Mom's Quick Homemade Macaroni & Cheese Recipe Beats the Box Pasta Dinner Lunch Side Dishes Vegetarian Budget-friendly

My kids love macaroni and cheese, but I was finding the convenience and box versions so full of salt and additives that I started making my own homemade mac and cheese. This quick and creamy macaroni and cheese recipe is so easy, takes just 15 minutes and does not involve baking or heating the cheeses and milk. My kids love this macaroni and cheese recipe and it takes no time at all to get dinner on the table. Win-win!

To make this vegetarian mac and cheese that tastes better than that blue box you will need elbow macaroni, cream cheese, butter, milk, sharp cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese. No baking involved! Serve this creamy macaroni and cheese as a side dish with your favorite protein or as a quick lunch or vegetarian dinner with a salad.

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Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 box (12 to 16 ounces) elbow macaroni
• 1 box (8 ounces) cream cheese
• 2 - 4 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• grated Parmesan cheese

Helpful Products

• Measuring Cups
• Salt and Pepper
• Baking Dishes
• Rubber Spatula
• Grater
• Airtight Containers
• Pasta Pot
• Box Grater
• Colander

Recipe Notes

• I know freshy grated Parmesan is best, but for this mac and cheese recipe I like the kind in a shaker can.

• Feel free to use whatever cheese your family enjoys.

Here's how to make it:

1. Put the cream cheese into a casserole dish so it softens while you boil the macaroni. 
2. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions (I cook it about 10 minutes). Rinse and drain well, then pour it into the casserole dish. 
3. Stir the cream cheese and macaroni together until well blended. 
4. Add butter, milk and shredded cheese. (Add these ingredients a little at a time so you can adjust the amounts to your preference.) Mix well. 
5. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and a little salt and pepper. Done!

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories: 518

Total Fat: 30.5g

Saturated Fat: 19g

Cholesterol: 92mg

Sodium: 355mg

Total Carbohydrate: 41.3g

Dietary Fiber: 1.7g

Total Sugars: 2.2g

Protein: 19.5g

Vitamin D: 5mcg

Calcium: 329mg

Iron: 2mg

Potassium: 207mg

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by VeryWellFit. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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