Velveeta mac and cheese is rich, creamy, and so incredibly cheesy that your whole family will love it every time it's served with dinner! It is a one-pot side dish that takes practically no effort to make! Plus, it is ready to enjoy in less than 20 minutes!
Easy Velveeta Macaroni & Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a staple side dish in my house. It pairs well with practically everything and my whole family loves it! I'm always on the lookout for trying out new twists for this classic recipe.
This Velveeta mac and cheese is extra easy to prepare since it uses a block of Velveeta! Plus, it only takes one pot to make it, so cleanup will be super quick!
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🥘 Velveeta Mac and Cheese Ingredients
There are minimal ingredients required for this easy side dish! Feel free to swap out the milk for some heavy cream or half & half for an extra rich and creamy flavor!
- Milk - 1½ cups of milk that has been divided into 1 cup and ½ cup portions (*see note).
- Water - 1½ cups of water.
- Onion Powder - ½ teaspoon of onion powder.
- Garlic Powder - ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Pepper - ¼ teaspoon of pepper.
- Macaroni - 2 cups of dry elbow macaroni.
- Butter - 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Velveeta - ½ pound of Velveeta cheese that has been cut into cubes.
- Cheddar - ½ cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Velveeta Mac and Cheese
This easy recipe is beginner-friendly and only requires some stirring! You're only going to need one large pot and you are ready to begin!
You'll get 6 servings of ooey-gooey mac and cheese!
- Combine ingredients. In a large pot over medium-high heat, add 1½ cups of water, 1 cup of milk, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Stir to combine and then add in 2 cups of elbow macaroni.
- Boil. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes or until the noodles are al dente.
- Melt the Velveeta. Next, add in the 2 tablespoons butter and stir until it is melted then add in the remaining ½ cup of milk and the ½ pound of cubed Velveeta cheese. Stir the pasta until the cheese melts.
- Add more cheese. Remove the pot from the heat and add in the ½ cup of shredded cheese, stirring until melted.
- Serve. Serve immediately while warm.
This macaroni and cheese is the perfect side dish for any entree! Try it with some meatloaf or sloppy joes! For more ideas, check out my post on what to serve with mac and cheese! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
- I like to use higher-fat dairy to make macaroni and cheesy, as it gives it a richer flavor. My personal favorite dairy options are heavy cream or half & half (which both do well when boiled).
- Make sure you reuse any leftovers to make my mac and cheese bites!
- Macaroni noodles are the classic choice for mac & cheese, but you can feel free to mix it up with other types of pasta!
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Keep your leftovers stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Reheating Velveeta Mac and Cheese
Add a splash of milk or cream before reheating in either the microwave or over medium heat on the stove. The extra liquid is necessary to return the macaroni and cheese to a creamy consistency.
❓ FAQ
Velveeta is technically not a true kind of cheese. Actually, it is a cheese product that is made from milk, whey, and whey concentrate.
I recommend buying a block of sharp cheddar and shredding it yourself. Bagged shredded cheese uses additives to help keep it from sticking together, which affects its melting abilities.
For more information, check out my post on the best cheese for macaroni and cheese!
You can really add anything you like! Add in some chicken, hotdogs, or bacon for some meat. For veggies, I enjoy mixing in peas, carrots, or broccoli. Plus, you can top it with some Panko bread crumbs for extra texture!
🧀 Easy Mac & Cheese Recipes
- White Cheddar Mac & Cheese - Using white cheddar makes this macaroni extra rich!
- Microwave Mac & Cheese - Save yourself some time by making this tasty side dish in the microwave!
- Crockpot Mac & Cheese - Crockpot macaroni and cheese is extra simple and completely hands-off!
- Cauliflower Mac & Cheese - For a low-carb alternative, check out this cauliflower mac and cheese!
- Mac & Cheese With Hot Dogs - This kid-friendly twist can be enjoyed as a side dish or the main entree!
- Smoked Mac & Cheese - If you are cooking something in your smoker, go ahead and throw in this macaroni and cheese with it for a complete meal!
📋 Recipe
Velveeta Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups milk (divided into 1 cup and ½ cup portions - *see note)
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (dry)
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ lb Velveeta cheese (cubed)
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, add your water, 1 cup of milk, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir to combine and then add in the elbow macaroni.1 ½ cups milk, 1 ½ cups water, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 2 cups elbow macaroni
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes or until the noodles are al dente.
- Next, add in the butter and stir until it is melted then add in the remaining ½ cup of milk and the cubed Velveeta cheese. Stir the pasta until the cheese melts.1 ½ cups milk, ½ lb Velveeta cheese, 2 tablespoon butter
- Remove the pot from the heat and add in the shredded cheese, stirring until melted.½ cup sharp cheddar cheese
- Serve immediately while warm.
Equipment You May Need
Notes
- I like to use higher-fat dairy to make macaroni and cheesy, as it gives it a richer flavor. My personal favorite dairy options are heavy cream or half & half (which both do well when boiled).
- Make sure you reuse any leftovers to make my mac and cheese bites!
- Macaroni noodles are the classic choice for mac & cheese, but you can feel free to mix it up with other types of pasta!
- To store: Keep your leftovers stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- To reheat: Add a splash of milk or cream before reheating in either the microwave or over medium heat on the stove. The extra liquid is necessary to return the macaroni and cheese to a creamy consistency.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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