Copycat Kraft Mac and Cheese

This post may contain affiliate links. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you.

Ultra creamy and cheesy, this Copycat Kraft Mac and Cheese is 100% kiddo approved and will have you throwing out all the boxed mac and cheese in your pantry! Kids love the real cheese taste and parents love how quickly it comes together.

Why Kids Love It

This mac and cheese is every kid’s favorite! Bright orange without the use of fake powdered cheese, and the ultimate comfort food to kids of all ages. It’s simple, creamy and cheesy with no bread topping. My kids love my homemade mac and cheese but even the pickiest of them call this one the best!

Unlike boxed Kraft Mac and Cheese, this one is rich in flavor, perfected with al dente pasta texture, and incredibly simple to make and pair with whatever you’re serving for dinner. This recipe is so quick and easy to make you’ll wonder why you ever bought the boxed stuff to begin with.

Need a big dutch oven?

Large Family Verified

This is easily my go-to Dutch oven! No matter what I throw at it, this pot can take it! Feeding a family of 8 is no small task and requires kitchen gadgets that are up to the challenge.

Check them out here

Ingredients

Pasta: Elbow macaroni is a must here. You can use any shape you want really but when switching kids from boxed to homemade, keep it as casual as possible so they’ll try it without an issue.
Butter, Flour, and Milk: These cooked together make the roux, which thickens the creamy cheesy sauce.
Cheeses: Cracker Barrel Cheddar is found at most grocery stores. This bright orange cheddar is a must! Buy it by the block and shred yourself at home. Mix that with Colby Jack for a bit of a bite that is subtle enough for kids to handle.
Seasonings: Simple salt and pepper are all we’re using here. Keep it simple and keep it familiar.

Variations

Making this gluten-free is as easy as using gluten-free 1:1 flour in the roux, and gluten-free pasta.
To make this dairy-free, use vegan butter, full-fat coconut milk or almond milk (non-flavored), and vegan cheese. If using vegan cheese, it will come pre-shredded.

Instructions with Video

Cook the pasta to al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water to thin out the sauce later if needed. Strain the rest and set aside until the sauce is whipped up.
Melt the butter and add flour. Cook the flour until it absorbs all of the butter and there are no clumps of flour left. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking, to thicken into the base of the sauce.
Bring to a simmer, add spices and shredded cheese. Use the same whisk to combine and create a smooth sauce. Take off the heat.
Add the pasta back to the Dutch oven and stir with a spoon to coat all the pasta. If you want the sauce a bit thinner, add a couple of Tablespoons of pasta water at a time to the Dutch oven.

Equipment

4-quart Dutch Oven or larger
Whisk
Measuring cups and utensils
Wooden stirring spoon
Collander

Don’t forget to check out my shop for some of my favorite products!

Get the goods!

Want more? Check out our app, ebook, and more!

FAQ’s

To bake or not to bake

If you’re going for the kid-friendly, Kraft copycat, skip the baking. It adds another layer of texture that the kids aren’t always jazzed about.

Skip the pre-shredded cheese

If possible, shred your own from a block. Pre-shredded has an anti-caking coating for when it is sealed in the bag. But this means it doesn’t melt clean. Shred it yourself and you’ll have a smoother sauce.

What to top it with

For an adult favorite, top the mac and cheese with fresh pepper, parsley, bacon, sauteed onions, breadcrumbs, or add in chunks of ham for a ham and cheese mac!

What is a roux

A roux is a paste made out of butter and flour, then thinned with milk (or sometimes broth) that is the base for thickened sauces.

dutch oven full of kid-friendly copycat kraft mac and cheese

Katie’s Tips

Pour the milk in slowly and judge the thickness of your sauce based off of that. It will thin a bit when the pasta is added just from the leftover water on the pasta.
Spoon into small personal skillets or Dutch ovens as part of a Mac and Cheese bar. Let kids add extras if they want and broil individually if desired. Everyone gets the best mac and cheese, just as they like it!
Season the pasta water heavily with salt, never with oil. This adds loads of flavor to the pasta itself.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 5 days in an air-tight container. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low with a splash of fresh milk to loosen the sauce. To make a big batch and freeze, use a throwaway container. Once the mac and cheese is fully made, pour into the container. Top with tinfoil before freezing and keep up to 6 months.

When reheating from frozen, allow it to defrost in the refrigerator overnight the day prior to cooking. Then pop in a 350F oven for about 20-30 minutes covered. Uncover and top with more cheese and return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes if desired.

close up image of copycat kraft mac and cheese on a spoon

More Mac and Cheese Recipes You’ll Love

REcipes

mixing the bacon into the white macaroni

Dutch Oven Bacon Mac and Cheese

Kids’ Picks! Serve Mac and Cheese with

Hey, if you want to catch all my videos, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel. You’ll be notified each time I share a new video!

If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!