# Holiday Mac and Cheese

A creamy and rich mac and cheese perfect for the holidays, emphasizing simplicity and classic flavors.

- Total time: 21 min
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 1.5 lb Velveeta
- 2 lb Velveeta
- 8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese (for the sauce, use block if possible)
- 1 cup hot pasta water
- 1 pint half & half
- 0.5 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder
- Salt
- 10 oz mixed shredded cheddar cheese (for layers and topping)
- 16 oz mixed shredded cheddar cheese (for layers and topping)

## Instructions

1. Salt boiling water and add noodles.
2. Once cooked, immediately strain the noodles, reserving some pasta water.
3. Use the same pot for the sauce to save on dishes.
4. Add some reserved pasta water to the pot on medium heat.
5. Add half and half to the pot.
6. Add Velveeta to the pot and stir occasionally on medium heat until fully melted.
7. Turn off the heat and add sharp cheddar cheese, stirring it in bit by bit.
8. Season with black pepper, chicken bouillon, and salt to taste.
9. Pour about three-quarters of the sauce into the cooked macaroni and mix without smashing the mac.
10. Grate any remaining sharp cheddar into the bowl.
11. Layer the mac and cheese: start with a layer of sauce, then some shredded mixed cheddar cheese, then more macaroni.
12. Add the rest of the sauce.
13. Toss the mac and cheese in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
14. Broil on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute after baking.

## Equipment

- pot
- strainer
- grater
- oven

## Tips

- Don't throw away pasta water, use it for the sauce to reduce waste and thicken the sauce with starch.
- Keep holiday mac and cheese simple with minimal seasonings.
- Velveeta helps keep the mac and cheese creamier for leftovers.
- Layer the mac and cheese for best results.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Aw7yJeLZq/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/68f60c3e-dcb4-40ad-9a60-87033cfb7b35
- Extracted: 2026-01-20

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt