White Cheddar Mac And Cheese Recipe

If your family loves a good mac and cheese recipe like ours does, you’ll want to try our fall-inspired pumpkin mac and cheese, this spicy buffalo mac and cheese or this grown-up version lobster mac and cheese. They are all so different and SO tasty!

White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe

This white cheddar mac and cheese might be even better than the original! It is filled with amazing creaminess and that delicious cheddar taste that we all love. Plus, you have the option to bake it in a dish topped with a buttery, seasoned bread crumb topping. This is the side dish my kids always request, and I’m quite happy to oblige. It’s so delicious, the whole family gets excited when this pasta dish is on the menu! It comes together easily with very little hands-on time, making it a great side or vegetarian main for weeknight dinners. It’s also great for potlucks and holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s pure comfort food that you’re going to love!

Ingredients Needed

This white cheddar mac and cheese recipe is made with a combination of simple ingredients that come together for a cozy, comforting combination of wonderful flavor and texture. See the recipe card below for a list of exact ingredient measurements.

Pasta: Elbow noodles are classic but we love using shell pasta because the cheesy sauce gets trapped in each shell for heavenly flavor in every bite. Butter: An essential ingredient for rich velvety macaroni and cheese. Use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt in the recipe. Flour: All-purpose flour will help to thicken the cheese sauce. Milk: We recommend using whole milk for creamy results. Heavy Whipping Cream: Used in addition to the whole milk for maximum creaminess and richness. Cheese: Sharp white cheddar cheese actually has the same flavor as regular sharp cheddar, it just hasn’t been died orange. Salt and Pepper: To enhance all of the delicious flavors. Seasonings: Add in a small amount of both garlic powder and onion powder for a boost of flavor!

Bread crumb topping for serving

Italian Breadcrumbs: The contrasting texture of the crispy bread crumbs with the creamy macaroni is to die for! Butter: Melted butter mixed with the bread crumbs will help them get golden and crisp while baking. Seasonings: A simple mix of dried parsley and dried oregano add color and a bit of extra flavor. Salt and Pepper: To taste!

How to Make White Mac and Cheese

Your family and friends will go wild for this dish! It’s easy and so tasty with the best creamy texture. Here’s how to make it:

For the Bread Crumb Topping

Cheese: Don’t use prepackaged shredded cheese. That cheese is coated in anti-caking agents to keep it from clumping and sticking to the bag that it’s in. So, it won’t melt as well as cheese that is shredded from a block. To get that creamy and smooth texture, grate your own cheese! Topping: The breadcrumb topping is optional but I like a little flavorful crunch in my mac and cheese. You can also bake the breadcrumbs over the mac and cheese, instead of toasting them on a pan. Baking Option: To bake the mac and cheese, once it has all come together, spread the mac into a deep 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the unbaked breadcrumb mixture over the mac and cheese and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are crispy.

Refrigerator: Once the mac and cheese has cooled, store leftovers in a sealed airtight container then place it in your fridge. It will keep fresh for up to 5 days! Reheat: You can rewarm this either on the stovetop or in the microwave for a couple of minutes stirring occasionally until it’s heated through. Add a splash of milk if needed for creaminess.