Baked Loaded Velveeta Mac and Cheese Recipe

Our version of loaded Velveeta mac and cheese is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Homemade Velveeta cheese sauce with tender mac is what mac and cheese dreams are made of and when you can turn this into a hearty meal that your whole family gobbles up, even better. It’s a real crowd pleaser.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: Dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 30 minute meal, brunch casserole, Casserole, comfort food, easy recipe

Servings: Servings

Calories: 678kcal

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Kitchen Essentials

Aluminum Cake Pan

Casserole Set

Roasting Pan

Vintage Measuring

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

8 Ounces Elbow Macaroni about 2 cups dry or other small pasta of choice
10.8 Ounces Broccoli Florets 1 Steamfresh bag
8 Ounces Black Forest Ham Deli Meat Diced
1 Medium Vidalia Onion Diced
8 Ounces Velveeta Original Cheese 1 boxed loaf cubed
1 Cups Whole Milk or heavy cream
1 Cup Cheddar Cheese or other cheese blend shredded

Instructions

Cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions until it is al dente. Drain and set aside.
Place the broccoli florets in the microwave in the Steamer bag and cook on high for 6 minutes.
Dice the onion and place in a microwave safe bowl, cook on high for 2 minutes. Set aside
Dice the thinly sliced deli ham into small bite-size pieces. Set aside.
Cut the block of Velveeta cheese into cubes and add to a large saucepan or kettle, add the milk and cook on medium heat. Stir occasionally until the cheese is melted and incorporated into the milk. You will see a rich, velvety sauce. Turn off the heat and set aside.
Casserole Assembly. Prepare a 9 X 13 baking dish with cooking spray. Layer in the cooked pasta, broccoli, onion, and ham. Pour the cheese sauce over the top.
Top with the shredded cheese, today we used a combination of shredded cheddar and mozzarella. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or until hot and bubbly. The cheese should be melted and starting to turn golden in color in a few places.

Notes

Does homemade mac and cheese need to be refrigerated?

Yes, for food safety, once it has come to room temperature, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 5 days.

Just reheat as needed.

Can you freeze mac and cheese?

Yes, you can store it in a freezer safe airtight container or a heavy duty freezer bag for up to 2 months. Make sure to add a label and date.

Best Way to Reheat Macaroni and Cheese

There are two different methods I use to reheat mac and cheese: the microwave and the oven. Using the stovetop can cause the cheese sauce mixture to stick and burn to the bottom of the pan.

The fastest method is using the microwave. Just scoop your desired portion into a microwave safe dish and microwave in 1 minute increments until hot. Stirring between each minute of heating. If desired, add a tablespoon of milk or teaspoon of butter and mix to help revive the creamy gooey textures.

The second method is to bake. Add your desired portion into an oven-safe dish. I like to add a dollop of butter to make sure that it doesn’t dry out. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nutrition