What Youll Need For This Recipe
- The cheeses: Sharp cheddar cheese, smoked gouda cheese, pepper jack cheese, and velveeta . All four cheeses play a different role.
- Elbow macaroni pasta: As mentioned above, elbow macaroni, is the holy grail staple of southern baked mac and cheese. This isnt up for a debate, argue with someone else if youd like, thank you kindly.
- Butter: Listen, if you see a baked mac and cheese recipe that does not call for butter, run for the hills! Butter is an essential fat needed for richness, flavor, and to keep a level of moisture within the mac. > > #butterbeready
- Flour: For this recipe, Im using a classic béchamel cheese sauce as the base flour is used in the creation of the sauce and gets combined with the butter.
- Milk and half-and-half: These are the two liquid components within the cheese sauce. Both ingredients add a level of richness and creaminess.
- Spices: salt, pepper, ground mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of cayenne pepper . Yes, even macaroni and cheese gets seasoned because bland mac is offensive.
How To Make Velveeta Shells And Cheese With Ground Beef:
Velveeta Hamburger Helper makes the pasta shells taste better wrapping the cooked and seasoned ground beef and pasta into melted cheese.
This Velveeta Shells and Cheese with Ground Beef is easier to make when you have your Velveeta in hand. Other options you may try are Kraft Shells and Cheese recipes.
However, recipes using Velveeta Shells and Cheese are quicker solutions for your lunch or dinner. Lets check what other ingredients we need for making Velveeta Shells and Cheese with Ground Beef besides the Velveeta.
How To Make Mac And Cheese
To make mac and cheese youll follow a few simple steps to achieve perfect, ooey gooey homemade mac and cheese! Some of the cooking is done on the stove top before it is baked .
How Long to Bake Mac and Cheese? Mac and cheese should be baked just until hot and bubbly, about 20-25 minutes. Overbaking will cause a dry mac and cheese.
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Copycat Velveeta Shells And Cheese
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Remember when I teased you with this photo on Instagram and Facebook?
I know, it was mean to make you wait so long for the recipe. But trust me, this one was well worth the wait.
I honestly wasnt sure if I would be able to successfully recreate Velveeta Shells and Cheese without all of the suspicious ingredients . I have some pretty strong childhood memories connected to the stuff many an evening was spent at my best friends house, eating shells and cheese and watching trashy reality TV.
And yet, success! I promise you this tastes just like the boxed version. Even better, you need only 4 ingredients and the time it will take you to cook your pasta. Seriously, thats it! Couldnt be easier. Trust me, this one is going to go into your permanent easy dinner rotation.
Head on over to Food Fanatic to grab the recipe!
How Do You Make Velveeta Shells & Cheese
Start by adding water to a large pot with a dash of salt then bring to a boil over high heat and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Add the pasta and cook 5-7 minutes until al dente then drain and place the pasta back into the pot.
While preparing the pasta, you can make the sauce. Add the butter to the medium saucepan and melt over medium high heat.
Next, add the flour and whisk to form a roux then add the heavy cream, milk and pepper.
Whisk until blended then gradually add the cubed Velveeta cheese. Stir until all of the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth then pour into the cooked pasta and mix well. It will be soupy looking.
Pour the pasta into the casserole dish then make the topping. Add the Ritz Crackers to a mini food processor, pulse until fine and add to a small bowl.
Next, add the melted butter to the crumbs, mix well then spread on top of the macaroni and cheese.
Place in the oven and cook 15-20 minutes until the cheese is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
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How To Get Creamy Baked Mac And Cheese
I took to my socials to ask many of you what questions and comments you had as it relates to all things baked mac and cheese. The results? The number one question submitted had something to do with how to keep or get baked mac and cheese super creamy. This is honestly a loaded question as there are a few different elements involved.
The cheeses, the liquids used, and the fat within your baked mac all play a part in the final results. There is a lot of richness within this recipe that will produce a creamy and decadent baked macaroni and cheese product.
How To Make Creamy Baked Mac And Cheese
So, yes, you may not want to substitute Velveeta for all your cheese needs. However, when creamy macaroni and cheese casserole calls your name, grab a box!
Velveeta mac and cheese recipe is more forgiving than other versions of baked mac and cheese. Since grated cheese isnt included in the sauce, theres no worry about the mac and cheese becoming grainy or seized.
The roux, which is a mixture of butter and flour, provides the base for the cheese sauce. Slowly whisk in the milk and allow it to come to a boil and thicken. Then lower heat to stir in the Velveeta.
The cheese slowly melts into a creamy sauce ready to toss with cooked pasta. Transfer the pasta to a casserole dish and bake in the oven.
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Velveeta Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe With Bread Crumbs
Bobby states:
This can be a quite simple, quick, and scrumptious Mac-n-Cheese recipe. The portions here were ample in my group of five . Have left overs. I might try rather less milk the next time just to find out if it’ll come out having a more cheesy flavor. I love to give a little salt and lots of 7pepper. Before I managed to get, I melted sharp cheddar outrageous. Marvelous!
Whitley states:
I added some extra cheese, and a few bacon bits towards the cheese sauce, then used Ritz crumbs on the top after which put a bit more bacon bits on the top from the crumbs. It arrived on the scene AMAZING!
Tiffany states:
Used this recipe since i have thought it was forever ago! Love love like it! Works out so awesome! Deff a household favorite 🙂
Eric states:
Great recipe. I designed a couple of minor changes. Rather of Velveeta I made use of Parmesan. Rather of macaroni I made use of arborio grain. No milk. I added garlic clove, shallots and white-colored wine. Best Risotto I have ever endured!
Robert states:
A great recipe! A lot of methods to prepare! I made use of less milk plus I additionally substituted dairy milk for coconut milk! I used 12 oz of Velveeta and also the coconut milk made the dish pop!
MaKayla states:
Mrs. Vogel states:
Homemade Cheese Sauce For Broccoli
This is what I used it on most of all. I love this green veggie but yes I do believe that cheddar cheese sauce just makes everything better. These are the 3 ways we make it and then smother this goodness all over the top:
You will want a food processor to blend this all together. If you dont have one just use a blender instead, that will work.
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Veggie Mac And Cheese
If you want to feel better about your indulgent mac and cheese, add some vegetables to the dish and kill two birds with one stone. Veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and peas pair surprisingly well with mac and cheese, and this recipe from Momables shows you one way to combine them. You can feed veggie mac and cheese to yourself and your loved ones with zero guilt, and this recipe takes one box of mac and cheese and serves 4 to 6, so you even get your moneys worth.
Ingredients:
- 1 box natural or organic macaroni and cheese
- 1 package reduced-sodium chicken broth/stock
- 1 bag frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot blend
- ¼ cup whole milk or half and half
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions: Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Bring the broth to a boil over high heat in a saucepan. Add the vegetables, cooking until tender, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the cooked macaroni and cheese to the veggies and broth, add the milk and cheese. Stir well to combine until the cheese is melted, turn off the heat, and serve.
Leftover Macaroni And Cheese
This easy mac and cheese is great when freshly made and is also perfect to reheat for lunches throughout the week!
Store it covered in the refrigerator and it will last up to 5 days! Add a splash of milk and heat over medium-low heat until warmed. If using the microwave, reheat on 70% power stirring occasionally.
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Add Extra Wraps When Storing Cheese
When you want a longer-lasting cheese, you need to give an extra pack for the cheese. Because cheese that has been wrapped in paper is still possible to become dry and hard if left too long. It is at this time of need that plastic wrap can be used.
The way is, the cheese that has been wrapped in paper is put in a plastic bag that can be closed. However, dont get too tight in closing it. Open a little of the plastic to make room for air when storing cheese.
It can also be done to prevent the smell of cheese from spreading throughout the refrigerator when the cheese rots or also prevents the cheese from absorbing odors from other foods in the refrigerator.
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How To Make Homemade Mac And Cheese With Velveeta
1. Cook the pasta. You want it to be firm and al dente and not too soft and mushy. Boil it for no longer than 6 minutes and drain well.
2. Make the roux and the sauce. Whisk together the flour and butter until pasty. Gradually whisk in the milk and in just a few minutes, the mixture will turn into a thick sauce. Add the Velveeta cubes and stir until melted.
3. Assemble the casserole. Toss the cooked noodles in the sauce and transfer the mixture into a casserole. Top with shredded cheese and crushed Ritz.
4. Bake. Just 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or just until the topping turns golden brown.
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Velveeta Mac N Cheese Ingredients
- 3 cups elbow macaroni
- Stir over low to medium heat until cheese has melted.
- Season with salt and pepper as desired.
This recipe reheats in the microwave well too. So you can make a bigger batch if you want and enjoy the leftovers.
If youre facing a busy family week, its a great way to make sure that you have something easy to pull out for dinner! We rarely have a complaint when its on the menu here either as a main dish or a side dish!
Velveeta Shells And Cheese
A box of store-bought Velveeta shells and cheese is a great pantry staple and an easy shortcut for quick lunches or sides, but you truly can’t beat the rich taste and creamy texture of these homemade shells and cheese! When you’ve got a few extra minutes to spare, a pot of shell mac and cheese comes together on the stovetop with very little effort. As a vegetarian main course or as a hearty side, everyone at the table will love this simple, comforting dish!
With three different types of cheese in the homemade sauce, a hint of garlic in the background, and plenty of toasted breadcrumbs on top, the mac and cheese shells recipe is so much better than its boxed counterpart! Jazz it up with leftover taco meat, rotisserie chicken, or diced ham add vegetables like peas and carrots, broccoli, or diced tomatoes or mix in fresh herbs like thyme, chives, or basil for a sophisticated touch. Take the base and make it your own!
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When To Make This Recipe
Alright, this is a silly question but I wanted to elaborate on the significance of baked mac and cheese. While many cultures indulge in this deliciousness, this is a recipe that holds huge weight within Black culture specifically.
You will usually find this staple on the table for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Juneteenth celebrations, potlucks, family reunions, family dinners, funeral receptions, and everything in between. Baked mac and cheese to the Black community is a true love storyjust like it is with collard greens
Hope yall enjoy this recipe! Big thanks to my friends over at Sur La Table of whom I was commissioned to develop this recipe for. Im also using that gorgeous Le Creuset Heritage Covered Baker sold exclusively at SLT
How To Make Stovetop Mac And Cheese
Stovetop mac and cheese is great because its ready faster than the baked version.
Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
For the Cheese Sauce:
This macaroni is boiled directly in the milk/water mixture. The amount of liquid needed can vary based on the type of pasta and even varies from brand to brand. Add more water 1/4 cup at a time if needed until the noodles are tender.
Before you add the cheese in, you will want to make sure there is some liquid in the bottom of the pot before you add the cheese as this is what creates the sauce.
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New Ways To Eat Boxed Macaroni And Cheese
Boxed mac and cheese is good on its own, but when you add a few things to the mix, it becomes especially delicious, and even sometimes nutritious. The carbs and cheese pair well with greens, meat, and other complements, and they prove that boxed macaroni and cheese can serve as a blank slate to create a new cheap, easy, and cheesy masterpiece. Were highlighting seven ways to get it done. Whether you want to bulk up your mac and cheese to make it more indulgent, more healthy, or more meaty, youll find a recipe on this list for you. Pull out your favorite box of mac and cheese and get ready to upgrade.
How To Make Velveeta Mac And Cheese
This super easy homemade recipe can be baked or made on the stovetop. It can even be assembled in advance and stored in the fridge until its time for the oven!
This easy casserole dish is a full meal in itself but it delicious served with garlic bread and a caesar salad on the side.
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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.
Best Velveeta Shells And Cheese Bake Recipes
Hamburger and Shells Casserole Yummly. garlic powder, shredded mozzarella cheese, salt, water, medium pasta shells and 7 more. Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese Bake Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks. cayenne, black pepper, panko breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese and 8 more.
You can also freeze the macaroni and cheese after step 5 for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then continue with step 6. Add about 5 minutes to bake time. You can also freeze the fully baked macaroni and cheese for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 400°F for 40 minutes.
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