Mac and Cheese with Shells Recipe
Mac and Cheese with Shells gets a grown-up upgrade with a creamy cheese sauce made from three cheeses (yes, three!)—ready in about 25 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, game nights, or a cozy family dinner, this recipe is simple, indulgent, and guaranteed to impress. The best part? The whole family will think you spent hours in the kitchen, when it really couldn’t be easier.
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 334kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound small pasta shells
- 2 tablsepoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups milk
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions.1 pound small pasta shells
- Grate the cheeses while the pasta cooks.8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, 8 ounces colby jack cheese
- Start the sauce when you drop the pasta: Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the flour and salt, and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.2 tablsepoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, ½ teaspoon salt
- Slowly whisk in the milk, increase the heat to medium-high, and continue whisking until the sauce is thickened and bubbly—about 4–5 minutes.3 cups milk
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheeses until melted.
- Reduce the heat to low, return the pot to the burner, and stir in the cooked pasta until everything is well combined and creamy.
Notes
For the best results and to match the timing in this recipe, use small pasta shells since they cook quickly. If you do, you can have this ready in about 20 minutes.
When making the sauce, don’t let the milk mixture cook too long—once it’s thick and bubbly, take it off the heat while you add the cheese and allow the burner to cool down a bit (on an electric stove). Overcooking can make the sauce gritty instead of silky smooth.
Recipe Yield: About 12 servings as a side or 8 servings as a main dish. Perfect for feeding a crowd—or having plenty of leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.
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Nutritional information is approximate.
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Nutrition
Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 361mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 480IU | Calcium: 346mg | Iron: 1mg