Can I make this ahead of time?

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!).

Can I use a different pasta?

Absolutely - any medium pasta will work. We also love rotini, shells, or cavatappi.

Is this similar to Burger King Mac and Cheetos?

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.

Crunchy Cheetos Mac and Cheese

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Recipe by Rose Atwater

Prep Time10
Cook Time20
Total Time30 minutes
Yield8 1x

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

Scale

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

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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.

Equipment

10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

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Strainer

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Food Processor

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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

Find it online: https://rosebakes.com/crunchy-cheetos-mac-and-cheese/