What Is Velveeta Cheese
Technically Velveeta isnt cheese. I know! Its imposter cheese trying to fool us. But damn, does it make some good, creamy mac and cheese.
According to organicuthority.com, Velveeta used to be made of cheese but today is made with whey protein concentrate and milk protein. The FDA took notice, and told the company to take cheese spread off the package.
Kraft obliged and Velveeta became Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product. The label changed, but not its original appeal with home cooks- an ultra creamy cheese that melts smoothly.
How To Make A Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe
This homemade mac and cheese is an ideal side dish that you can prep ahead for special holidays like Thanksgiving or for large family suppers. Assemble it in advance and keep it in the fridge for a couple of days! You can also serve the mac and cheese as a main course for dinner. Throw in some shredded chicken or diced ham, add veggies like steamed broccoli or frozen peas, and youve got a delicious and satisfying meal in one pan. The simple, old-fashioned combination of pasta and cheese is always crowd-pleasing!
More Cheesy Pasta Recipes Youll Love
- Creamy Sausage Pastaâ Italian sausage and noodles swimming in a creamy, tangy rosa sauce.
- Fettuccine Alfredoâ a creamy, cheesy alfredo, made without flour!
- Chicken Alfredo Lasagnaâ a creamy twist on classic lasagna made with chicken, alfredo sauce, and spinach.
- Bacon Cheddar Bow Tiesâ bacon, cheddar, and pasta, all in one dish. Need I say more?
- Swedish Meatball Mac and Cheese â a fun twist on traditional mac and cheese by combining it with my Swedish familyâs meatball recipe.
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Tips For The Best Mac And Cheese No Roux No Flour
- Never use pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in corn starch that keeps it from clumping. However, it also keeps the cheese from melting smooth and creamy. Using a box grater makes shredding easy!
- Taste before adding salt. Cheese is loaded with sodium and sometimes you dont need extra added to recipes that contain a lot of cheese.
- Use full-fat cream cheese. Low fat or fat-free cream cheese doesnt melt well. Its clumpy and just will not yield a creamy sauce.
- Watch carefully. Any time you make a white sauce or cheese sauce you need to babysit it. Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan on medium-low to low heat. As well, keep your eye on it and stir the sauce frequently while it cooks so it does not burn or stick.
- Cook the pasta to al dente. You do not want to cook it until its mushy.
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Expert Tips For Making The Best Baked Mac And Cheese
- Measure out the flour, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl first. As soon as the butter melts, throw the flour mixture in the pot. You wont risk burning the butter while measuring ingredients.
- Dont over cook the macaroni! Boil till just about al dente. The macaroni will finish cooking in the oven once its assembled.
- Cutting the cheese in small cubes helps it melt quicker and smoothly blend in the hot milk.
- Experiment with different cheese toppings. Throw on pepper jack for a spicy kick, blue cheese for tang, or Havarti for extra creaminess.
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Cheese Please: Adding An Egg To Your Mac And Cheese
If youre looking for a recipe thats going to bring out that cheese flavor in mac and cheese, try this one because adding an egg makes it creamier and smoother. If youre looking for something a little more traditional, try grenelle, gruyere, ouija, or parmesan cheeses, whereas if youre looking for something a little more decadent, try Brie.
Mac And Cheese Variations
Add your own personal twist to mac and cheese to make the dish your own!
- While its in the name of the dish itself, you dont need to limit the pasta to elbow macaroni. Feel free to use other small-shelled pasta such as fusilli, ziti, penne, rigatoni, etc.
- You can also use large elbow macaroni so that all that cheesy goodness permeates inside the shells.
- If you want a cheesier sauce, just add more cheese to it. It can be any kind of melted cheese. It doesnt have to be just Velveeta. Im talking cheddar, Swiss, gouda, cream cheese, you name it.
- Whether youre not a fan of Ritz or just dont have the crackers on hand, you can replace it with crushed French onions or croutons. Basically, anything crunchy works!
- Make your mac and cheese more substantial and flavorful with ham, bacon, mushrooms, and onions.
- Spice it up with red chili flakes, sriracha, jalapenos, or hot sauce.
- Make the topping extra crunchy and mouthwatering with bacon crumbles.
- Pressed for time? Thats totally fine! Just skip the oven and enjoy the mac and cheese right after tossing the noodles and cheddar cheese in the sauce.
- Want a fall-themed mac and cheese? Stir in 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree to give the sauce an autumnal flavor.
- Add ground beef, minced onions, and tomato paste to make cheeseburger mac and cheese. Thats 2 comfort foods in one!
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Why Is My Mac And Cheese Grainy
I find using Velveeta avoids problems with seized, curdled mac and cheese. Here are some tips for avoiding grainy mac and cheese.
Is Mac And Cheese A Side Or Main Dish
You can enjoy it as both actually. It makes a quick one-pot main dish, especially when you serve it with a fresh green salad and garlic bread.
Velveeta macaroni and cheese is also an excellent side for any and all protein. Think roasted turkey, glazed ham, pork roast, chicken drumsticks, or even meatballs.
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Homemade Mac And Cheese With Velveeta
Homemade mac and cheese with Velveeta is one of those comforting meals that will please everyone at the table. Its a glorious dish full of hearty pasta, gooey, cheesy sauce, and a buttery, crispy topping. It really ticks all the boxes!
Sure, boxed mac and cheese is good, but it cant hold a candle to this Velveeta mac and cheese recipe. Its an easy, creamy pasta recipe, perfect for the holidays, potlucks, and BBQs. And since its so quick and simple, you can prepare it even as an effortless midweek dinner.
Im sharing loads of tips and tricks to make the perfect mac n cheese with Velveeta. But if you just want the instructions fast, or tap the Jump-To-Recipe button at the top of the page to go straight to the recipe card.
Looking for more Velveeta cheese recipes? Some of our other favorites are Velveeta Hamburger Helper and this tasty Velveeta Cheese Sauce.
Why Do You Want Mac And Cheese Without Flour
If you need to avoid flour for dietary reasons, then you should skip down to the section on making macaroni and cheese without flour. Based on the 20 recipes I reviewed you have a few good options available to you.
But if youre avoiding flour because youve previously struggled with making your cheese sauce, Id encourage you to read on. With attention to a few tips its not hard to master, and a good white sauce really will make your mac and cheese beautifully smooth and creamy.
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Notes On Creamy Baked Macaroni And Cheese
- The original recipe for this macaroni and cheese recipe comes from Patti Labelle. She is a beast in the kitchen so no surprise that its so good. Elgin did make modifications by doubling the cheese and substituting whipping cream for half& half.
- I modified the recipe as well by creating a crunchy topping, increasing the heat by 25 degrees. I also subbed colbyjack/monterey cheese for just monterey. Feel free to leave the panko topping off if you choose but I feel its a must in a baked macaroni and cheese recipe.
- This recipe has 5 types of cheese. Yes, 5 different kinds of cheese. The amount of cheese will scare you at first but believe me, its necessary and makes this dish delicious.
- Is this recipe healthy? Probably notbut who cares becauseCHEEEEEEEESE.
- Id recommend keeping the cheeses the same as statedeven the Velveeta. The beauty of this is that all the cheese melts and tastes perfect. There is a science to melting cheese.
Looking for more Recipes for the Holidays??? Try these out:
Watch Me Make This Southern Baked Macaroni And Cheese From Start To Finish
Im pretty sure you all know how hard it is to find a good, southern, soul food style baked macaroni and cheese recipe, right?
People tend to keep a tight grasp on their prized macaroni & cheese recipes, but not in my family. We share our favorite recipes like they are going on out of style! Aint no sense in taking recipes to the grave is how my grandmother sees it.
Well, imagine my shock when my sister sashayed in on Thanksgiving and casually placed this baked macaroni & cheese on the table. I could have sworn I had all of my family members baked mac n cheese recipes.
What was this impostor all about! The proof was in the taste. I had one plates of this macaroni and cheese and was on her heels like ash in the wintertime trying to get this recipe.
My husband took a bite and said, um, you need to take your mac n cheese recipe off your blog and put this one up. This one is way better than yours!
THANKS A LOT, MATTYoull pay for that comment dearly! lol
Yall this baked macaroni and cheese is FULL OF SOUL!! That is the first thing that came to mind when I took that first bite. Usually, Im not that into mac and cheese recipes that involve Velveeta, but this one.yeah, this one gets a pass!
I just love how that top layer of smoked cheese forms like a crust. Its super creamy, flavorful, and easy. The MVP is definitely that SMOKED CHEDDAR! Good God, I couldnt stop eating this stuff.
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Easy Macaroni And Cheese Ingredients
You only need four pantry staples for this macaroni and cheese recipe!
- Pasta I use macaroni or elbow noodles, but you can use any pasta here like penne, bowtie, or fun shapes!
- American cheese
Thats IT! This quick and easy macaroni and cheese is a great weeknight side dish, or it can be dressed up with bacon, broccoli, pulled pork, or chicken to make it a meal!
Best Cheese For Mac And Cheese
The only requirement, really, is for the cheese to be melted. Other than that, anything goes!
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Its a matter of personal taste, but in case youre looking for inspiration, here are my favorite cheeses to use for mac and cheese, aside from Velveeta.
- Any Kind of Cheddar Mild, medium, sharp, extra sharp, white, Vermont, New York-style, take your pick.
- Mozzarella Its more stretchy and gooey than melty, but it makes mac and cheese extra special, nonetheless.
- Blue cheese If youre a fan of bold flavors, this cheese is perfect for you. Just dont add too much, though, as blue cheese really does have a strong taste.
- Gruyere This cheese will make the sauce extra smooth and velvety with nutty and earthy flavors.
- Smoked Gouda Its ideal if you want a hint of smokiness to your mac and cheese.
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Baked Mac And Cheese With Velveeta And Bread Crumbs
Baked mac and cheese with velveeta and bread crumbs is a dish that is sure to please any cheese lover. The velveeta gives the mac and cheese a smooth and creamy texture, while the bread crumbs provide a crunchy contrast. This dish can be served as a main course or as a side dish, and is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
The baked mac and cheese with bread crumb recipe is one of my favorites. Ive been dreaming about making this homemade recipe for quite some time, as Ive taken many Cracker Barrel trips. Chick-Fil-As macaroni and cheese comes in a tangy flavor that is rich and creamy. This is more of a personal preference, so youll need some pointers if you want a more homemade version. When you use a Dutch oven or cast iron skillet, you can make baked mac and cheese a little easier. Making Mac and cheese with Velveeta and American cheese is the best way to do it. Some cheeses, on the other hand, melt more slowly and can become chunky in your cheese sauce.
Whats it Cookin It, My Pinterventures, and My Menu Plan Monday? Melt butter in a Dutch oven or deep dish cast iron pan over medium heat. When the cheese is thoroughly melted, add American cheese. Then, in addition to cooked macaroni, sour cream should be added. The top should be topped with breadcrumbs. The baking time should be reduced to 15-20 minutes if you are going to bake uncovered.
Baked Velveeta Mac And Cheese
Published: by heather · This post may contain affiliate links
Need a no fail, delicious mac and cheese recipe? This baked Velveeta mac and cheese recipe is always a hit and has a secret ingredient that sets it apart from all the rest.
Baked mac and cheese is a comfort food that is loved by just about everyone. This baked pasta recipe includes the addition of nutmeg. It adds a bit of warmth and is commonly used in béchamel sauces which is the base for this mac and cheese recipe.
Creamy, cheesy, and oh so good, you and your family are sure to enjoy this recipe.
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How To Reheat Mac And Cheese
Velveeta Mac and Cheese is super easy to store, freeze, and reheat, too!
- To Store: Scoop mac and cheese into a zippered bag or a container with a tightly fitting lid. Keep refrigerated until ready to reheat.
- To Freeze: Use an airtight container but be sure to label the zippered bag or container with the date. Frozen mac and cheese should keep in the freezer about two months.
- To Reheat: Pop in the microwave or heat up on the stovetop. Add a little bit of milk to loosen it up and dont forget to refresh the flavors with a dash of salt and pepper!
Do You Need To Bake Mac And Cheese
Creamy mac and cheese recipes that start with a roux-based sauce , do not need to be baked before serving. A creamy stovetop mac and cheese recipe is designed to go straight from the pot to the plate no oven necessary. You could also serve this mac and cheese without baking it will just be really saucy. By contrast, Southern-style mac and cheese recipes must be baked in order to cook the egg and help the dish set.
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How To Make Southern Mac And Cheese
Time needed: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
How to make Southern Mac and Cheese
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-in. baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions and drain. Rinse the noodles with cold water to cool and stop the cooking process and allow them to drain.
Place the Velveeta and the milk into a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until the cheese is melted, stirring often. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Crack the eggs into a small bowl and whisk until combined. Add a scoop of the cheese sauce to the eggs to temper them, whisking well as you add the cheese sauce. Quickly add the egg mixture to the remainder of the cheese sauce in the pan, whisking until well combined.
Place half of the macaroni into the prepared pan. Season with salt and pepper. Slice half of the stick of butter into thin pieces and place the butter pats evenly on top of the macaroni. Sprinkle half of the Cheddar and half of the Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top. Ladle or pour half of the cheese sauce evenly over the top. Repeat the layers macaroni, salt and pepper, butter, Cheddar, and Monterey Jack, cheese sauce.
Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly and the top is lightly browned.