Almost Homemade Baked Mac & Cheese
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Baked Mac and Cheese from a box is the best of both worlds: a fast and convenient side dish that tastes homemade! Just a few simple ingredients make this boxed mac and cheese taste like it was made from scratch!
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Upgrade your box mac and cheese with this easy kitchen hack! This shortcut baked mac and cheese is a family favorite recipe and perfect for potlucks!
Why I love this recipe
- it’s super fast and easy, preheat the oven while you boil your macaroni noodles and prepare your boxed mac and cheese
- all the taste of homemade without the hassle
- super kid-friendly
Ingredients
- box mac and cheese (I prefer Velveeta or Kraft – the kind with a pouch of cheese sauce, not powder)
- breadcrumbs – panko or Italian seasoned
- shredded cheese – sharp cheddar, Mexican blend, shredded colby jack, even gouda, choose your favorite flavor
If you don’t have breadcrumbs, substitute crushed Ritz crackers
Step by step
- Preheat the oven and spray an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Boil the pasta al dente in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions. Drain and stir in cheese sauce.
- Pour the mac & cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the top with a handful of bread crumbs and then top with 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.
- Bake until the mac and cheese is bubbly and the cheese is melted! I like the cheese toasty and crispy and brown 😉
Variations
This can easily be adapted to your family’s tastes: add chopped broccoli florets, crispy bacon, ham or even a can of rotel (drained) to the macaroni before you pour it in the baking dish!
FAQs
Because we’re just crisping the top you do not need to cover this mac with foil.
You can make the mac and cheese ahead of time but I would wait to add the breadcrumbs and extra cheese until you are ready to bake.
Serving suggestions
Serve on its own or as a sign to a protein like slow cooker London broil, baked stuffed chicken breasts, or classic meatloaf.
Storage
Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or and air fryer to keep the topping crispy.
If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!
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Almost Homemade Baked Mac & Cheese
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Baked Mac and Cheese from a box is the best of both worlds: a fast and convenient side dish that tastes homemade! Just a few simple ingredients make this boxed mac and cheese taste like it was made from scratch!
Ingredients
- 1 box macaroni and cheese (with pouch of premade sauce)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 by 9 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Prepare mac and cheese according to package instructions and place in a baking dish.
- Cover with breadcrumbs, then top with shredded cheese.
- Bake until cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes.
Notes
- use mac and cheese with premade sauce, not powdered
- you can substitute your favorite cheese
- keep leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days
- reheat in the oven to keep the top crispy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: side
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 2.7 g
- Sodium: 710.1 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Carbohydrates: 35.5 g
- Protein: 13.7 g
- Cholesterol: 29.3 mg
if only you could taste a picture…is that weird? maybe a little weird, lol.
good luck on your kitten shopping, can’t wait to see pictures of your new one when you get it!
Wow! So easy but so yummy looking!
What temp should the oven be
I use 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
I made the Mac and cheese and know I’m putting Panko on the Mac and cheese
Ooooh this looks so good, and this an awesome but busy time of year! Thank you for sharing 🙂
hugs, Tanya
What a great easy recipe. I’ll be needing it this fall!
This looks delicious AND easy! We sure have plenty of boxes in our pantry 🙂 I’d love for you to share with my readers if you get the chance – enjoy your weekend! http://www.momontimeout.com/2012/08/taking-timeout-thursday-no44.html
Oh my I love that crunchy topping, my favorite part about mac and cheese! Yes, this time of year, life gets suddenly crazy, love to have a great go-to recipe!
We use the blue box of mac and cheese all the time…next time it’s getting this yummy topping added to it:-) Looks great!!!
GAH this is GREAT! I will never make mac n cheese the way I used to!!!
-Jacque @theDIYvillage.com
This looks delicious and sounds so simple. I will have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
Looks great! I love the baked kind but don’t always have the time to make it the way I like it from scratch. Thanks for sharing at this week’s party.
Simple and super tasty! The added crunch of the breadcrumbs goes so well with mac n cheese!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Yum-o! Thanks for linking up to our Pretty Things party. Hope to see you back next week!
Oh my goodness, it’s ooey gooey goodness! That looks absolutely amazing! I found you over at Uncommon’s link party. So glad I did.
Looks delicious – and easy! Yum!
Stopping by from DIY by Design’s Sizzle into Summer party. 🙂
That is my kind of recipe! I love the fact you start with the box mix, because let’s admit the truth: If I needed to make it from scratch, it wasn’t going to happen!
Thanks for sharing!
Mmmmm your Mac&Cheese looks absolutely delicious! Is there anything better?!!! YUM!
That is a really good idea! Thanks for linking!
Really wish I could see the recipe…
yummy an people like me are still looking at this 8 years later!
2022 now ☑️
I’m making this for Thanksgiving????
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it! Thanks so much for stopping by, Rhonda!
What temp to bake and how long? I can’t find that info!
I was wondering too. Bake for 15 minutes but what temp? Thank you.
I’m making this for the first time but I don’t have any cheese, besides the powdered cheese that comes in the box, so I hope it still turns out alright..
stupid dumb bitch,one of the worst things that ive ever had in my life!!! cup of bread crumbs!!!! your fucking brain is bread crumbs
wow larry – chill out