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Overhead close up of one serving of Mac and Cheese with Shells in a bowl.
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Shell Mac and Cheese Recipe

This shell mac and cheese recipe is rich, creamy, and ready in just 25 minutes. Made with three cheeses and tender pasta shells, it's an easy stovetop macaroni and cheese that's perfect for a family dinner or comforting side dish.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: homemade macaroni and cheese, shells and cheese, stovetop macaroni and cheese
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 334kcal
Author: Mindy Boyd

Ingredients

  • 1 pound small pasta shells
  • 2 tablespoons 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 tablespoons 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 creamiest results, use small pasta shells. They cook quickly and hold plenty of cheese sauce in every bite.
Don't overcook the sauce. Once it's thick and bubbly, remove it from the heat before stirring in the cheese. Overheating the cheese can make the sauce grainy instead of smooth.
 
Recipe Yield: About 12 side-dish servings or 8 main-dish servings—perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers.
 
Nutrition information is approximate and will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands used.
 
 
 

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