Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

Home » Side Dish Recipes » Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

by Stephanie Manley, Last Updated 15 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese is classic comfort food we all love. This oven-baked mac and cheese has a rich and creamy sauce. This comfort classic is made with real Cheddar cheese sauce, and is made in a conventional oven. Your mac and cheese never tasted so good!

Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (1)

Table of Contents

Stouffer’s Mac and Cheese

Stouffer’s Macaroni & Cheese has always been a delicious family favorite of mine. I have long wanted to put together a recipe for this classic dish just for you. What’s more, this copycat Stouffer’s Mac & Cheese recipe is made entirely from scratch.

Although Stouffer’s claims to use all-natural ingredients, this copycat recipe will please all those who want to enjoy their favorite store-bought dishes, but also cut out preservatives and any ingredient with a chemical-sounding name.

Why this Copycat Stouffer’s Mac and Cheese Recipe is the Best

Because this recipe uses a couple of types of cheese, it has a wonderful rich cheesy taste. With two different kinds of cheese, you get a flavor with more depth.

A touch of mustard powder and paprika adds a little more interest.

This casserole is made in a pan on the stovetop and then gets baked in the oven. This gives you those nice browned bits on top.

While I normally use elbow pasta for this recipe, you could use other shapes of pasta if you desire. Sometimes I like to vary things by using shells, wheel-shaped pasta, or another type of pasta. So, feel free to substitute whatever you have around in your kitchen.

Make Stouffer’s Mac & Cheese from Scratch

This creamy and cheesy classic mac and cheese is pure comfort food made easily from scratch in about thirty minutes. Mac and cheese doesn’t get any better than this! Serve it up with a salad or a green vegetable, and you’ve got dinner.

Ingredients

This is what you need to make the mac and cheese:

  • Elbow Pasta
  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Milk
  • Colby Cheese
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Dry Mustard Powder
  • Paprika

While we normally use elbow pasta for this recipe, you could use other shapes of pasta if you desire. Sometimes I like to use shells, wheel-shaped pasta, or another type of pasta.

Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (2)

How to Make Copycat Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese

  1. Prepare pasta according to package instructions.
  2. Melt butter in a medium-sized pot over medium-loe heat. Whisk in flour, stir and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Slowly add a third of the milk while stirring. Continue to stir until the mixture has thickened.
  4. Slowly add another third of the milk while stirring. Repeat with the remaining third of the milk.
  5. Slowly add shredded cheese to the milk mixture.
Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (3)
  1. Stir until cheese is completely melted.
  2. Add dry mustard and paprika. Stir to combine.
Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (4)
  1. Stir cooked the cooked elbow macaroni into the sauce.
  2. Pour pasta mixture into a casserole dish.
  3. Bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Set aside for about five minutes before serving.
  4. Serve and enjoy!
Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (5)

Can You Freeze Mac and Cheese?

The short answer is… yes! Like other cheesy pasta casseroles such as lasagna, mac and cheese freezes well.

You might want to freeze some in separate small containers for easy lunch reheating.

Don’t bother buying frozen products because, once in your freezer, this homemade classic mac and cheese recipe will be the best frozen mac and cheese ever.

If you want a recipe with four different types of cheese for an even more special treat, try myLonghorn Steakhouse Macaroni and Cheese.

Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (6)

Love Macaroni and Cheese? Try these Recipes

  • Lubys Mac and Cheese
  • Sweetie Pies Mac N Cheese
  • Spicy Macaroni and Cheese
  • Martha Stewart 3 Cheese Mac and Cheese
  • Horn and Hardart Baked Macaroni and Cheese
  • Panera Bread Mac and Cheese Recipe
  • Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
  • Boston Market Mac and Cheese
  • Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese

Main Dishes for Mac and Cheese

  • Best Honey Baked Ham Recipe
  • Ritz Cracker Fried Chicken
  • Slow Roasted Beef Roast

Be sure to check out my great side dishes and pasta recipes.

Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Recreate the browned cheesy baked Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese when you make this recipe.

5 from 12 votes

Print Pin Rate Add to Collection

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 533kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces elbow pasta
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 8 ounces Colby cheese
  • 8 ounces mild Cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  • Shred the cheese.

  • Prepare the elbow pasta according to package directions.

  • In a medium-size pot over medium heat, add butter and flour. Cook and stir continuously for about 1 minute. The flour paste should become fragrant.

  • Slowly add milk in thirds and stir until it has thickened before adding the next portion of milk.

  • Slowly add shredded cheese to the milk mixture. Make sure all cheese melts completely before adding the next portion of cheese.

  • Add dry mustard powder and paprika and stir well.

  • Drain pasta. Stir pasta into cheese sauce.

  • Place the cheese and pasta mixture in a large 2-quart baking dish.

  • Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.

  • If desired, turn oven to broil and allow the top of the mac and cheese to brown a moment or two before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 533kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 533mg | Potassium: 276mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1045IU | Calcium: 631mg | Iron: 1.2mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

REVEALED: Copycat Secrets for 2023

free email bonus

Yes, you CAN make it at home!I'll show you how.

We are a participant 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.

Previous Post: « How To Make An Orange Julius

Next Post: Simple and Easy Baked Salmon »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sondra

    Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (8)
    I love the idea of making homemade mac and cheese using Stouffer’s as a base! It’s such an easy and delicious recipe that anyone can make, and it tastes just like the real thing.

    Reply

  2. YesNoSpin

    Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (9)
    I love this recipe! It’s so easy and tastes great.

    Reply

  3. Susan

    I think this is better than the original. So good. Thanks for the recipe,

    Reply

  4. Lisa Brady

    Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (10)
    I make this for my grandkids and they absolutely love it!

    Reply

  5. Ken Easterling

    Nutritional Values:
    Calories: 533kcal
    Fat: 31g
    Saturated Fat: 19g
    Cholesterol: 93mg
    Sodium: 533mg
    Potassium: 276mg
    Carbohydrates: 35g
    Fiber: 1g
    Sugar: 5g
    Net Carbohydrates: 29g
    Protein: 26g

    Reply

  6. s conway

    This is a standard mac and cheese recipe and doesn’t come close to Stouffer’s unique flavor.

    Reply

  7. Sharon Sandlin

    Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (11)
    Thank you Stephanie ! In your opinion, would you make this scratch recipe or purchase Stouffer’s Mac ‘Cheese to feed approx 34 people….. Which would be more economical?? I know scratch is better….

    Reply

  8. J Williams

    This came out good but not creamy how can I fix that?

    Reply

    • Lee James

      I will try half and half and add slowly to the rue. Make sure to add cheese slowly as it melts.

      Reply

  9. DOLLY

    Do you have a good recipe for a Bread Pudding that is custardy

    Reply

  10. Jennifer Edlund (The Swedish P

    Hey I love your food blog! Please check out mine and let’s connect?

    swedishcavegirl.blogspot.com

    Reply

  11. Lori

    TY for the recipe, it sounds really good. but I think it may need a little salt, 1/2 tsp or so? I don’t think the mild cheeses are going to be salty enough for most. Just wanna throw that out there for the new cooks who go strictly by the recipe. Salt is always to taste, so taste your cheese sauce before adding it to the pasta and if it tastes bland, it may need a pinch (or 2) of salt 🙂

    Reply

    • Stephanie Manley

      Lori, I would normally agree with you. If you salt the pasta water properly I think it comes out well seasoned. I thought in developing the recipe the cheese that I used was a bit naturally salty and offered its own salt. Therefore I didn’t use it. The butter in the recipe was also salted. Believe me, I am normally a salt fiend!

      Reply

      • Ken Easterling

        Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (12)
        This is a great recipe. I would only add that Seniors are always watching their salt. I’m 70 and this recipe works well with our salt limitation.

      • Stephanie

        Thanks for letting me know.

Leave a Reply

Stouffers Macaroni and Cheese - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to improve Stouffer's mac and cheese? ›

Family sized frozen macaroni and cheese, 1- small pint of heavy cream, 1- 8oz medium cheddar, 1 - 8oz sharp cheddar. Thaw macaroni, pour heavy cream and mix in, shred cheeses and mix in. Save some cheese for the top.

How to make stouffers? ›

Simple easy recipe I did myself is just one box of large elbow mac heavily salted, 2 squeeze packs of Velveeta, 4 slices of Wisconsin white cheddar, 1 6 oz bag of shredded Parmesan, 1 8 oz bag of shredded sharp cheddar, half a stick of butter, and some milk to consistency and it is the best ever!

What are the ingredients in Stouffer's mac cheese? ›

BLANCHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WATER, SEMOLINA, DRIED EGG WHITES), SKIM MILK, WATER, CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO COLOR), CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO COLOR), SOYBEAN OIL, 2% OR LESS OF BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, SEA SALT, ...

How to cook stouffer mac and cheese? ›

COMBI OVEN 350°F Full Fan Preheated: Do not loosen lid. Place the tray on a baking sheet. Stir halfway through cooking; replace lid. Cook Frozen (0°F) product 35-40 min./Thawed (40°F or less) product 20-25 min.

What can I add to frozen mac and cheese to make it better? ›

Other frozen mac and cheese upgrades

Adding precooked meat such as ham, rotisserie chicken, bacon, or even sliced pepperoni can be an excellent way to not only improve the flavor of a boxed mac and cheese meal but also to make the dish more filling.

What makes Stouffer's mac and cheese so good? ›

I think what makes a Stouffer's mac and cheese special from a regular stovetop or baked mac and cheese is that it exists somewhere between the two. It's creamy, but it's also a little set with those baked edges, which you can take as far as you like. You get the best of both worlds, I think.

Which cheese is best for mac and cheese? ›

Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Is Stouffer's fully cooked? ›

Is the STOUFFER'S lasagna precooked? STOUFFER'S lasagna is not ready to eat and requires cooking before eating. Follow the cooking instructions on the package or on our website.

What cheese is in Stouffer's mac and cheese? ›

Stouffer's Traditional Macaroni and Cheese features tender, freshly made elbow macaroni made from durum semolina wheat blended with creamy sharp Cheddar cheese and a hint of sea salt.

Can you eat 4 day old mac and cheese? ›

Store leftover mac and cheese in a sealed air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days for best quality.

Should I thaw frozen mac and cheese before cooking? ›

The USDA recommends thawing in the fridge for food safety. An alternative is to defrost in the microwave if the dish fits and can be placed in the microwave. Once your dish of macaroni and cheese is fully defrosted, follow the baking instructions.

Is Stouffer's mac and cheese better in the oven or microwave? ›

Stouffer's Macaroni & Cheese

The noodle texture mirrored the microwave version, but the sauce really tightened up. This makes sense, since the film is removed in the conventional oven.

How do you elevate store bought mac and cheese? ›

Take boxed mac and cheese to the next level by experimenting with different combination of add-ins. Adding cold butter to the sauce and baking the mac in the oven helps with both texture and flavor. Incorporating things like real cheese, bacon, or leftover veggies can turn boxed mac and cheese into a full meal.

How do you make microwavable mac and cheese taste better? ›

For a creamier sauce, add an extra tablespoon or two of milk and cheese. Eat immediately. This mac and cheese is best when piping hot from the microwave. If you need to reheat it, add an extra splash of milk.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

Last Updated:

Views: 5993

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

Birthday: 1993-08-23

Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

Phone: +9958996486049

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.