Saucy Mac & Cheese

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

Makes

4 servings

Updated: Jul. 27, 2023
I love the curly noodles in this creamy recipe. Cavatappi, also sold under the name cellentani, is a corkscrew pasta, but any type of spiral pasta will work. This dish is fun to make and looks so pretty topped with extra cheese and crunchy, golden crumbs. I like to add ground pepper to my serving. —Sara Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Saucy Mac & Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cavatappi or other spiral pasta
  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 cups 2% milk
  • 3/4 pound Velveeta, cubed
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir until golden brown. Remove to a small bowl and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat. Stir in Velveeta until melted.
  3. Drain pasta; add to cheese mixture. Cook and stir until heated through, 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/4 cups: 661 calories, 36g fat (21g saturated fat), 121mg cholesterol, 1267mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.