This viral velvetta mac and cheese is so creamy and baked in one pan without boiling the elbow noodles. No wonder this hack went viral all over social media.
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Viral Mac and Cheese Velvetta
Why did this recipe go viral? It’s a one pan wonder and so entertaining to watch on Youtube, Instagram, and TikTok. Velvetta makes any dish cheesy gooey and creamy.
What’s not to love? It’s cheesy comfort food, your family and friends will be asking for this side every get together or dinner.
Check out this other Viral TikTok Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe or 17 The Best Viral TikTok Pasta Recipes List !!
What is Velvetta Cheese?
Velvetta is a shelf stable processed cheese with a similar taste to American cheese.
You can find velvetta or similar store brands at Walmart, Aldi, and many major grocery stores.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Velvetta- Any processed cheese would be delicious even store brands.
Milk - Half and Half is preferred. Substitute evaporated milk or heavy cream for an extra creamy texture. I’ve see many videos that use whole milk as well.
Butter - Unsalted is preferred to control the salt content.
Macaroni - Using the traditional elbow macaroni is the most popular way. Substitute with any small-shaped pasta, shells, spirals, or the noodles from the blue box Kraft Mac and cheese.
Cheese - Sharp cheddar has a great flavor, substitute mild, extra sharp or colby.
Water & Spices - Use your favorite spices or blends, garlic or onion powder, smoked paparika, white pepper and salt, if you prefer. Water is used in this recipe, substitute chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavor.
Tips and Suggestions
Don’t forget to check for doneness of the elbow noodles before you mix the cheese together. Make sure it’s to your liking or preference.
Replace the water with chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavor.
Add a crunchy topping on top of the shredded cheddar cheese, like buttered bread crumbs, crushed crackers, crispy onions or jalapeños, or potato chips.
As the mac and cheese cools it does thicken up. Make sure to serve it right away extra warm or add more half half.
Mix up the cheese options with shredded parmesan, swiss or gouda.
Use less elbow noodles if you want a cheesy saucy mac and cheese.
Top or add a warm fully cooked protein after you have mixed the noodles and cheese together. Options include chopped bacon, chicken, ham, hot dog, spicy sausage, seasoned ground beef.
This recipe can be easily halved to serve 4. Check out the directions below.
What To Serve With Velvetta Macaroni and Cheese?
Velvetta mac and cheese can be served with grilling or southern dishes and along summer sides.
Grilling Favorites - BBQ ribs or chicken, burgers, steak, or sausage.
Southern Favorites - Fried and bake chicken, pork chops or meatloaf.
Summer Sides - Potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, or corn on the cob.
For a One Pan Meal - Make a Chili Mac or Tex Mex with taco seasoned beef, rotel, and green chilis.
Also great for a macaroni and cheese bar with amazing toppings like cooked bacon and sausage, jalapeños, red onions, fried onions, herbs, peas, broccoli, tomato, mushrooms, salsa, sour cream, hot sauce, and extra cheese. Yum.
Check out this Easy Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Salad that went viral.
Leftovers and Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
It can easily be reheated in the microwave with a little half half, milk, or water for that creamy texture.
Step By Step Photos and Directions
- Grab the ingredients, velvetta, elbow macaroni, half and half, butter, shredded cheddar and water. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a 9x13 baking dish, place the unwrapped velvetta cheese into the middle and sprinkle the elbow macaroni around it.
3. Pour the half and half and water around the velvetta. Optional : Add salt, pepper, or spices, if preferred.
4. Place butter pieces on the four corners and/or around the velvetta cheese block.
5. Cover and seal tightly with foil. Place into the oven.
6. Bake for about 50-60 minutes depending on how you like your pasta cooked.
7. At around 50 minutes, remove the foil carefully and test the elbow noodles for doneness or the texture you prefer. Do not mix. Add extra liquid (half and half/ water) if needed and return to the oven.
8. Cook the elbow noodles to your preference. Then mix the velvetta, noodles and liquid together.
9. Add about ¾ portion of shredded cheddar cheese a little at time, allowing it to melt and become creamy.
10. Top with the remaining portion of shredded cheese and return back to the oven uncovered for 6-8 minutes. This will allow the Mac and cheese to warm back up and melt the cheddar after adding the cold cheese.
11. Remove from the oven when the cheddar cheese topping has melted. Serve extra warm. Enjoy.
Velvetta Mac and Cheese (One Pan)
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Pan
- Measuring Cups
- Mixing Spoon and Spatula
- Cheese Grater
- Foil
- Oven Mitts
Ingredients
- 16oz Block Velvetta Cheese
- 16oz Cheddar Cheese (Shredded) Mild or Sharp
- ½ Cup Butter (1 Stick) Cut Into Pieces
- 16oz Elbow Macaroni (About 4 cups)
- 32oz Half and Half (About 4 cups)
- 1 Cup Water
- Salt, Pepper, Spices or Seasoning Blends
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a 9x13 baking pan place the unwrapped velvetta cheese block.
- Pour around the cheese block the elbow pasta, water, and half and half. Optional: Add salt, pepper, or spices if preferred.
- Place butter pieces on the four corners and/or around the velvetta cheese block.
- Cover the baking pan with foil and seal tightly. Place into the oven.
- Bake for about 50-60 minutes depending on how you like your pasta cooked. At around 50 minutes, remove the foil carefully and test the elbow noodles for doneness or the texture you prefer. Do not mix. Add extra liquid (half and half/ water) if needed and return to the oven.
- When the elbow noodles are cooked to your preference, mix the velvetta, noodles and liquid together.
- Add about ¾ portion of shredded cheddar cheese a little at time, allowing it to melt and become creamy.
- After it's mixed sprinkle with the remaining portion of shredded cheese and return back to the oven uncovered for 6-8 minutes. This will allow the Mac and cheese to warm back up and melt the cheddar after adding the cold cheese.
- Remove from the oven when the cheddar cheese topping has melted. Serve extra warm. Enjoy.
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