Name: White Cheddar Shells Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb shell pasta; ½ cup butter; 6 Tablespoons flour; 4 ½ cups milk; 2 ½ cups white cheddar cheese ((shredded)); 1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese ((shredded)); 1 teaspoon ground mustard; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 pinch pepper

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If you’re looking for a kid approved dish that the whole family will love, these white cheddar shells and cheese were made just for you. Making a homemade cheese sauce doesn’t have to be complicated, and we’ll show you just how easy it can be in this recipe!

A bowl of creamy pasta shells topped with two large shavings of cheese and a sprinkle of black pepper, served in a white bowl on a wooden surface.

A bowl of shell pasta in creamy white sauce, topped with black pepper and cheese shavings, sits on a wooden table with two similar bowls in the background.

Recipe Ingredient Notes

To make white cheddar shells, you will need the following ingredients:

Shell pasta
Butter
Flour
Milk
White cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese
Ground mustard
Salt
Pepper

Equipment Needed

For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:

How to Make Our White Cheddar Shells

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a saucepan, heat ½ cup butter until melted.
Slowly whisk in flour until blended, and then slowly add in the milk. Bring mixture to a boil and continue stirring until it starts to thicken. Add in cheese, mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Add macaroni to the sauce and stir until completely combined.
Serve topped with extra parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of pepper.

Three bowls of shell pasta in a creamy white sauce, topped with black pepper and cheese, on a wooden table.

Three bowls of creamy pasta shells topped with shaved cheese and black pepper sit on a wooden surface.

Enjoy More Delicious Pasta Recipes

We’ve rounded up some of our best pasta recipes, including creamy tomato rigatoni, puttanesca, macaroni and cheese, and more. Check out our comprehensive collection of pasta recipes here.

A bowl of creamy pasta topped with shaved cheese and black pepper, with a fork and spoon nearby on a wooden surface.

White Cheddar Shells Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Indulge in our creamy white cheddar shells, a simple, cheesy stovetop pasta meal that the whole family loves.

8 people

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

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Ingredients

Equipment

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a saucepan, heat ½ cup butter until melted.
Slowly whisk in flour until blended, and then slowly add in the milk. Bring mixture to a boil and continue stirring until it starts to thicken. Add in cheese, mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Add macaroni to the sauce and stir until completely combined.
Serve topped with extra parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of pepper.

Notes

Feel free to add peas, chopped broccoli, or spinach to this recipe to add some fresh vegetables.

Nutrition

Calories: 633 kcal · Carbohydrates: 54 g · Protein: 28 g · Fat: 34 g · Saturated Fat: 21 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 94 mg · Sodium: 974 mg · Potassium: 371 mg · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 9 g · Vitamin A: 1077 IU · Vitamin C: 1 mg · Calcium: 649 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Cuisine: Italian

Cost: $10

Author: Steph Loaiza

Course: Main Course

Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.

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Questions & Reviews

Eva @ L.E.E bakers says:

Look at that cheese! A perfect comfort food!
Jacqueline Goodman says:

Would removing the mustard from this recipe change it dramatically?
Cyd says:

You can totally leave out the ground mustard if you want. It just adds a little flavor.
Kathleen Durrant says:

Love this! But why does it say butter is divided???
Cyd Adamson says:

Thanks for catching that!