EASIEST HOMESTYLE MACARONI AND CHEESE

Easiest Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese image

My family always expects the 'real deal' homemade macaroni and cheese, and this recipe passed the 'family taste test' with flying colors on Easter. However, this time it was much easier to make, using jarred Alfredo sauce instead of homemade white sauce. Try it. It's easy as pie, and FABULOUS!

Provided by Ginger Hackley

Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h25m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

cooking spray
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 (16 ounce) packages elbow macaroni
2 (15 ounce) jars Alfredo sauce
1 (1 pound) package processed cheese (such as Velveeta®), cubed
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 (16 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
dry bread crumbs

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 10 1/2x13 1/2-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil; stir 1 teaspoon salt and vegetable oil into boiling water. Gradually stir macaroni into the boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until macaroni are tender but still slightly firm, about 10 minutes. Drain well and pour macaroni into prepared baking dish.
Pour Alfredo sauce into a 3-quart microwave-safe bowl and stir processed cheese into sauce; microwave on 60 percent power for 6 minutes. Stir sauce mixture and microwave for 5 more minutes on 60 percent power. Season with black pepper and paprika. Stir 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese into mixture until cheese has melted and sauce is thick and smooth.
Pour half the cheese sauce over macaroni and stir to coat; pour in remaining cheese mixture and stir again. Spread remaining shredded sharp Cheddar cheese over macaroni. Top casserole with bread crumbs.
Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is bubbling, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Broil casserole under oven's broiler for 3 to 4 minutes if you like a browned top. Let macaroni and cheese stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 479.1 calories, Carbohydrate 41.6 g, Cholesterol 58.9 mg, Fat 26.7 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 18.4 g, SaturatedFat 13.1 g, Sodium 997.1 mg, Sugar 4.7 g