• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Carrots & Cookies
  • Home
  • About Kristi Ruth RD/RDN, CNSC, LDN
  • Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home Recipes Dinner

    10-Minute White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

    Published: Oct 11, 2023 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Easy and delicious homemade white cheddar mac and cheese recipe made with protein pasta and a creamy cheese sauce just like Panera's. This is a fiber and protein-rich version of the childhood classic!

    White cheddar mac and cheese in a white bowl and topped with Old Bay seasoning.

    I don't know about your kids, but mine have been ordering mac and cheese at restaurants for years. My oldest especially loves mac and cheese and insists that Panera has "the best" mac and cheese.

    Well, if you know me, you know I'm up for a good challenge. 😉 I've been determined to come up with a version of mac and cheese that my daughter approves that isn't quite as high in saturated fat or salt, and this is it!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Dietitian Tip
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to Make White Cheddar Mac n Cheese
    • Helpful Tips
    • Recipe Variations
    • What to Serve with Mac and Cheese
    • Questions You May Have
    • Related Recipes
    • More Easy Dinner Recipes
    • 10-Minute White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Easy recipe This recipe is so easy! In fact, if your kids are old enough to use the microwave and a whisk, they can make the cheese sauce.
    • 10-Minute recipe In order to make this recipe in 10 minutes, you'll need to cook the cheddar cheese sauce in the microwave as the pasta cooks on the stovetop.
    • Kid-tested This recipe is kid-tested, and parent approved! I tried adding garlic powder, onion powder, and even more Dijon mustard, but my kids gave it a thumbs down. As is usually the case, simple is best. 🤩
    • Delicious side or main dish This mac and cheese recipe is SO much better than what you will find at the grocery store!

    Dietitian Tip

    Mac and cheese served warm, with a creamy texture and one consistent color is what makes it a favorite comfort food for many, especially children.

    Still, homemade macaroni and cheese is often very high in saturated fat, while being low in fiber, which is not good for heart health. This is why I decided to come up with a recipe that uses olive oil instead of butter, 2-percent milk instead of heavy cream, and pasta that is higher in both fiber and protein.

    Now, don't get me wrong. My version is not 'low' in saturated fat or sodium because it's still made with cheese, but the amount is lower than most traditional recipes.

    And, to clarify - I'm not saying you should never allow your kids to eat traditional mac and cheese (made with butter and whole milk or cream), I'm just letting you know that there are different ways to make it. 😊

    Ingredient Notes

    Ingredients to make white cheddar mac and cheese, labeled.
    • Pasta I like to use Barilla Protein+ elbows pasta to make mac and cheese because it's higher in fiber and protein and the look and taste of it are more similar to traditional pasta when compared to chickpea or whole wheat pasta.
    • Sharp white cheddar cheese Medium cheddar didn't have quite enough flavor, and extra sharp was too sharp for my kids. Use white instead of yellow cheddar to make white mac and cheese.
    • Milk I use 2% milk. If you don't have 2% milk, you can use whole milk. I do not suggest making this with skim milk. In my experience, the cheddar cheese sauce will be too thin if you use skim milk.
    • Flour Un-bleached all-purpose flour. You can use whole wheat flour, but the sauce will look more grainy and not as white.
    • Oil I use extra virgin olive oil. Avocado oil or melted unsalted butter can be used instead.
    • Dijon mustard I don't suggest using more than the recipe calls for. I tried doubling the amount and my kids didn't like it.

    How to Make White Cheddar Mac n Cheese

    Four images showing how to make white cheddar mac and cheese.

    Here is a brief summary of how to make white cheddar mac and cheese from scratch. For a complete list of ingredients and full instructions, please scroll down to the recipe card below.

    1. Use a large pot or Dutch oven to cook pasta to al dente according to the package instructions. Drain pasta.
    2. While the pasta is cooking, make a white sauce in the microwave.
    3. Add the grated cheese to the white sauce. Stir until the cheese is melted.
    4. Use a spatula to stir the cheese sauce into the cooked pasta.
    5. Serve and enjoy!

    Helpful Tips

    • Use a box grater or food processor to grate the cheese.
    • Do not use package pre-shredded cheese. The anti-caking agents added to pre-shredded cheese will give the sauce a different texture and will make it harder for the cheese to melt.
    • If you want to use butter instead of oil, melt butter first.

    Recipe Variations

    • Add hot sauce for a little spice.
    • For more adventurous eaters, try sprinkling Old Bay seasoning on top of the mac n cheese for incredible flavor.
    • If you have time, turn this into oven baked mac and cheese to change it up! All you need to do is pour the mac and cheese in a square baking dish, sprinkle with panko breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and bake in the oven until the top is light golden brown in color.

    What to Serve with Mac and Cheese

    Some of these ideas are inspired by what my kids choose to order with a small mac and cheese as a 'you pick two' at Panera.

    • A Veggie It's the dietitian in me, haha! Broccoli, peas, or carrots.
    • Salad
    • Applesauce
    • Barbecue chicken
    • Half of wrap
    • Half of a sandwich
    • Butternut Squash Soup

    Questions You May Have

    Can the cheese sauce be made on the stovetop?

    Yes, it can. However, I find it much easier (and quicker!) to make the sauce in a microwave, still the cheese sauce can be made on the stovetop if you prefer.

    To make the sauce on the stovetop, first, whisk the oil, flour, and salt together in a large saucepan. Add the milk, whisk well, and cook over medium heat. Whisk frequently until the sauce thickens and is bubbly. Turn the heat off, then whisk in the cheese.

    How do you store mac and cheese?

    Leftovers can be stored in the fridge. Be sure to let it cool to at least room temp before placing it in the refrigerator.

    Can you make mac and cheese ahead of time?

    For best results, you should make mac and cheese the same day you will be serving it.
    Still, you can do some of the prep work ahead of time.

    For instance, the pasta can be cooked ahead of time and the cheese can be grated and stored in the fridge up to a few days before using it. To keep the noodles from sticking together, stir in a tablespoon of olive oil before storing in an airtight container.

    Related Recipes

    • Cheese quesadillas
    • Easy pasta with tuna
    • Tortellini with Pesto

    More Easy Dinner Recipes

    • Chicken in white sauce served in a white bowl with a golden spoon.
      20-Minute Chicken in White Sauce
    • Cherry tomato sauce topped with two small basil leaves and a sprig of fresh oregano served in a white bowl with a white spoon.
      Easy Cherry Tomato Sauce for Pasta
    • Five cooked jerk lime boneless pork chops overlapping each other one a white plate with broccoli to the right.
      Best Oven Baked Boneless Pork Chops
    • One margherita flatbread sliced. A pizza roller is to the right of the flatbread.
      10-Minute Margherita Flatbread

    Did you make this mac and cheese recipe and love it? Please let me know by giving it a 5-star rating or leave a review below. It's the best compliment!

    Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for more nutrition tips and easy recipes!

    White cheddar mac and cheese topped with Old Bay seasoning and served in a white bowl.

    10-Minute White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

    Kristi
    Easy and delicious homemade white cheddar mac and cheese made with protein pasta and a creamy cheese sauce just like Panera's.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 7 minutes mins
    Total Time 12 minutes mins
    Course dinner, lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 half-cup servings
    Calories 432 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Large pot or Dutch oven
    • 1 medium mixing bowl Microwave safe
    • 1 pasta strainer For pasta
    • 1 Whisk For sauce
    • 1 Measuring cups and spoons set
    • 1 Box Grater

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ Cups Barilla Protein+ or Chickpea pasta Can use any type of elbow macaroni pasta.
    • 1 ½ Cups 2% Milk
    • 2 Cups White cheddar cheese Grated. Do not use pre-shredded.
    • 2 tablespoon Flour
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
    • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard Smooth dijon, not the kind with grains.
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • Pinch Pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Cook pasta according to the package instructions. Once pasta is al dente, drain pasta and set aside.
    • While pasta is cooking, make the cheese sauce:
      First, whisk together flour, oil, salt, and pepper.
    • Add milk to the flour and oil mixture. Whisk very well.
    • Place the bowl with the milk mixture in the microwave and microwave for 3-4 minutes, stopping every 45 seconds to whisk the mixture. The mixture is ready when it is thicker and bubbly.
    • Remove the bowl from the microwave and immediately stir in the white cheddar cheese and dijon mustard.
    • Pour the cheese sauce over the drained pasta. Stir to combine.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    *Nutrition facts are an estimate using a database. Exact nutritional information will depend on the specific brands, ingredients, and amounts used when you make it.
    1. My favorite type of pasta to use when I make this is Barilla Protein+ because it's higher in protein and the color and texture are so similar to traditional elbow macaroni pasta.
    2. Do not use pre-shredded cheese to make this mac and cheese. Anti-caking agents are added to packaged pre-shredded cheese that changes the texture and keeps it from melting as easily. 
    3. Most mac and cheese recipes call for whole milk or cream. I tried different kinds of milk to reduce the amount of saturated fat. 2% milk worked very well but when I made this with skim milk it wasn't as creamy.
    4. I have used whole wheat flour in place of all-purpose flour, and it worked, but it had a darker color.
    5. For extra flavor, try topping it with Old Bay seasoning or hot sauce. My daughter's friend gave me the idea for Old Bay - it's delicious!
    6. Let cool completely before storing leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge.
    7. The cheese sauce can be made on the stovetop instead of in a microwave, but it will take longer. Instruction on how to make the cheese sauce on the stove can be found toward the bottom of the recipe post.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupsCalories: 432kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 25gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 535mgPotassium: 113mgFiber: 8gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 438IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 383mgIron: 6mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Dinner

    • Four slices of BBQ chicken flatbread pizza up close.
      10-Minute BBQ Chicken Flatbread
    • Pineapple mango salsa in a white ramekin with pieces of cheese quesadilla placed around it.
      The Easiest Pineapple Mango Salsa
    • Pieces of a cheese quesadilla on a white plate with guacamole, mango salsa, and salsa.
      Easy Cheese Quesadilla Recipe
    • Pasta with Tuna meal in a square white 9x9 serving dish.
      15-Minute Pasta Recipe with Tuna

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Kristi Ruth RD wearing a green top with jeans and holding a white platter with tri-colored carrots.

    Welcome to Carrots & Cookies! I'm a registered dietitian and busy working mom of three on a mission to provide you with easy recipes and tips to make every minute you spend in your kitchen count! More about me...

    Popular Recipes

    • One serving of lasagna on a white plate with a napkin in front of the plate.
      Easy Lasagna Recipe with Cottage Cheese
    • Slices of roasted pork tenderloin with broccolini to the left and fresh rosemary to the right of the cooked tenderloin.
      30-Minute Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin
    • Air fried broccoli on a white plate with a fork.
      Super Easy Air Fryer Broccoli Parmesan
    • Black beans and rice with a lime wedge and a few blue tortilla chips on a white plate.
      Best Black Beans and Rice Recipe
    • Square image of five lunch boxes for teenagers: one Adidas black and grey lunch box, two Vera Bradley lunch boxes (one with a floral print and another with a black and grey print), one black Jansport backpack style lunch box, and one blue Roxy lunch bag with red floral detail.
      Best School Lunch Boxes for Teens
    • Guacamole in a glass bowl with one chip and a slice of lime.
      Incredible 4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe

    Favorite Recipes For Fall

    • Top view of pumpkin overnight oats in a small white ramekin topped with pecans, whipped cream, and mini chocolate chips.
      Best Pumpkin Overnight Oats
    • Apple baked oatmeal with cranberries in a square white bowl.
      Apple Oatmeal Bake
    • Half of a loaf of pumpkin chocolate chop bread sliced on white plate.
      The Best Pumpkin Bread Recipe (with Chocolate Chips!)
    • Apple crumble being served with a spoon.
      Easy Apple Pear Crisp
    • Quarters of round pumpkin waffles overlapping and topped with a drizzle of maple syrup on a white plate.
      Easy Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles
    • air fried apple slices in a square white bowl
      Air Fryer Apple Slices

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest

    Footer

    carrots and cookies featured in banner

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Copyright © 2020 Carrots & Cookies