Creamy White Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Buttery Ritz Crunch
A quick stovetop white cheddar mac finished with a buttery Ritz topping for that baked-casserole crunch.
Prep: 8 · Cook: 15 · Total: 23 · Serves: 6 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (312 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
Campbell's Kitchen (website)
Built from Campbell's Creamy White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, with a quick Ritz crumb topping for extra crunch.
Story
Friday nights get a little wild at my house, and by wild I mean everybody is hungry at the exact same time. I started with the Campbell's version from [Campbell's](https://www.campbells.com/recipes/creamy-white-cheddar-mac-cheese/) because it is fast and my kids never argue about mac. My little upgrade is a buttery Ritz topping you toast right in the skillet, so you get that cozy baked-mac crunch without heating up the whole kitchen. If you have a picky one, just keep the spice out and let them go heavy on the crumbs.
By sam
Ingredients
- 8 oz medium shell pasta
- 1 can Campbell's Condensed White Cheddar Cheese Soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed (about 1 cup crumbs)
- 2 tbsp Land O'Lakes butter
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the shell pasta until just tender, then drain.
- While the pasta cooks, melt the Land O'Lakes butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the crushed Ritz and Parmesan, then stir until the crumbs turn golden and smell toasty, 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape the topping into a bowl.
- In the same skillet (no need to wipe it out), whisk in the Campbell's Condensed White Cheddar Cheese Soup and milk until smooth.
- Stir in the shredded white cheddar and cayenne (if using). Cook just until the cheese melts and the sauce looks creamy, about 1 minute.
- Add the drained pasta and toss until every shell is coated. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot and pile the buttery Ritz crunch on top right before eating.
Chef Tips
- Keep the crumbs separate until serving so they stay crunchy.
- If the sauce thickens while you set the table, splash in 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk and stir.
- For picky eaters, skip the cayenne and use mild white cheddar.
- Want it extra golden, toast the crumbs a minute longer, but keep stirring so they do not burn.
Cook's Notes
- **Make it creamy:** Whisk the soup and milk until totally smooth before adding cheese.
- **Crunch factor:** Toast the Ritz crumbs until golden, then move them to a bowl so they do not soften.
- **Kid dial:** Skip cayenne, use mild cheddar, and serve the crumbs on the side.