Description
Comfort cuisine reaches new heights with this irresistible Mac and Cheese, blending rich, velvety cheeses into a golden-crusted casserole. Guaranteed to satisfy your deepest cravings, each forkful promises pure, cheesy indulgence that brings warmth and happiness to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) Cellentani Noodles or Macaroni Noodles
- 8 ounces (227 grams) Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces (113 grams) Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces (227 grams) Velveeta Cheese, cubed
- 12 ounces (340 milliliters) Evaporated Milk
Dairy and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 stick (113 grams) Salted Butter, softened and cubed
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) Sour Cream
Spices:
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a large saucepan for boiling pasta until al dente.
- Shred the sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, then carefully cube the Velveeta into uniform pieces.
- Heat evaporated milk in a small saucepan over medium temperature, gradually melting the Velveeta cubes while stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce.
- Drain the cooked pasta and transfer to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Remove the melted cheese sauce from heat and incorporate sour cream, butter, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika into the warm noodles.
- Fold half of the shredded cheese varieties into the seasoned pasta mixture.
- Gently pour the Velveeta milk sauce over the noodles, stirring to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheeses across the top of the mac and cheese for a golden, crispy finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the surface turns golden and the edges become bubbly.
- Allow the mac and cheese to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the sauce set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Customize cheese types by swapping sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack with your favorite varieties like Gruyère, fontina, or gouda for unique flavor profiles.
- Prevent dry mac and cheese by using full-fat dairy products and avoiding overcooking, which helps maintain a creamy, smooth texture.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives like chickpea or rice pasta, ensuring the same delicious comfort food experience.
- Enhance nutritional value by incorporating roasted vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, or spinach into the mac and cheese for added nutrients and color.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg