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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Published: Oct 10, 2024 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

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Overhead view of white cheddar mac and cheese is large white braiser.
Overhead view of finished mac in two bowls by small bowl of cheese and forks.
Overhead view of single serving of mac and cheese in bowl by forks.
Close up front view of serving of mac and cheese in grey bowl topped with black pepper.
Two finished photos of mac and cheese in bowl and pan on pin with text overlay.
Overhead view of mac and cheese in a bowl by forks on pin with text overlay.
Four process photos to make white mac and cheese on pin with text overlay.
Overhead view of white cheddar mac and cheese is large white braiser.

This White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is an easy stovetop version that creates a thick and creamy pasta side dish that's cheesy, gooey, and delicious.

If you are craving a traditional baked mac and cheese, then be sure to try making some Southern Mac and Cheese. For another stovetop one-pot option, try making a batch of Broccoli Mac and Cheese.

Overhead view of bowl of finished mac and cheese by forks on marble surface.

Macaroni and Cheese is one of those comfort foods that you can never really grow tired of. And how could you when it is so cheesy, gooey, and delicious.

I mean seriously when you think about the best macaroni and cheese that your taste buds have ever had the pleasure of meeting does it not make you want to go to extreme lengths just to have it once again?

I love some good macaroni and cheese, especially if it's paired with a side of freshly cooked green beans. This combination paired with protein creates the perfect dinner for me. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Making baked macaroni and cheese can be a little tedious and this may make you reach for the convenience of the boxed version. I am cool with that as well in a pinch, but before you do that let me share with you a simple stovetop (no bake) version that can be made from start to finish in less than 30 minutes.

Let's get started!

Ingredients You'll Need

Ingredients needed to make mac and cheese in separate bowls on marble surface.
  1. White Cheddar - Choose your favorite brand of sharp white cheddar cheese. Try to select a high-quality white cheese that is already shredded or in a block that you will have to shred yourself using a box cheese grater.
  2. Pasta - Use your favorite pasta to make this recipe. Traditional mac and cheese uses elbows but shells (small or medium), cellentani, cavatappi, and fusilli will work just as well.
  3. Butter - You can use salted butter or unsalted butter depending on your preference. Select a high-quality butter to add thickness and creaminess to the dish.
  4. All-Purpose Flour - This will help to thicken the sauce and create the roux.
  5. Milk - Use whole milk or canned milk.
  6. Heavy Cream - Helps to make the white cheddar cheese sauce thick and creamy.
  7. Salt - Use kosher or sea salt to balance the flavors in the mac and cheese.
  8. Ground Black Pepper - If you have white pepper available, then you may opt to use that in the same unit of measure instead.
  9. Dry Ground Mustard - An important step in any good macaroni and cheese recipe, it adds a slightly tangy flavor and yellow color to the dish.
  10. Sugar - Use granulated or cane sugar. It prevents the flavors from tasting flat and brings out the other ingredient notes. You will not be able to taste the sweetness at all.
  11. Hot Sauce - Just a small amount of any hot sauce that you have on hand. If you do not have any available, then you can substitute with cayenne pepper in the same unit of measure instead.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

How to Make White Mac and Cheese

Begin the recipe by cooking the elbow pasta according to the package instructions. Once finished, drain the water from the cooked pasta and set it aside until you're ready to use it.

Cooked and drains elbow pasta in strainer on marble surface.

Make the sauce in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the butter, and allow it to melt. Add in the all-purpose flour and whisk to combine.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the milk, heavy cream, salt, ground black pepper, dry mustard, granulated sugar, and a dash of hot sauce. Continue whisking the sauce mixture until it is combined and begins to bubble.

Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded white cheddar. Stir until smooth and combined.

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Shredded white cheddar added to braiser pan with the other mac and cheese sauce ingredients.

Add in the cooked pasta and stir just until combined. Carefully remove the large pot from heat and allow it to sit for a few minutes to thicken. Serve warm and enjoy!

Overhead view of mac and cheese ingredients combined in large white braiser pan.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

  • Use freshly grated cheese instead of the bagged pre-shredded cheddar because it melts so much better and usually does not have any additional ingredients.
  • Do not overcook or boil the pasta too long. Undercook it a bit, until it's al dente, and then combine the pasta into the sauce while it is still warm for better absorption.
  • Try cooking the pasta and making the sauce at the same time.
  • Stir the cheese sauce constantly, I prefer to use a whisk because this will help prevent clumps and ensure a creamy cheese sauce.
  • Taste and adjust the spices/seasonings as needed, add onion powder and garlic powder if you prefer.

Storage Tips

Storage. Be sure to store any white cheddar mac and cheese leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating. Remove the leftover pasta from the fridge and reheat on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium heat until warm or in the microwave for a quicker option.

Close up view of finished pasta in small bowl on marble surface.

Want More Easy Side Dish Recipes? Try These:

  • Bacon Mac and Cheese
  • Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese
  • Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Easy Candied Yams
  • Southern Collard Green and Ham Hocks
  • Chicken Macaroni Salad
  • Warm Macaroni Salad
  • Easy Cornbread Dressing 
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  • Overhead view of southern baked beans in large white braiser pan with serving spoon in it.
    Southern Baked Beans Recipe (Easy + Hearty)

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to use this thick and creamy White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Overhead view of finished mac in two bowls by small bowl of cheese and forks.

White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

LaKita Anderson
This White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is an easy stovetop version that creates a thick and creamy pasta side dish that's cheesy, gooey, and delicious.
5 from 12 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 614 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet or braiser

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound elbow pasta, cooked
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dry ground mustard
  • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ⅛ teaspoon hot sauce
  • 2 cups white cheddar, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Begin the recipe by cooking the 1 pound elbow pasta according to the package instructions. Once finished, drain the water from the cooked pasta and set it aside until you're ready to use it.
  • Make the sauce in a large pot over medium-high heat, add the ¼ cup butter, and allow it to melt. Add in the ¼ cup all-purpose flour and whisk to combine.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the 1 cup whole milk, 2 cups heavy cream, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon dry ground mustard, ½ teaspoon granulated sugar, and ⅛ teaspoon hot sauce.
  • Continue whisking the sauce mixture until it is combined and begins to bubble.
  • Reduce the heat to low and add the 2 cups shredded white cheddar. Stir until smooth and combined.
  • Add in the cooked pasta and stir just until combined. Carefully remove the large pot from heat and allow it to sit for a few minutes to thicken. Serve warm and enjoy!
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated cheese instead of the bagged pre-shredded cheddar because it melts so much better and usually does not have any additional ingredients.
  • Do not overcook or boil the pasta too long. Undercook it a bit, until it's al dente, and then combine the pasta into the sauce while it is still warm for better absorption.
  • Try cooking the pasta and making the sauce at the same time.
  • Stir the cheese sauce constantly, I prefer to use a whisk because this will help prevent clumps and ensure a creamy cheese sauce.
  • Taste and adjust the spices/seasonings as needed, add onion powder and garlic powder if you prefer.
Calories: 614kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 17gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 409mgPotassium: 260mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1385IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 292mgIron: 1mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword macaroni and cheese, white cheddar mac and cheese
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

Original post date 06/23/2014. Updated 04/13/2022 and 10/10/2024.

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Comments

    5 from 12 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kayla DiMaggio says

    April 23, 2022 at 7:14 pm

    5 stars
    This white cheddar mac and cheese was so rich and delicious! The whole family loved it!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      April 25, 2022 at 2:10 pm

      Thank you so much Kayla! Happy to hear it!

      Reply
  2. Marie says

    April 23, 2022 at 2:44 pm

    5 stars
    I love a recipe that you can make in a snap and that's even more satisfying than the boxed, sodium-laded store-bought product! This creamy mac'n'cheese is delicious as is, but my kid also loved it with some sausage chunks mixed in. This has definitely become one of my go-to family recipes!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      April 25, 2022 at 2:10 pm

      Thank you Marie, adding sausage sounds like a great idea!

      Reply
  3. veenaazmanov says

    April 23, 2022 at 1:39 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious, rich and creamy. Quick and easy too. Happy Meal for sure.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      April 25, 2022 at 2:09 pm

      Thank you so much!!

      Reply
  4. Heather says

    April 22, 2022 at 5:11 pm

    5 stars
    Love homemade Mac and cheese! And this white cheddar version looks so creamy and delicious! Can’t wait to try.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      April 25, 2022 at 2:09 pm

      Thank you so much Heather, hope you get a chance to try it soon!

      Reply
  5. Veronika says

    April 22, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    5 stars
    I appreciate how quick and easy this mac and cheese was to make. I don't wanna admit it but I go with the boxed version more often than not but this was so easy to make and so delicious, it's my go-to now!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      April 25, 2022 at 2:09 pm

      Thank you Veronika! I completely understand the convenience the boxed version gives 😉

      Reply
  6. Kathryn says

    April 22, 2022 at 9:42 am

    5 stars
    This is the best mac and cheese! I love the white cheddar flavor and I can't wait to make this again asap!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      April 25, 2022 at 2:08 pm

      Thank you Kathryn, glad to hear you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  7. Devan says

    April 22, 2022 at 2:20 am

    5 stars
    You had me at WHITE CHEDDAR! This looks SOO good your pictures are making me hungry now! Nice recipe and love the tips included to make this.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      April 25, 2022 at 2:07 pm

      Thank you so much Devan!!!

      Reply
  8. Jessica says

    April 21, 2022 at 8:01 pm

    There is no greater comfort food than mac and cheese and this one hit it out of the park. It was simple, delicious, and loved by my whole family. I will definitely be making this again in the near future.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      April 25, 2022 at 2:07 pm

      I completely agree with you Jessica, thank you!

      Reply
  9. Mikayla says

    April 21, 2022 at 4:03 pm

    5 stars
    Mac and Cheese is one of my kiddos all time favorites, and we love white cheddar. Add a generous sprinkling of crumbled bacon and we had a meal we all ate seconds of.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      April 25, 2022 at 2:07 pm

      Thank you Mikayla, adding bacon sounds perfect!

      Reply
  10. Tristin says

    April 21, 2022 at 1:38 pm

    5 stars
    I made this Mac and cheese for a bbq and it was a huge hit. Everyone loved the white cheddar flavor!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      April 25, 2022 at 2:06 pm

      So happy to hear it was a hit, thank you Tristin!

      Reply
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

More about me →

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