Crunchy Cheetos Mac and Cheese
This fun, homemade Cheetos Mac and Cheese recipe is bursting with flavor! Macaroni noodles are smothered in a homemade creamy, cheesy sauce with a hint of garlic, topped with yet more cheese and a crushed Cheeto topping, and broiled until golden. Serve this at your next summer or get-together, potluck, or holidays as the perfect side or stand-alone dish.
Cheetos Mac and Cheese
Mac and Cheese is one of the most popular dishes in my house. Two of my five sons make it their mission to come up with new and better recipes for homemade macaroni and cheese on a regular basis.
But we’re not snobs about mac and cheese either. We’ll just as quickly make a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese as we will spend an hour making homemade cheese sauce to pour over fresh-cooked noodles.
Anywho… another thing we love at my house is Cheetos and Chester Cheetah! So much so that I try not to buy them because I could easily go through a whole bag in one sitting.
That is why this new recipe is so addictive for us. It’s got that creamy + crunchy combo of mac ‘n cheese + Cheetos that is irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super creamy, from-scratch cheese sauce
- Crunchy, toasted Cheetos topping
- Ready in under an hour
- Perfect for summer cookouts or fall comfort food
- You can spice it up by using Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for Hot Cheetos Mac and Cheese!
Tools
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large skillet or saucepan
- Whisk
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Small bowl
- Food processor (optional, for crushing Cheetos)
Ingredients
Most everything you need for this recipe is a pantry staple – even the Cheetos in my house!
For the Mac and Cheese
- Macaroni pasta
- Water (for boiling)
- Butter
- Garlic, minced
- All-purpose flour
- Milk
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Ground mustard
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
For the Topping
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Crushed Crunchy Cheetos
- Melted butter
Find the complete recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Cheetos Mac and Cheese
This delicious side dish is ready to eat in under 30 minutes!
- Preheat your oven to 525°F on the BROIL setting.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente according to package directions.
- While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Sprinkle in the flour and whisk until smooth to create a roux.
- Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly until the sauce is smooth. Let it gently bubble and thicken, then remove from heat.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar, salt, pepper, and ground mustard. Whisk until you have a smooth, creamy homemade cheese sauce.
- Drain the pasta and transfer it to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles and stir until evenly coated. Spread out evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top.
- In a small bowl, mix the crushed Cheetos with melted butter until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the Cheetos mixture over the mac and cheese.
- Broil for about 2 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy. Watch closely – it browns fast!
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Don’t skip the mustard – it enhances the cheese flavor without tasting like mustard.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest sauce (pre-shredded can be grainy).
- Watch the broiler closely – the topping can go from golden to burnt quickly!
- Want heat? 🔥 Swap in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for a Spicy Hot Cheeto Mac and Cheese version.
Variations
- Hot Cheetos Mac and Cheese: Use Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for a spicy kick.
- Loaded Mac n Cheetos: Stir in cooked bacon or diced jalapeños before adding the topping.
- Extra Cheesy: Mix in mozzarella or Monterey Jack with the cheddar. Or switch the cheese to another variety you like.
Storage Directions
- Store leftover Mac and Cheetos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
- For the best texture, add a splash of milk before reheating to keep it creamy.
FAQ
Yes, but it will require much longer in the oven. Make the recipe as written, leaving the topping off. When you’re ready to bake it, preheat your oven to 400°F and set the dish on the counter while it preheats. Cover the dish with foil and bake until it’s hot all the way through and bubbling around the edges, about 45-50 minutes. Then remove the foil, add the crushed Cheetos on top, and broil for 2-3 minutes or until the topping is brown and crispy (it happens fast, so keep an eye on it!).
Absolutely – any medium pasta will work. We also love rotini, shells, or cavatappi.
Eeeh – not really. It’s similar in flavor, but that’s about it. The Burger King version is made into breaded, deep-fried sticks that are crispy on the outside and handheld, like a snack. This recipe, on the other hand, is a creamy, baked mac and cheese with a crunchy Cheetos topping. So while they both have that cheesy Cheetos flavor, this one is more of a comforting side dish than a fried appetizer.
This Cheetos Mac ‘n Cheese is everything comfort food should be – creamy, crunchy, cheesy, and just plain fun. Whether you’re making it for a party or a weeknight dinner, it’s guaranteed to get rave reviews.
Crunchy Cheetos Mac and Cheese
Description
This fun, homemade Cheetos Mac and Cheese recipe is bursting with flavor! Macaroni noodles are smothered in a homemade creamy, cheesy sauce with a hint of garlic, topped with yet more cheese and a crushed Cheeto topping, and broiled until golden. Serve this at your next summer or get-together, potluck, or holidays as the perfect side or stand-alone dish.
Ingredients
Mac & Cheese Ingredients
- 10 ounces macaroni pasta
- Pot of water for cooking pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Topping
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups crushed crunchy Cheetos (I like to pulse mine in the food processor)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 525 degrees Fahrenheit on the BROIL setting.
- Bring the pot of water to a boil on the stovetop, add the pasta, and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. Add the 3 tablespoons butter and garlic to a large skillet and cook on the stovetop over medium/high heat until the butter is melted and the garlic is slightly browned and aromatic.
- Add the flour to the skillet and whisk until smooth.
- Add the milk to the skillet and whisk briskly until the sauce is smooth and begins to boil gently. Continue whisking until the sauce is thickened, then shut the burner off.
- Add 2 cups shredded cheddar, salt, pepper, and ground mustard to the still-hot sauce and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- Drain the water from the pasta and dump the pasta into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the sauce over the pasta and stir until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Pour the melted butter over the crushed cheetos in a small bowl and mix with your hands until the cheetos are fully moistened by the butter.
- Sprinkle the cheeto mixture evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Place the mac and cheese under the preheated broiler for about 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the topping is browned and crispy.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- You can prepare this ahead of time, but it will need extra time in the oven. Make the recipe as written, leaving off the topping. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400°F and let the dish sit on the counter while it heats. Cover with foil and bake until hot and bubbly around the edges, about 45–50 minutes. Then remove the foil, add the crushed Cheetos, and broil for 2–3 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crispy (watch closely – it browns fast!).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 397
- Sugar: 5.2 g
- Sodium: 457.7 mg
- Fat: 22.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32.5 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 17.1 g
- Cholesterol: 61.9 mg
