Best 8 Easy Creamy Mac N Cheese Recipes

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Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is sure to please everyone at the table. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking, with endless variations on the ingredients and cooking methods. Whether you prefer a simple and creamy mac and cheese or one that is loaded with extra cheese, bacon, or vegetables, there is a recipe out there for you. In this article, we will explore some of the best recipes for easy creamy mac and cheese, so that you can find the perfect one to satisfy your cravings.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested 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.

EASY CREAMY MAC 'N CHEESE



Easy Creamy Mac 'N Cheese image

Our recipe for Easy Creamy Mac 'N Cheese has only 5 ingredients and is on the table in less than 30 minutes. What's not to love about that?! Whether you serve it on the side or as a main dish, it's comfort food that the whole family will love.

Provided by Country Crock®

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Country Crock®

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 5

8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 ½ cups milk
¼ cup Country Crock® Spread
2 tablespoons flour
1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in large pot according to package directions.
  • Meanwhile, whisk milk, Country Crock® Spread, and flour in large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently. Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted; remove from heat. Drain pasta and fold into the sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 292.3 calories, Carbohydrate 33.1 g, Cholesterol 34.5 mg, Fat 11.2 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 14.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Sodium 202.7 mg, Sugar 4 g

CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE



Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese image

This baked mac and cheese - perfect for a large crowd or as a side dish - is super simple to make. The cream cheese gives it richness and a little tang.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 50m

Yield Serves 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 1/2 cups half and half
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound cream cheese, room temperature
8 ounces sharp Cheddar, shredded (about 3 cups)
3 ounces gruyere cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
1 cup panko bread crumbs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

  • Set an oven rack 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until it is al dente, about 6 minutes. Strain, reserving 1 3/4 cups of the pasta water. Set aside.
  • Heat the half-and-half and cayenne in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just comes to a simmer. Continue simmering until the half-and-half is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • Add the macaroni and the reserved pasta water to the saucepan and stir to combine. (It will look very loose, but the pasta will suck up a lot of the sauce as it bakes.) Season to taste with salt if needed. Pour into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Toss the bread crumbs with the butter and a sprinkle of salt in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the bread crumbs are lightly browned and crispy, about 10 minutes.

CREAMY STOVETOP MAC AND CHEESE



Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese image

"One cold night, a dozen friends stopped by and I made them the best mac and cheese ever with a huge conglomeration of cheeses. This version is a little simpler," says Nancy.

Provided by Nancy Fuller

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt
1 pound medium shell pasta
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup half-and-half
2 cups grated cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
1 cup grated Colby Jack cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 heaping teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon paprika
Dash of hot sauce
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. When it begins to foam, sprinkle in the flour and stir until it becomes pasty, about 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and half-and-half and bring to a low simmer. Cook, stirring, until the mixture looks thick, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the cheddar and Colby Jack cheeses by the handful to the milk mixture, stirring well after each addition until melted. Mix in the mustard, paprika and hot sauce. Fold in the cream cheese and stir well until melted; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cooked pasta. Serve the mac and cheese immediately while still warm and at its creamiest!

CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Creamy Macaroni and Cheese image

Macaroni and cheese is perfect supper food. It's a kids' favorite, and adults like it too. My recipe is simple and almost as quick as the boxed variety.

Provided by USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon salt
1 pound elbow, shell or other bite-size shaped pasta
2 (12 fluid ounce) cans evaporated milk
1 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
⅓ cup flour
1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Bring 2 quarts of water to boil in large soup kettle. Add salt and pasta. Using package directions as a guide, cook until al dente. Drain. To prevent sticking, drain and immediately pour onto a large lipped baking sheet and let cool while preparing sauce.
  • Meanwhile, microwave the milk and chicken broth in a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup or bowl until hot and steamy (not boiling). Melt butter in the empty pasta pot; whisk in flour, then hot milk mixture. Continue to whisk until thick and bubbly, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in mustard, Parmesan and pepper. Turn off heat, stir in cheddar until melted.
  • Add drained pasta (and optional flavoring ingredients, see notes) to sauce, and stir until everything is well combined over low heat. Stir to heat through, and thin with a little water if the sauce is too thick. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 529.1 calories, Carbohydrate 47.1 g, Cholesterol 82.3 mg, Fat 26.5 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 25.1 g, SaturatedFat 16.1 g, Sodium 1202.9 mg, Sugar 8.5 g

CREAMY MACARONI 'N' CHEESE



Creamy Macaroni 'n' Cheese image

"I prepare this cheesy recipe when I'm craving 'comfort food' but trying to eat a little lighter," advises Dawn Royer of Albany, Oregon. "The hint of mustard adds zip to this creamy side dish-and it makes a pleasing meatless entree, too."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 35m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/3 cup finely chopped onion
3-1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
1-3/4 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1-3/4 cups 2% cottage cheese
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large microwave-safe bowl, cover and microwave onion on high for 1 minute or until tender; drain. Add the macaroni, cheddar cheese and parsley; set aside., In a blender, combine the milk, cottage cheese, mustard, salt and pepper; cover and process until smooth. Stir into macaroni mixture., Pour into a 1-1/2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 229 calories, Fat 6g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 19mg cholesterol, Sodium 491mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CLASSIC CREAMY OVEN-BAKED MAC N' CHEESE



Classic Creamy Oven-Baked Mac N' Cheese image

This Mac N' Cheese is a great side dish for any meal! You will love the richness of this easy recipe for this old favorite. It is a wonderful Southern Comfort Food!!!

Provided by Ms Leah

Categories     Christmas

Time 1h20m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 cups elbow macaroni (cooked according to package directions)
1/2 cup butter (softened) or 1/2 cup margarine (softened)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded colby-monterey jack cheese
2 cups shredded Velveeta cheese (or 16oz. cut into pieces)
2 eggs (beaten)
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
optional** garlic and herb breadcrumbs (for topping)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • grease a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish.
  • cook macaroni according to package directions and drain.
  • in a large bowl or pot, pour in hot macaroni and add butter and all cheese, mix well.
  • with a wire whisk, beat together eggs, evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper.
  • add to bowl/pot with macaroni and cheeses and mix well.
  • pour mixture into greased casserole dish.
  • (optional) sprinkle bread crumbs over top.
  • cover with foil.
  • place into preheated (350 degrees) oven for 50 to 60 minutes.
  • uncover the last few minutes just to toast the breadcrumbs on top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480, Fat 32.3, SaturatedFat 19.6, Cholesterol 127.8, Sodium 530.1, Carbohydrate 28.2, Fiber 1, Sugar 1.9, Protein 19.4

CREAM-CHEESY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Cream-Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese image

Make and share this Cream-Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by LorenLou

Categories     Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb elbow macaroni (or whatever you prefer)
3 tablespoons margarine
1 tablespoon flour
3 cups milk
8 ounces cream cheese (reduced-fat OK)
16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
salt
breadcrumbs (optional)

Steps:

  • Spray a 9x13" glass casserole dish with cooking spray.
  • Set aside.
  • Cook the pasta according to package directions, in a large pot.
  • Drain, rinse, and return to the large pot.
  • Set aside.
  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Add the flour, and cook until bubbly (about a minute).
  • Add the milk slowly, stirring after each addition and cook until slightly thickened.
  • Add the cream cheese, again stirring until completely melted.
  • Season with salt.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Carefully pour the cream cheese mixture over the pasta, stirring gently to combine.
  • Add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring to combine.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, top with bread crumbs if desired, and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 425.1, Fat 24.7, SaturatedFat 13.7, Cholesterol 69.1, Sodium 361.4, Carbohydrate 33, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 1.8, Protein 17.6

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your mac and cheese.
  • Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose, which can make your mac and cheese grainy.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means that it should still be slightly firm to the bite.
  • Make a roux. This will help to thicken the sauce and make it creamy.
  • Add the milk and cheese slowly. This will help to prevent the sauce from curdling.
  • Season the sauce to taste. You may want to add salt, pepper, garlic powder, or onion powder.
  • Top the mac and cheese with breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan cheese before baking. This will give it a golden brown crust.
  • Let the mac and cheese rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help it to set and become creamier.

Conclusion:

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of different ingredients. The tips and tricks in this article will help you make the best mac and cheese possible. So next time you are craving a cheesy, comforting meal, give this recipe a try.

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