Best 6 Creamy Weeknight Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a creamy, cheesy delight with our collection of macaroni and cheese recipes, perfect for an effortless weeknight dinner. From the classic stovetop version to baked variations and even a slow cooker option, we have something for every taste and occasion. Each recipe is crafted with a blend of rich cheeses, velvety sauces, and tender macaroni, ensuring a satisfying and comforting meal. Explore the diverse range of flavors, from traditional cheddar to unique combinations like bacon and jalapeño, or broccoli and cauliflower. Whether you prefer a crispy golden crust or a smooth, gooey center, our recipes cater to your cravings. Discover the perfect macaroni and cheese dish to warm your soul and bring joy to your dinner table.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Creamy Macaroni and Cheese image

This is the ultimate creamy mac and cheese recipe. It's saucy, thick and very rich, with a wonderful cheddar flavor. Once you taste it, you'll be hooked. -Cindy Hartley, Chesapeake, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 to 2 cups 2% milk
1 cup sour cream
8 ounces cubed Velveeta
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in sour cream, Velveeta, Parmesan cheese, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth and cheese is melted. Add additional milk to reach desired consistency. , Drain macaroni; toss with cheddar cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Stir in cream sauce. , Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 653 calories, Fat 46g fat (30g saturated fat), Cholesterol 143mg cholesterol, Sodium 1141mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.

HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE CASSEROLE



Homemade Mac and Cheese Casserole image

This homemade Mac and Cheese Casserole is the best you've ever had. Tender noodles in a velvety sauce make the perfectly irresistible dish!!

Provided by Holly Nilsson

Categories     Casserole     Dinner     Entree     Main Course     Pasta

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 11

12 ounces dry elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
1 ½ cups milk
1 cup light cream (about 10-12% MF)
½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
salt & pepper to taste
1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup (optional 10.75 ounces)
4 cups sharp cheddar (divided)
½ cup fresh parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Cook macaroni al dente (firm) according to package directions. Drain and run under cold water.
  • Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Whisk in flour and let cook 2 minutes while stirring. Slowly whisk in milk, cream, mustard powder, onion powder, salt & pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat while stirring until thickened.
  • Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese & 3 cups cheddar cheese until melted. Add soup if using.
  • Toss cheese sauce & macaroni noodles together. Pour into a greased 9×13 pan. Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake 18-24 minutes or until bubbly. Do not over cook. Cool 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 539 kcal, Carbohydrate 39 g, Protein 24 g, Fat 32 g, SaturatedFat 20 g, Cholesterol 98 mg, Sodium 529 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, TransFat 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 10 g, ServingSize 1 serving

EASY WEEKNIGHT MAC AND CHEESE 4 WAYS



Easy Weeknight Mac and Cheese 4 Ways image

A classic, creamy macaroni and cheese. Take it to the next level with Almond Breeze almondmilk and delicious toppings the whole family will love.

Provided by Almond Breeze

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Almond Breeze

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 24

1 ½ cups small elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 ½ cups Almond Breeze Unsweetened Original almondmilk
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Freshly ground pepper to taste
¾ cup 1/4-inch diced turkey kielbasa
⅔ cup chopped onion
⅔ cup diced bell pepper (any color)
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup chopped onion
⅓ cup real bacon bits
1 ½ cups mixed riced cauliflower and broccoli
Garlic salt to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup chopped red onion
15 slices turkey pepperoni, cut into quarters
⅓ cup diced bell pepper (any color)
⅓ cup sliced olives

Steps:

  • Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions, about 8 minutes.
  • While macaroni is cooking, melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in Almond Breeze almondmilk and stock and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Stir in mustard, onion powder, and garlic salt.
  • Add cheese a little at a time, cooking and stirring until melted before adding more. Season with pepper. Drain macaroni well and stir in. Cook for 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
  • For Sausage and Pepper topping: Cook sausage and onion in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until sausage is browned and onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and thyme; cook and stir for 2 minutes more to soften peppers. Serve over hot Weeknight Mac and Cheese.
  • For Riced Veggie and Bacon topping: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add bacon and cook for 2 minutes more. Stir in riced veggies; cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes to soften. Season with garlic salt. Serve over hot Weeknight Mac and Cheese.
  • For Pepperoni and Veggie Pizza topping: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepperoni and cook until both are lightly browned, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper; cook and stir for 2 minutes to soften. Stir in olives, if desired. Spoon over hot Weeknight Mac and Cheese.

CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Creamy Macaroni and Cheese image

There are two schools of thought about macaroni and cheese: Some like it crusty and extra-cheesy (here's our recipe), while others prefer it smooth and creamy. But most people are delighted by any homemade macaroni and cheese. It is light years ahead of the boxed versions. This creamy version has one powerful advantage for the cook: There's no need to preboil the pasta. It cooks in the oven, absorbing the liquid from the dairy products.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     brunch, dinner, easy, lunch, weekday, casseroles, main course, side dish

Time 1h40m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup cottage cheese (not low-fat)
2 cups milk (not skim)
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch of ground cayenne
Pinch of ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound sharp or extra-sharp Cheddar, grated
1/2 pound elbow pasta, uncooked

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon butter to grease a 9-inch round or square baking pan.
  • In a blender, purée cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper. Reserve 1/4 cup grated Cheddar for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated Cheddar, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes.
  • Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 427, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 496 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 1 gram

CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Creamy Baked Macaroni And Cheese image

Velveeta, cream cheese, half and half, and egg give this comforting dish a rich, cheesy flavor with a custardy texture. I experimented by combining ideas from several recipes and my whole family was thrilled with the results!

Provided by Marla Swoffer

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 55m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

10 ounces macaroni
12 ounces Velveeta cheese
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (canned is fine)
1 beaten egg
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Boil noodles until done.
  • While noodles are cooking, grease a rectangular glass casserole dish.
  • After noodles are drained and have cooled for a few minutes, put them in casserole dish and mix with beaten egg.
  • Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter on medium-low heat and add flour to make a paste.
  • Add half and half and bring to a boil on medium-high heat.
  • Reduce heat and add velveeta and cream cheese in small chunks.
  • Stir and add seasonings (last four ingredients).
  • After all the cheese is melted and the sauce has a medium thick consistency (you may need to play around with the half and half or milk to get the consistency you prefer), pour it over the noodles.
  • Stir noodles with sauce until they are combined.
  • Sprinkle parmesan over the top.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes (I wait until it's a little browned).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1019, Fat 66.2, SaturatedFat 41.1, Cholesterol 257.5, Sodium 2062.8, Carbohydrate 69.5, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 8.7, Protein 36.8

CREAMY BAKED MACARONI



Creamy Baked Macaroni image

This old-fashioned macaroni casserole gets a different twist, thanks to Gouda cheese. It bakes up nice and creamy with just a hint of zip from the hot sauce. It's comfort food at its yummiest.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1-2/3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon minced chives
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) Gouda or cheddar cheese (1/2-inch cubes)
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°. Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. In a large bowl, combine the soup, milk, chives, mustard and hot pepper sauce. Stir in macaroni and cheese. , Spoon into a greased shallow 2-qt. baking dish. Combine bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over the top. Bake, uncovered, until heated through and bubbly, 25-30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 272 calories, Fat 15g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 47mg cholesterol, Sodium 678mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 13g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a large pot to cook the pasta so that it has plenty of room to expand.
  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions, until it is al dente (still slightly firm to the bite).
  • Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  • In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Whisk in the flour until smooth and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture is golden brown.
  • Gradually whisk in the milk until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  • Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until it has thickened.
  • Stir in the cheese until it is melted and smooth.
  • Add the cooked pasta and stir to coat.
  • Season the mac and cheese with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve the mac and cheese immediately, garnished with additional cheese, parsley, or bread crumbs.

Conclusion:

This creamy weeknight macaroni and cheese is a quick and easy meal that the whole family will love. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious and satisfying dish on the table in no time. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give this mac and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!

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