeta Mac and Cheese is cheesy, smooth and creamy, just like mac and cheese should be! I don’t know about y ou, but I am not a fan of mac and cheese that is dry and grainy, and it seems a lot of homemade recipes come out that way. This copycat KRAFT Mac & Cheese recipe is a simple, quick, cheesy, mac & cheese that your kids will actually eat… and like. Let’s be honest, kids like the “Blue Box” macaroni and cheese and this is a lot like it (consistency and taste), but better. It is rich and creamy, just the way it should be. This makes quite a lot so be prepared to share!
Ingredients to make Velveeta Mac and Cheese
- Macaroni Pasta – Regular-sized. Use small shell pasta to make Velveeta Shells and Cheese or other short pastas such as penne, rotini, or bowties (farfalle).
- Velveeta – Original Velveeta is best. We have tried other off-brands or generic brands and they just don’t turn out the same. Velveeta is your best bet.
- Cheese – We like to balance out the flavor of the Velveeta cheese sauce by using regular, shredded cheese. When we use 100% Velveeta the flavor is too rich.
- Whole milk – Milk adds to the creaminess. We use whole milk but 2% milk or skim milk can be used.
- Butter – Butter also adds to the creaminess without altering the flavor of the mac and cheese.
- Seasonings – We use paprika, salt, and pepper in this recipe but you can also add dry mustard powder, turmeric, or onion powder, garlic powder depending on your tastes. Turmeric gives the mac and cheese a natural yellow color boost but remember a little goes a long way! Add a little at a time until you get the color you are looking for.
![Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese (2) Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.favfamilyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Velveeta-Mac-and-Cheese-ingredients.jpg)
Add-Ins and Other Serving Suggestions
Have you ever had a mac and cheese bar? It is so fun to make a big pot of mac and cheese and then have bowls of ingredients to choose from as toppings or add-ins. Here are some of our favorites:
- broccoli (sautéed or steamed)
- carrots (sauteer or steamed)
- peas
- hot dogs
- ham
- bacon
- tuna
- tomatoes
- ground beef
- toasted breadcrumbs
- Ritz crackers (buttery rounds crackers)
Baked Mac and Cheese
For a baked Velveeta mac and cheese, top with seasoned breadcrumbs or crushed buttery rounds (Ritz crackers). Bake at 350-degrees F for 20 minutes. You may need to divide the mac and cheese into 2 9×13 baking pans to accomplish this. You can also serve half of the mac and cheese baked in a casserole dish and half regular-style straight from the pan.
![Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese (3) Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.favfamilyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Velveeta-Mac-and-Cheese-easy-recipe.jpg)
Tips for Velveeta Mac & Cheese
- When preparing the sauce, cut butter into chunks so it melts better and more evenly.
- Same goes for the Velveeta. Cut it into cubes so it’ll melt evenly.
- If possible, use whole milk in this recipe. It’ll add a creamier texture to the sauce. So good!
- Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To re-heat leftovers add a tiny bit of milk before microwaving. Then stir every thirty seconds until it’s heated evenly all the way through.
![Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese (4) Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.favfamilyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Easy-Velveeta-Mac-and-Cheese.jpg)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make Velveeta mac and cheese better?
Try adding some protein such as ham, bacon, or hot dogs. Or maybe even some veggies like steamed broccoli or peas. You can also top with toasted, seasoned breadcrumbs or crumbled buttery rounds (Ritz crackers).
How do you melt Velveeta cheese for mac and cheese?
You simply cut it into cubes and add it to your cooked macaroni on the stovetop. Add butter and milk and stir it in until melted. The smaller you cut your cubes the better it will melt in.
What is the best cheese to melt for mac and cheese?
Velveeta is easy to melt and mixes in easily. For a very creamy mac and cheese it is a great choice. If you aren’t a fan of Velveeta you can try our Homemade Mac and Cheese that uses sharp cheddar instead.
What to Serve with Mac and Cheese
You can serve this creamy mac and cheese as a side dish to Sirloin Steaks, Baby Back Pork Ribs, or this Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken. Or add a few of these delicious side dish recipes and make the macaroni and cheese the main dish!
Side Dishes
Oven Roasted Asparagus
Side Dishes
Oven Roasted Green Beans
Side Dishes
Coleslaw with Roasted Red Pepper
Side Dishes
How to Cook Frozen Peas
More Mac and Cheese Recipes
Love mac and cheese as much as we do? Here are even MORE Mac and cheese recipes to try:
Pasta
Homemade Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Crockpot
Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Dinner
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
“This is AMAZING!!!! I am 11 years old and love to cook, and my baby sister loves it!” – Lula B
“This is the macaroni and cheese that brings me back to my childhood! YUM!” – Renee G
“I just tried the recipe and it is ten times better than what u get in the box I loved it and found the flavor was better it’s gonna be one that I use from now on” – Gladys
“I have been following your blog for awhile. I just made your mac and cheese and my daughter said it was “the best ever, much better than out of the box!”
Thanks for the recipes!” – Lisa
How to Make Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese
Velveeta Mac and Cheese
4.64 from 11 votes
This Velveeta Mac and Cheese tastes like the favorite blue boxed mac and cheese but better! But It's rich and creamy, and so delicious!
PrintPinRate
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup butter cut up into chunks so it melts easier
- 8 ounces Velveeta cut into little cubes
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk or to taste
- salt & pepper to taste
- paprika optional.. I just use it for a little extra flavor and pretty color
Instructions
Cook macaroni according to package directions (al dente) in salted water. When macaroni is cooked, drain and return to pot on low heat.
When macaroni is cooked, drain and return to pot on low heat. Immediately add butter.
When butter is melted, add cheeses and milk. Keep stirring until cheese is melted. If it is too thick, add more milk.. if it's too thin, add more cheese.
You want it to be the consistency of the Blue Box stuff. Add salt, pepper, and paprika (optional). Stir well and serve immediately.
**If you save the leftovers, just refrigerate and when ready to eat–pop it in the microwave with a little milk, stirring every minute so it doesn’t dry out.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 521kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 25gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 931mgPotassium: 238mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1265IUCalcium: 615mgIron: 1mg
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