Cheesy Cheez It Mac Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food upgrade with this Cheesy Cheez-It Mac Cheese, a crave-worthy twist on classic mac and cheese! This recipe combines creamy, velvety cheese sauce, rich with sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and cream cheese, with the buttery crunch of crushed Cheez-It crackers for a topping that takes it over the top. Perfectly al dente elbow macaroni is smothered in sauce and baked to golden perfection, creating a dish that’s equal parts cheesy, crunchy, and satisfying. Ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or when you're simply craving bold, nostalgic flavors, this baked mac and cheese is as easy to make as it is irresistible. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a go-to recipe for comfort food lovers everywhere.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 oz Cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
- 0.25 tsp Paprika
- 2 cups Cheez-It crackers, crushed
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps remain. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and cream cheese until fully melted and smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer the mac and cheese to a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the crushed Cheez-It crackers with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Mix thoroughly.
Sprinkle the Cheez-It topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
877 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 51.9 g | 67% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.4 g | 142% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 121 mg | 40% | |
| Sodium | 1098 mg | 48% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 76.3 g | 28% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.8 g | ||
| Protein | 30.6 g | 61% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 605 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 360 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
