Velveeta Down-Home Macaroni and Cheese

4.5
(196)

Use Velveeta in this mac and cheese recipe for the perfect balance of cheesy and creamy. The search ends here. Stir in 1/4 cup bacon bits with the cooked macaroni to take this dish over the top.

mid angle looking at a bowl filled with macaroni and cheese
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
5
This Recipes is a Winner! This recipe was voted one of the Best Recipes of 2023 by our community.

Down home Velveeta Mac and Cheese served in a red casserole dish

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

This easy Velveeta mac and cheese recipe is sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings.

How to Make Velveeta Mac and Cheese

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Velveeta Mac and Cheese Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this macaroni and cheese with Velveeta: 

  • Cooking spray: Spray your casserole dish with cooking spray so it doesn’t stick.  
  • Flour and butter: This Velveeta mac and cheese recipe starts with a simple roux of all-purpose flour and butter. 
  • Milk: A cup of milk is essential for this smooth and velvety cheese sauce. 
  • Velveeta: Of course, you’ll need Velveeta! Cutting the block into cubes ensures even melting. 
  • Macaroni: You’ll need two cups of cooked elbow macaroni. 
  • Cheddar: Sprinkle Cheddar cheese over macaroni mixture.
  • Crackers: A buttery crushed Ritz cracker topping adds welcome crunch. 

How to Make Mac and Cheese With Velveeta

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this Velveeta mac and cheese recipe: 

  1. Make a roux with flour and butter, then stir in the milk. 
  2. Once the sauce is thickened, stir in the Velveeta and cooked macaroni. 
  3. Transfer to a prepared baking dish. Top with Cheddar, melted butter, and crackers.
  4. Bake the macaroni and cheese until heated through. 

Recipe Tip

Switch things up with fun mix-ins like bacon, ham, shredded chicken, broccoli, sliced olives, peas, jalapeños, and/or tomatoes. 

How to Store Velveeta Mac and Cheese

Store your leftover Velveeta mac and cheese in an airtight container for up to five days. Reheat in the microwave or stove. If you’re worried about it drying out during the reheating process, stir in a dash of milk. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“Perfect as-is,” raves one Allrecipes community member. “This is my go-to for making homemade mac and cheese. I have 6 kids aged 10-18 and they love it. I double the recipe to make a 9x13 pan.”

“I made this just as directed except instead of putting crackers, on the top I used French’s fried onions,” according to SandyMom. “We loved it and I am making it for a Christmas party because I know it will be a hit!”

“The only change I made to the recipe was to increase measurements for a bigger batch,” says Brian Lippa. “Turned out fantastic. Added bacon but was thinking kielbasa sausage would work well too.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 5 servings

  • cooking spray

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • ¼ cup flour

  • 1 cup milk

  • ½ pound Velveeta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

  • ½ cup Kraft shredded Cheddar cheese

  • 6 Ritz crackers, crushed

  • 5 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.

  2. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook and stir for 2 minutes.

    Overhead shot of a pan with flour and butter being cooked for macaroni and cheese

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Gradually stir in milk and bring to boil; cook and stir until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes.

    Overhead shot of a pan with milk being whisked into a butter and flour roux to make béchamel

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Add Velveeta; cook and stir until melted, about 3 minutes. Stir in cooked macaroni.

    Overhead shot of a pan with cheese sauce being stirred together with macaroni

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Spoon mixture into the prepared dish; sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Mix melted butter and cracker crumbs until combined; sprinkle over casserole.

    High angle shot of a baking dish with macaroni and cheese ready to be cooked in the oven

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 20 minutes.

    High angle shot of baked macaroni and cheese in a serving dish

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

480 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

498 Calories
35g Fat
30g Carbs
16g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 5
Calories 498
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 21g 107%
Cholesterol 100mg 33%
Sodium 964mg 42%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 16g 31%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 367mg 28%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 269mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.