Quick Fix: Velvety White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe

Creamy comfort food reaches new heights with this white cheddar mac and cheese recipe that promises pure indulgence.

Sharp and tangy white cheddar cheese melts into a luxurious sauce, coating every pasta curve with rich, silky goodness.

Perfectly cooked elbow macaroni provides the ideal canvas for this decadent dish.

Crispy breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the smooth, molten cheese.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients transform into an extraordinary meal that warms both body and soul.

Each forkful delivers a nostalgic yet sophisticated flavor profile that elevates the classic mac and cheese.

Gather your ingredients and prepare to experience mac and cheese like never before.

Cooking Directions for White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

• Boil Pasta Perfectly

Get a big pot of salty water bubbling and drop in your macaroni. Cook until it’s tender but still has a little bite. Drain and set aside.

• Create Silky Sauce Base

In the same pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk gently over medium heat until the mixture turns a soft golden color and looks puffy.

• Build Creamy Foundation

Pour warm milk slowly into the butter mixture, whisking constantly to keep everything smooth. Let it simmer and thicken up into a luxurious sauce.

• Melt Cheese Magic

Turn down the heat and stir in white cheddar. Add a dash of garlic powder, a pinch of salt, a crack of pepper, and a tiny hint of cayenne. Keep stirring until the cheese melts into a dreamy, velvety sauce.

• Marry Pasta and Sauce

Reunite your cooked pasta with the cheesy goodness. Toss everything together so each noodle gets a perfect coating of creamy deliciousness. Warm it up for an extra minute to bring all the flavors together.

Flavor Upgrades and Add-In Ideas

• Grate cheese yourself instead of using pre-shredded to ensure smoother, more even melting and prevent grainy texture.
• Prepare mac and cheese up to two days in advance, storing in refrigerator. Reheat gently with splash of milk to restore original creaminess.
• Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter on top and broil for 23 minutes for delightful golden-brown crunch.
• Add cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, or diced ham to transform this side dish into a hearty main course that satisfies bigger appetites.
• Replace regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, and use gluten-free pasta to make dish celiac-friendly without compromising rich, cheesy flavor.

Serving Suggestions for a Hearty Cheese Dish

• Comfort Food Companion: Pair this creamy mac and cheese with a crisp green salad to balance the richness and add fresh texture.
• Protein Power-Up: Top with grilled chicken strips or crispy bacon bits for a heartier meal that transforms the dish from side to main course.
• Crunch Factor: Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over the top for an irresistible golden, crunchy layer that adds delightful contrast to the smooth, velvety cheese sauce.
• Spice Lovers' Twist: Drizzle with hot sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes for those who enjoy an extra kick of heat and want to elevate the flavor profile.

Storage Tips to Keep Mac and Cheese Tasting Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the mac and cheese completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Portion the mac and cheese into individual freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently with a splash of milk to restore creamy texture.
• Warm in the microwave with short 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst. Alternatively, use the stovetop on low heat, adding a tablespoon of milk to revive the sauce's smoothness.
• Double the recipe and create make-ahead meals. Separate into meal-prep containers for quick lunches or dinners during busy weekdays. Label containers with the date to track freshness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Shopping List

• Macaroni: Tender tubes perfect for trapping creamy cheese sauce, choose high-quality pasta with ridged texture for better sauce absorption.
• Salt: Enhances pasta's natural flavor, crucial for building foundational taste in the dish.

• Butter: Creates rich, silky base for roux, select unsalted for precise flavor control.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens sauce and provides smooth texture, essential for classic mac and cheese consistency.
• Whole Milk: Delivers creamy, luxurious foundation, opt for fresh, full-fat milk for maximum richness.
• Heavy Cream: Adds decadent smoothness, choose high-quality cream for superior texture.

• White Cheddar Cheese: Star ingredient providing sharp, tangy profile, select aged cheddar for deeper, more complex flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Adds subtle aromatic warmth, ensures even seasoning throughout dish.
• Salt: Balances and elevates overall taste, use kosher or sea salt for clean seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Introduces gentle heat and complexity, freshly ground offers most vibrant flavor.
• Cayenne Pepper: Delivers subtle background kick, use sparingly for gentle warmth.

Tools That Help Stir, Melt, and Mix Smoothly

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta and making cheese sauce.
• Whisk: Perfect for mixing roux and creating smooth, lump-free sauce.
• Colander: Needed to drain cooked pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for accurately measuring milk, cream, and flour.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring pasta and combining ingredients.
• Cheese grater: Recommended for shredding fresh white cheddar cheese.

Velvety White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy white cheddar mac and cheese delivers comfort in every delectable bite, promising rich, velvety goodness. Cheese lovers will savor this classic dish that blends sharp cheddar with perfectly cooked pasta for ultimate satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ½ cups white cheddar cheese (shredded, sharp)
• 12 oz (340 g) elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
• 2 cups whole milk (warm)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt (more to taste)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook macaroni until perfectly tender. Drain and reserve.
2. Roux Creation: Return to the same pot and gently melt butter over medium heat. Incorporate flour, whisking continuously until the mixture transforms into a light golden, frothy base.
3. Sauce Development: Gradually introduce warm milk and cream, stirring meticulously to prevent lumping. Simmer until the sauce thickens and reaches a luxurious consistency.
4. Cheese Infusion: Reduce heat and fold in white cheddar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir until the cheese melts completely, creating a silky, uniform sauce.
5. Final Fusion: Reintroduce cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring every pasta piece is generously coated. Warm briefly to meld flavors and serve immediately.

Notes

• Monitor pasta closely during boiling to achieve perfect al dente texture, which prevents mushy mac and cheese.
• Whisk milk and cream gradually into roux to eliminate lumps, creating a silky, professional-quality cheese sauce.
• Remove pot from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and maintain a creamy, velvety consistency.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like gruyere or sharp cheddar, or add crispy bacon bits for extra depth and crunch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg