How to Make Macaroni and Cheese

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories while processed cheese is often less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil provides healthier fats while margarine is a budget-friendly alternative.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + cornstarch

Almond milk is lower in calories, and a cornstarch mixture can mimic creaminess.

elbow macaroni

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pasta

💰Cheaper: generic pasta

Whole wheat pasta adds fiber while generic options are often cheaper.

Put a stick of butter in a pot over low medium heat.

Add 4 ounces of cream cheese, 4 ounces of Velveeta, and 4 ounces of cheddar cheese to the pot.

Stir the cheese mixture until it melts together, being careful not to burn it.

Add garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to the cheese mixture.

Optionally, add paprika or nutmeg to taste.

Pour in about 1 cup of cream, adjusting the amount as needed depending on the consistency of the sauce.

Mix everything together and let it melt on low medium heat.

Add 1 pound of cooked macaroni noodles to the cheese sauce and mix well.

If the sauce is too runny, add more cheese; if too thick, add more cream or milk.

Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a different dish if desired; for baked version, sprinkle extra cheese and bread crumbs on top and broil until melted.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens