Mac and Cheese with Cream Cheese

Total Time Prep/Total Time: 30 min.
Yield 8 servings
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Yes, it's a recipe for mac and cheese with cream cheese. And regular cheese. And it's a dish that you're going to make again and again, soon with your own favorite variations.

Ingredients

  • 1-3/4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 6 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
  2. Reduce heat; add cheeses, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Drain macaroni; add to cheese sauce and stir to coat.
  3. Transfer to a greased shallow 3-qt. or 13x9-in. baking dish. Melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs and parsley. Sprinkle over macaroni. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown, 15-20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 468 calories, 31g fat (18g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 604mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein.

This is by far the creamiest, tastiest and most special macaroni and cheese I have ever tried. I'm not usually a fan of the homemade kind, but when a friend served this mac and cheese with cream cheese, I had to have the recipe. Since it's so little fuss and well received, it's a terrific potluck dish. —Catherine Odgen, Middlegrove, New York
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC