Velveeta Mac and Cheese

Step 1

Butter a 9x13 baking pan and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Once boiling add the pasta and cook to al dente according to the package directions. Start the cheese béchamel sauce while the pasta is cooking.

Step 3

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk into the melted butter until smooth. Cook, stirring, until the butter mixture turns golden brown, around 5 minutes.

Step 4

Slowly whisk in one cup of the milk, adding very slowly to avoid clumps, whisking continuously. Once combined, whisk in the rest of the milk slowly, until all of the milk is whisked into the mixture.

Step 5

Whisk in the onion powder, mustard powder, salt and pepper.

Step 6

Bring to a low simmer, not boiling, stirring, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue simmering for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from burning on the bottom, until the mixture is smooth and the flour is no longer gritty in the mixture. The mixture should coat the back of a spoon when done.

Step 7

During this cooking time for the sauce, the pasta will be done. Drain the pasta well and place into a large bowl and set aside for a few minutes.

Step 8

Take the sauce off the heat and stir in the cubes of Velveeta, slowly letting it melt into the sauce. Add in the sharp cheddar, slowly, by handfuls, until it's all melted into the sauce.

Step 9

Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta in the large bowl stirring to coat the pasta completely.

Step 10

Spoon the pasta and sauce into the prepared 9×13 baking pan in one layer.

Step 11

In a medium bowl, combine the Panko, parsley and Parmesan. Once mixed, pour the butter on top of the Panko mixture and mix gently until well combined.

Step 12

Sprinkle the panko topping on top of the mac and cheese. Bake the mac and cheese in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until warmed through.

Step 13

Remove from the oven, cool for 5 minutes to let the sauce set, then serve