Cheetos Mac and Cheese

Rich and creamy macaroni and cheese with Cheetos as breadcrumbs this Cheetos mac and cheese is so delish! Cheetos and macaroni is the perfect combination of two favorites. 

Cheetos Mac and Cheese

Everyone loves Cheetos! Cheesy and crispy they make the perfect breadcrumb and add a cheesy crunch to this macaroni and cheese. I am a bit of Mac and cheese snob, find my loaded southern Mac and cheese recipe here.

Other popular recipes to try:

• Loaded Potato Slices
• Snickers Banana Boats

Can I use Flaming Hot Cheetos instead of Original?

For this recipe I used Original Cheetos, but you could easily substitute Flaming Hot Cheetos for a little extra kick. 

How to crush the Cheetos?

I used a Zip Loc bag and a rolling pin to crush them. You could also use a food processor. 

Homemade Cheetos Mac ‘n Cheese

Recently the Cheetos brand released a boxed version of the recipe that will be available at retailers soon. That’s how you know this homemade Cheetos Mac n’ Cheese extra yummy!

Mac and Cheetos Ingredients

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Cooked Elbow Macaroni 
• Butter
• All Purpose Flour
• Whole Milk
• Cheetos 
• Salt
• Pepper

How to make macaroni with Cheetos

Begin by cooking your macaroni in boiling water and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

After your noodles are cooked, place butter in large skillet. 

Next add the flour to the butter and continue to stir over medium heat until the mixture is lightly browned.

Then add in the milk and whisk together well.

Season with salt and pepper while continuing to cook over medium heat until the sauce starts to bubble and begins to thicken.

Slowly add in the cheese while continuing to stir (note: save a little cheese to sprinkle on top later) and add in the last 2 tablespoons of butter and whisk well until smooth and completely melted.

Once the cheese has melted add in the noodles and mix together well. 

Pour macaroni and cheese into a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

While it’s baking crush the Cheetos. 

After it’s finished baking remove from oven and cover with crushed Cheetos.

Place back in oven to bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Cheetos Macaroni and Cheese

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

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What You Need

• 16 ounces Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1 1/2 cups Cooked Elbow Macaroni
• 5 tbsp Butter
• 3 tbsp All Purpose Flour
• 2 cups Whole Milk
• Cheetos
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper

Directions

1. Begin by cooking your macaroni in boiling water. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. After your noodles are cooked set aside, and place butter in large skillet.

3. Next add the flour to the butter and continue to stir over medium heat until the mixture is lightly browned.

4. Then add in the milk and whisk together well.

5. Season with salt and pepper while continuing to cook over medium heat until the sauce starts to bubble and begins to thicken.

6. Slowly add in the cheese while continuing to stir (note: save a little cheese to sprinkle on top later) and add in the last 2 tablespoons of butter and whisk well until smooth and completely melted.

7. Once the cheese has melted add in the noodles and mix together well.

8. Pour macaroni and cheese into a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

9. While it's baking crush the Cheetos.

10. After it's finished baking remove from oven and cover with crushed Cheetos.

11. Place back in oven to bake for an additional 5 minutes.