• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Amy Casey Cooks
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • RSS
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • RSS
  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Pasta

    Super Easy and Cheesy Mac and Cheese

    Modified: Nov 23, 2022 ยท Published: Oct 30, 2020 ยท by Amy Casey ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 5 Comments

    Share it!

    9273 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    serving bowl of super cheesy mac and cheese

    Look no further for a super easy and Cheesy and Mac and Cheese recipe. This stove top recipe is ready in about 20 minutes and is rich, decadent and loaded with two kinds of freshly grated cheese. You'll make this side dish recipe over and over again.

    overflowing dish of super cheesy and easy mac and cheese.

    Warning! Cheesiness ahead! This easy mac and cheese is over the top with a super thick cheese sauce. It's so thick, a spoon stands straight up in the decadent double cheese sauce. If you are looking for the ultimate cheesy deliciousness, then this is the recipe for you!

    Most of my clients request special diet recipes like paleo, gluten free or keto. But every once in a while (and sometimes even more frequently), a personal chef client will have me prepare mac and cheese. One of my clients loved this recipe so much, I made it for them every week!

    pasta, butter, mustard, flour, nutmeg.

    Ingredients

    • Fusilli or cavatappi pasta ~ these pasta shapes really hold on to the cheese sauce
    • Salted butter
    • All purpose flour
    • Whole milk
    • Colby Jack cheese
    • Sharp cheddar cheese
    • Mustard
    • Nutmeg
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper ~ a pepper mill is a kitchen must!

    If a client is going to splurge, than this the the cheesy mac and cheese dish I make for them. The recipe is all made in one pot. Clean up is a breeze!

    What's the best cheese for mac and cheese?

    Use two kinds of cheese for the most delicious sauce. Colby Jack cheese melts creamy smooth and sharp cheddar adds a tangier, more intense cheese flavor.

    Freshly shredding the cheese is a must. The packaged shredded cheese available at the grocery store is coated with starch or cellulose (usually potato starch or plant fiber) to prevent it from clumping and sticking together. This additive also hinders the cheese from melting together. Use a box grater or food processor to make quick work of shredding cheese.

    This mac and cheese is not for the faint of heart. The recipe makes an ultra thick cheese sauce. If your preference is for a thinner sauce, add additional whole milk until reaching the desired consistency.

    pot with cheese sauce and cooked pasta.

    Expert cooking tips

    • Make sure to use a large pot (this 6 quart pot is my favorite) with plenty of water to cook the pasta. Use at least 2 quarts of water for this recipe. Ample water helps dilute the starch in the water so the pasta is less likely to stick together.
    • Generously salt the boiling water to help flavor the pasta.
    • Do not add oil to the boiling pasta water. Oil will make the sauce not cling to the pasta.
    • Cook the pasta for the minimum time on the package ~ taste ~ and continue cooking or drain as needed.
    • Have all the ingredients ready for making the cheese sauce. The ultra cheesy sauce comes together rather quickly so this helps the recipe prep go smoothly.
    • Use two kinds of cheese for the most delicious sauce. Colby Jack cheese melts creamy smooth and sharp cheddar adds a tangier, more intense cheese flavor.
    • This easy mac and cheese recipe makes an ultra thick cheese sauce. If your preference is for a thinner sauce, add additional room temperature milk ยผ cup at a time until the desired consistency. When reheating the mac and cheese, extra milk can be added.
    grated cheddar cheese and a serving bowl with easy mac and cheese.

    More comfort food recipes

    • Turkey Sloppy Joe Stuffed Potatoes
    • Creamy Broccoli and Cheese Soup
    • Irish Stew with Lamb and Guinness
    • Baked Chicken Mozzarella Marinara
    • Cabbage Roll Meatballs

    One more thing

    Photo of Amy Casey of amycaseycooks.com

    Did you try this recipe?

    Let me know by leaving a comment and a star rating below. Share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.

    Thanks ~ Amy

    Print

    Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    serving dish with super cheesy and easy mac and cheese.

    Super Cheesy and Easy Mac and Cheese


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    • Author: Amy Casey
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    Pin Recipe
    Print Recipe

    Description

    Look no further for a super cheesy and easy mac and cheese recipe. This stove top recipe is ready in about 20 minutes and is fabulously decadent and loaded with two kinds of freshly grated cheese. You will be making this one over and over again.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 3 cups fusilli or cavatappi pasta
    • 6 tablespoons salted butter
    • 6 tablespoons all purpose flour
    • 3 cups whole milk ~ at room temperature
    • 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese (from a 4 ounce block of cheese)
    • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (from an 8 ounce block of cheese)
    • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
    • pinch of nutmeg
    • 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
    • ยฝ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

    Instructions

    1. Fill a large pot with water. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. This is my go-to 6 quart pot for lots of my cooking. 
    2. Add 2 teaspoons of kosher salt to the boiling water and the pasta. Stir.
    3. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package.
    4. Drain the pasta and set aside. Do not rinse with cold water.
    5. Place the empty pot back on the burner over medium low heat.
    6. Add the butter. When the butter has melted and begins to foam, whisk in the flour. Cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
    7. Whisk in the milk, stirring to remove any lumps.
    8. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
    9. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the shredded cheeses. 
    10. Stir in the mustard, nutmeg, the remaining 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and pepper.
    11. Stir in the pasta. Season to taste and serve immediately. 
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: entree
    • Method: stove top
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ยผ of recipe
    • Calories: 829
    • Sugar: 11.3 g
    • Sodium: 2481 mg
    • Fat: 52.1 g
    • Saturated Fat: 32.4 g
    • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
    • Trans Fat: 0 g
    • Carbohydrates: 56.4 g
    • Fiber: 2.2 g
    • Protein: 35.1 g
    • Cholesterol: 153 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @amycaseycooks on Instagram so we can all admire your work 🙂

    a serving bowl of super cheesy mac and cheese.

    More Pasta

    • serving of sesame noodles with chopsticks.
      Garlic Sesame Noodles {One Pot Recipe}
    • 6 macaroni and cheese bites on a teal plate.
      Mac and Cheese Bites
    • lobster noodles with mushrooms in a sautรฉ pan.
      Garlic Lobster Noodles ~ Easy Recipe!
    • bowl of noodles with Parmesan
      Parmesan Buttered Noodles with Garlic

    Share it!

    9273 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. Rae Anna

      January 05, 2025 at 7:35 pm

      This is identical to how I decided to make my pasta this evening. I will taste it in a day and know if the flavor soaked in! I use garlic powder, onion powder, chicken bouillon powder, hot sauce, and paprika to add flavor!

      Reply
      • Amy Casey

        January 08, 2025 at 7:50 am

        Yea! Thanks for sharing your additions.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Personal chef Amy Casey.

    I'm Amy Casey and welcome to Amy Casey Cooks! I have a lifelong love of food and 20 years experience as a personal chef while cooking for over 300 clients. I share my tested, tried and true easy recipes, cooking and kitchen tips, and videos so you can make restaurant quality meals in your own kitchen. More about my culinary journey.

    Trending Popular Recipes

    • baked ham and egg cups
      Super Easy Ham and Egg Cups

    • bowl of cooked fluffy rice
      How to Cook Perfectly Fluffy White Rice {No Fail}

    • 2 pieces of baked cod with crispy panko topping.
      Baked Cod with Crispy Garlic Herb Panko

    • baked oysters with 2 kinds of cheese
      Easy Baked Oysters

    Footer

    As Seen On

    Amy Casey cooks featured on logos

    back to top

    About

    • About Amy
    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    More Info

    • Privacy Policy
    • Recipe Index
    • Accessibility Policy

    I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. By using these affiliate links, you are helping support this site - at no additional cost to you - and I genuinely appreciate your support. For more information, please see my disclosure policy for further details.

    Copyright © 2025 AmyCaseyCooks