From simple weeknight dinners to fancy holiday meals, nothing beats this old fashioned, traditional Baked Mac and Cheese with Velveeta. It’s a classic, favorite comfort food everyone from adults to kids just love as a welcome side dish or as a hearty main course when paired with soup or salad.
Why This Recipe Works
- This is my go-to quick and easy mac and cheese recipe that I make literally all the time. Parties, dinner, holidays, it’s on our table constantly.
- My boys ADORE this recipe. It’s my youngest son’s all-time favorite pasta recipe ever.
- So easy. Just a few ingredients and barely any time to cook.
- Creamy, cheesy, flavorful, so tasty!
This Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Velveeta is a classic comfort food favorite the whole family will enjoy. This is my go-to, quick mac and cheese recipe that I make literally all the time. Parties, weeknight dinner, holidays, it’s on our table constantly. It’s my youngest son’s “all-time favorite pasta recipe ever.”
This classic recipe is comfort food at its very best, and it’s so easy to make. Cozy and comforting, creamy, cheesy, and easy! And so tasty! The addition of the Velveeta achieves the creamy texture without additional milk or cream.
This creamy homemade Velveeta Mac and Cheese is perfect as both a main dish or a side dish and an all-time family favorite and a huge hit for parties and potlucks.
Velveeta Mac and Cheese Ingredients
This delicious recipe is made with just a few simple, common ingredients.
Elbow macaroni – Boil the pasta 3 minutes shy of al dente. It will continue to cook in the oven, so you don’t want it fully cooked. I love replacing elbow macaroni with large elbow macaroni or rotini pasta.
Cheeses – Cheddar and mozzarella cheeses can be substituted with another melty variety such as muenster or gouda.
Velveeta – A little goes a long way and trust me. This “secret ingredient” adds to the deliciousness.
Butter – Go salted!
Parmesan cheese – I usually use grated, but shaved is delicious too.
How To Make Baked Mac and Cheese With Velveeta
This creamy mac and cheese comes together in mere minutes with just a few simple steps!
Step 1
Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Step 2
Cook pasta 3 minutes shy of al dente. If package instructions recommend 8 minutes of cook time, cook for no longer than 5 minutes.
Drain pasta and immediately add back to the pot. Add cheddar cheese, Velveeta and butter. Stir until the cheeses and butter have melted into a creamy cheese sauce.
Step 3
Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread in an even layer. Top with the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta.
Step 4
Bake until cheese is melted and the top is a nice golden brown around the edges.
Mac n Cheese Recipe Notes and Tips
- You can sub the pasta noodles for another pasta such as large shells, bowtie, or rotini pasta.
- Boil the pasta a few minutes shy of al dente. Nothing worse than mushy pasta in your mac and cheese.
- Add a layer of bread crumbs to the top of the mac and cheese before baking.
- Shred your own cheddar cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese for best melt.
- Make a batch ahead and freeze portions for later.
- Add all sorts of mix-ins! See my suggestions below.
Mac and Cheese Butter Substitute
There are all sorts of substitutes you can use for butter in your mac and cheese, including cream cheese, mayonnaise, olive oil, margarine or ghee, and more!
What To Add To Homemade Mac and Cheese
There are all sorts options for mix-ins for your mac and cheese, including:
Meats – Cooked bacon, ham, ground beef or turkey, diced or shredded chicken, diced steak bites.
Seafood – Shrimp, crab, and lobster meat all taste great in mac and cheese.
Vegetables – Broccoli, cauliflower, peas, corn, diced or stewed tomatoes, etc.
What To Serve With Mac and Cheese
Mac cheese is the perfect comfort food! But what goes with it?! Check out this roundup for a whole bunch of delicious ideas about what to serve alongside mac and cheese to create a complete, satisfying meal! Serve this cheesy mac with beef, chicken or seafood as a great side dish, or have it as a main meal with some soup or salad.
- Sloppy Joes sandwiches
- Pork ribs or pork chops
- Homemade Chicken Tenders
- Chopped salad or other green salads
- Meatloaf (In the oven or in an Instant Pot!)
- Meatballs
- Hashbrown casserole
- Chili
- Tomato soup
- Burgers
- Hot dogs, little smokies or pigs in a blanket
How to Store Leftover Macaroni and Cheese
Allow leftover mac and cheese to cool completely before covering and storing to avoid condensation and bacteria from forming.
In the Refrigerator – Place in an airtight container and store in the colder parts of your refrigerator. Eat within 3-5 days.
In the Freezer – Store mac and cheese in a freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. I like to freeze individual portion sizes so I can just grab what I need when I’m looking for a quick and easy dinner.
How To Make Leftover Mac and Cheese Creamy
Add a little whole milk, half and half, or heavy cream, about a teaspoon or two per serving, to the mac and cheese before reheating to bring it back to its full creaminess.
How to Reheat Leftover Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese leftovers are inevitable since most recipes make huge batches. Learn How To Reheat Mac n Cheese, while retaining moisture and flavor! Here are a couple of my top tips.
Oven – This is my preferred method. Place macaroni and cheese in an oven-safe dish and add a teaspoon of milk or cream. Cover with foil. Place in a preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
Microwave – Place the mac and cheese in a microwave safe dish and add a teaspoon or two of milk or water. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes. Stir, and heat again for 1 minute or until hot.
How Long Does Velveeta Last Unopened
Velveeta contains a high preservative content and has a long shelf life. When stored in its original packaging, in a dry place, out of sunlight and at room temperature, it will stay fresh for a long time.
Fresh unopened Kraft foods Velveeta cheese is safe to consume for at least six months past the packaging date that has been printed on the box.
Once opened, place the cheese in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil that has been secured in a plastic bag. Store in the fridge for up to eight weeks.
Since this only uses half of a package of Velveeta, you’ll need to store and use the rest another time! Here are some of my favorite delicious ideas and uses, you can find more in my How Long Does Velveeta Last post:
- Broccoli cheese soup
- Cheesy veggie soup
- Queso dip
- Chili cheese dogs
- Sausage cheese dip
- Topping for nachos
- Dip for soft pretzels
- Chili cheese fries
More Recipes Using Velveeta
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Baked Mac and Cheese With Velveeta Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 oz Velveeta cut into chunks
- 4 tbsp butter cut into chunks
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook the pasta in boiling water 3 minutes shy of al dente. If package directions recommend 8 minutes of cook time, cook for no longer than 5 minutes.
- Drain pasta and immediately add cheddar cheese, Velveeta and butter. Stir until cheeses and butter have melted.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Top with the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and the top is a nice golden brown around the edges.
Notes
- You can sub the pasta noodles for another pasta such as large shells, bowtie, or rotini pasta.
- Boil the pasta a few minutes shy of al dente. Nothing worse than mushy pasta in your mac and cheese.
- Add a layer of bread crumbs to the top of the mac and cheese before baking.
- Shred your own cheddar cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese for best melt.
- Make a batch ahead and freeze portions for later.
- Add all sorts of mix-ins! See my suggestions below.
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