Velveeta Mac and Cheese

This classic stovetop to oven Velveeta Mac & Cheese recipe is creamy and cheesy due to the Velveeta cheese and has a delicious crispy Panko breadcrumb topping.

Mac and cheese always seems to be a favorite dish, especially for kids.

For an extra creamy and cheesy version, try this baked Velveeta mac and cheese recipe.

It has smooth and silky Velveeta combined with cheddar that is made into a rich cheese sauce that smothers the noodles.

Velveeta Mac & Cheese

This recipe comes together quickly, which is perfect for busy weeknights.

It's a crowd-pleaser any time of the year, but is especially loved during the colder months when we are craving something warm and filling.

It's great for busy weeknight, potlucks, or a lazy weekend at home.

Ingredients for Homemade Mac & Cheese with Velveeta

Macaroni- Elbow pasta holds sauce well and bakes up creamy. Any short pasta shape like penne or cavatappi works too.

Butter- I used unsalted butter.

Flour

Milk- Low fat or whole milk both work. I prefer to use whole.

Velveeta- Cut into cubes before adding.

Cheddar cheese

Breadcrumbs- Provides a delicious crunchy topping.

How to Make Velveeta Mac and Cheese Recipe

Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until just tender. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 2 quart casserole dish.

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly until thickened.

Add Velveeta and stir until fully melted.

Pour cheesy sauce over cooked macaroni in prepared dish and stir to coat. Top with cheddar cheese.

In a small bowl, stir together melted butter and panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle mixture evenly over cheese layer.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and top is golden brown.

Enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best Baked Mac and Cheese with Velveeta

Here are some tips for making delicious macaroni and cheese with Velveeta:

• Cook pasta one minute less than the package suggests for perfect al dente texture.
• Use a box grater to quickly shred cheddar cheese.
• Cook cheese sauce on stove while pasta is cooking to save time.
• You can top with crushed potato chips or Ritz crackers in place of breadcrumbs.
• Bake casserole sprinkled with extra cheese then run under broiler for a bubblier brown top.
• For a one-pan weeknight meal, cook pasta right in cheese sauce on the stovetop.

Leftovers

If you have leftover Velveeta mac and cheese, here is how to save it for later.

Cool completely then cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

For longer storage, portion leftovers into freezer-safe containers and freeze for 2-3 months.

One thing I used to do when we had the freezer space was make a double batch of mac and cheese. Instead of baking both batches, I'd only bake one and stick the other in the freezer for a meal later.

I'd pull out my frozen mac and cheese the night before I wanted to bake it and stick it in the fridge. It wasn't always totally defrosted by the time I was cooking the next day, but I kept an eye on it while cooking and would add more time as needed. If it was starting to brown at all, I'd cover it with foil while it was baking. Once it was heated through, I'd pull off the foil and finish baking it.

What to Pair Velveeta Mac and Cheese With

If you're wondering about what to pair with this Velveeta mac & cheese, here are some yummy options:

• Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• Garlic Bread
• Green Salad
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Roasted Asparagus
• Corn on the Cob
• Coleslaw
• Dinner Rolls