Name: Best Macaroni & Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb noodles (cooked); 2 cans Cheddar Cheese Soup; 3 cups cheddar cheese (shredded); 4 Tb butter

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

My husband is known for making the best macaroni and cheese. Every time we bring it to an event, he’s asked for the recipe. Creamy, baked macaroni and cheese that has a secret ingredient…

Click HERE to save recipe to Pinterest

Over the years I’ve shared many mac and cheese recipes like twisted macaroni and cheese, stovetop creamy mac and cheese, and even macaroni and cheese flatbread.

This particular version is one of the first recipes I posted back in 2009 and I called it Mr. Williams’ Mac & Cheese. Bob is well known for it. Every time we go to a gathering, everyone raves about it and asks for the recipe.

It has a secret ingredient that I’ll bet you won’t expect – cheddar cheese soup.

spoonful of macaroni in a casserole dish

If you’ve ever been browsing the soup aisle at the market and seen Campbell’s Cheddar Cheese Soup and wondered what to do with it (like I used to), I’ve got an idea for you.

Adding it to your mac and cheese makes for a really creamy, cheesy sauce that bakes up beautifully.

INGREDIENTS

Noodles – We usually use cavatappi noodles in this recipe, but we happened to use regular macaroni noodles for this batch.
Cheddar Cheese Soup – Two cans of Campbell’s Cheddar Cheese Soup.
Shredded Cheese – We generally mix mild cheddar with mozzarella. Use your favorite.
Butter – To add to the top before you bake it.

cans of cheddar cheese soup with noodles

WHAT IS CHEDDAR CHEESE SOUP?

Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup is basically a very thick cheddar béchamel sauce, which would be made with butter, flour, milk, cheddar cheese and salt.

HOW DO YOU KEEP MAC & CHEESE CREAMY?

No one wants dried out macaroni and cheese, which can happen when you’re baking it. Adding canned cheddar cheese soup to this recipe helps to keep it really creamy.

WHICH CHEESES SHOULD I USE?

We typically use shredded mild cheddar and shredded mozzarella cheese when we make this recipe, but you can use all cheddar or mix up sharp cheddar cheese or white cheddar. Sometimes we use pepper jack to spice it up.

closeup of spoonful of the best macaroni and cheese

HOW DO YOU MAKE IT?

This recipe is so easy, you’re gonna love it.

STEP ONE: Boil the noodles in well salted water until al dente. Drain and return the noodles to the pan. Pour the cans of cheddar cheese soup over the noodles and stir to evenly distribute.

overhead shot of a pot of macaroni noodles

STEP TWO: Butter a casserole dish (or spray with non-stick spray) and start layering – noodles & shredded cheese – repeating until you’re out and ending with shredded cheese.

layer of cheese and noodles in a casserole dish

STEP THREE: Once you’re done making layers, add a few pats of butter and bake at 325 just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

That’s it! Serve and enjoy.

TOOLS FOUND ON AMAZON TO HELP YOU:

Colander – I used to think a colander with a handle with unnecessary but I really do love mine.
Casserole Dish – You’ll want to bake this recipe in a 9 x 13 casserole dish. If you use one with a lid, it makes it really easy to store leftovers.
Box Grater – I don’t always grate my own cheese, but every time I do I appreciate that I did. The cheese is creamier and melts better without the preservatives & anti-caking agents they put on shredded cheese.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH MAC & CHEESE:

CONNECT WITH PERSNICKETY PLATES!

Follow along on my social media so you never miss a post!

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

I made a fun group on Facebook for sharing recipes, asking questions, and talking about food. I’d love to have you! Request to join HERE.

Also, sign up to receive an email in your inbox for each new recipe:

FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION & EBOOK

If you MAKE & LOVE this recipe, share it on Instagram and tag me @melissa_pplates and/or #persnicketyplates so I can see it. I LOVE seeing what you make & I’ll share it in my stories!