Name: Freezer Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup cornstarch; ¼ cup butter; 2 cups chicken broth; Salt and pepper to taste; 8 oz dried macaroni pasta; 2 cups heavy whipping cream; 1 cup colby cheese (shredded); 1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)

Calling all cheese lovers! This freezer mac and cheese is perfect for the busy family who wants an easy, homemade meal. Kids (and adults) will LOVE it!

A white bowl full of macaroni and cheese on top of a wooden board with two other white bowls in the background.

We are HUGE cheese lovers at my house.

Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella – you name it, we eat it! And when you add pasta to it? It’s TRUE LOVE!!

So it’s no surprise that my kids ask for it all. the. time. But being a busy mom with busy kids that can’t always happen.

I tried shortcuts like the boxed version and let me tell you, it just didn’t cut it! There were so many crazy preservatives in it and the taste didn’t even come close to a homemade baked mac and cheese.

I knew then that I needed to get to work to create a make ahead freezer mac and cheese that my kids would love.

That’s when my kid friendly mac and cheese recipe was born! I found a way to get this ultra creamy, massively cheesy pasta into a freezer meal that everyone one will love!

A white dish full of macaroni and cheese with a wooden spoon in it on top of a blue napkin.

Now it didn’t come easily. I found that there were a lot of problems with mac and cheese that I was going to have to overcome. First, I didn’t want the sauce to separate. I also didn’t want it to be grainy or super dry. My kids would hate that and I am sure yours would, too.

So I kept working until I developed the creamiest, cheesiest freezer mac and cheese known to man.

And, oh man, was it worth it!

The combination of cheeses melted into a rich and creamy sauce layered in between beautiful pasta noodles. I mean, fuggetaboutit. So good.

A white bowl full of macaroni and cheese on top of a wooden board with a hand holding a spoon with mac and cheese above the bowl with one other white bowls in the background.

The best part is that this easy kid friendly mac and cheese is fool-proof and only has a handful of ingredients. A perfect homemade dinner, full of yummy melting cheese, that can easily be made ahead for an quick weeknight meal.

Now whenever my kids are craving it, I can pull out a pan of my freezer mac and cheese and it is ready in minutes!

During the summer I also love to make it and freeze it in individual ramekins. Then on busy days, I pull it out to thaw and my kids can heat it up for a quick no-mess lunch. I know, totally WINNING, right?

Two white bowls full of macaroni and cheese - one bowl has a fork in it with a hand holding it - on top of a blue napkin with a fork on the side with two other white dishes with cheese in one and a big dish of mac and cheese in the back.

WHAT ARE THE BEST CHEESES FOR MAC AND CHEESE?

Cheese is so individual and I get that. Every family has their favorite kinds.

For this homemade baked mac and cheese recipe I tried tons of different cheeses. But the creamiest, silkiest and best flavored mac and cheese version was by far the combo of Colby jack and sharp cheddar.

A oval dish covered in foil with the words "Mac & Cheese" written on it.

HOW LONG CAN FREEZER MAC AND CHEESE STAY IN THE FREEZER?

You can freeze this make ahead freezer mac and cheese for up to 2 months…if it lasts that long! Make sure you press down on the plastic wrap to remove all the air and then keep it covered in aluminum foil.

I hope you all give my freezer mac and cheese a try. I am sure you will love it as much as we do!

Recipe Card

4.80 from 5 votes

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Freezer Mac and Cheese

Published By Karrie

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword Easy, Freezer Meal, homemade, Kid-Friendly

Servings

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1

This freezer mac and cheese is perfect for the busy family who wants an easy, homemade meal. Kids (and adults) will LOVE it!

Ingredients

White Sauce Base

Instructions

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Sprinkle cornstarch overtop and cook, whisking constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes, until foamy and simmering (do not let it brown).
Add chicken broth; cook, whisking constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes, until sauce thickens and starts to simmer. Remove from heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Pasta: In a large bowl, combine white sauce and cream. Add Colby, and Sharp Cheddar cheeses; stir until melted and smooth. Set aside.
Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook macaroni for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to get soft (the pasta should be starting to get tender but have a firm bite). Drain and rinse with cold water to cool quickly. Set aside.

MAKE IT NOW

Preheat oven to 375°F. Return macaroni to stockpot, add cheese sauce and gently mix together. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a 9- by 9-inch baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until golden on top and bubbly on the inside. Let cool for 10 minutes, then serve.

MAKE IT A FREEZER MEAL

Let cheese sauce cool to room temperature. Return cooled macaroni to stockpot, add sauce and gently mix together. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a 9-by-9 -inch baking dish. Wrap baking dish tightly with plastic wrap, pressing down gently to remove air. Cover with foil. Label and place in freezer.

THAW AND COOK

Place baking dish in refrigerator for around 24 hours to thaw. Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove foil and plastic wrap. Bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until golden on top and bubbly on the inside. Let cool for 10 minutes, then serve.

Notes

If you’d like to bake this from frozen (and not thaw) you can! Simply preheat your oven to 375°F. Remove plastic wrap and foil from pan, then recover with the foil. I like to place on a baking pan. Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until bubbly all over and lightly golden (about 15-20 minutes longer).

Nutrition

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About Karrie

Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...

Freezer Mac and Cheese Kids Will Love

WHAT ARE THE BEST CHEESES FOR MAC AND CHEESE?

HOW LONG CAN FREEZER MAC AND CHEESE STAY IN THE FREEZER?