Campbell’s Creamy Double Cheddar Mac & Cheese with Crispy Fried Onion Topping
This creamy double cheddar mac and cheese is the ultimate holiday side dish! Made with Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup, shredded white cheddar, and cavatappi pasta, it’s unbelievably creamy, cheesy, and delicious without all the work of making a homemade cheese sauce. And just when you think it can’t get any better, we top it with buttery, crispy French fried onions and bake it until it’s hot, bubbly, and golden brown. It’s a holiday showstopper that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but it’s actually incredibly easy to make!
The Holiday Mac & Cheese Everyone Asked Me to Make Again!
Last year, I made this mac and cheese for the holidays, and let me tell you something. Everybody went absolutely crazy over it! They literally told me, “You’re making THAT again next year!” Well, guess what? It’s next year, and I’m making it again!
I’m partnering with Campbell’s to bring you one of the creamiest, cheesiest, most delicious holiday side dishes you’ll ever make. And the best part? You don’t have to stand over the stove making a homemade cheese sauce, whisking flour and butter, or worrying about whether your sauce is going to turn out perfectly.
The secret is Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup! It gives this mac and cheese that rich, creamy, comforting cheddar cheese flavor everybody loves, and it makes the whole recipe so much easier.
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And because you know I can’t leave well enough alone, I added my own little touch! The original recipe uses a buttery panko breadcrumb topping, which is equally delicious, but I decided to switch things up and use crispy French fried onions instead. I thought they would be absolutely perfect for the holidays, and boy, was I right!
I toss those crispy fried onions with melted butter, sprinkle them over the top, and bake everything until it’s golden and bubbly. OH. MY. GOODNESS. That golden, buttery, crispy topping with all that creamy mac and cheese underneath? Absolutely incredible. This is the kind of recipe you put on your Thanksgiving or Christmas table, and everybody wants to know who made it. And when they ask you to make it again next year, you’ll know exactly why!
Why You’ll Love This Double Cheddar Mac & Cheese
- Campbell’s makes it easy! Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup creates a creamy, cheesy base without the extra steps of making a sauce from scratch.
- Double the cheddar goodness. Campbell’s cheddar cheese soup and shredded white cheddar come together for an incredibly rich, cheesy flavor.
- Perfect for the holidays. This mac and cheese looks beautiful on a holiday table alongside turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and all your favorite sides.
- That crispy onion topping! Buttery, golden, crispy French fried onions add the most delicious crunch.
- Two delicious topping options. Use my French fried onion topping or the original buttery panko breadcrumb topping. Both are delicious!
- Simple ingredients. You only need seven ingredients to make this showstopping side dish.
- Ready in no time. Once your pasta is cooked, everything comes together quickly, and the oven does the finishing work.
The Secret Ingredient: Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
Now, let’s talk about the real star of this recipe. Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup! If you’ve ever made homemade baked mac and cheese, you know that getting the sauce just right can sometimes be the hardest part. You want it creamy. You want it cheesy. You don’t want it dry. And you definitely don’t want to spend your entire holiday standing over the stove. That’s why I love using Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup in this recipe. It creates a deliciously smooth, creamy cheddar cheese base that coats every single piece of pasta. Then, when you stir in the shredded white cheddar and milk, you get that rich, cheesy, comforting flavor that makes baked mac and cheese so irresistible. And the beauty of it is how simple it is! No complicated cheese sauce. No extra steps. Just creamy, delicious mac and cheese that tastes like a holiday masterpiece. For holiday mac and cheese success, there’s only Campbell’s!
Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup: This is the hero ingredient! It creates the creamy, cheesy base that makes this mac and cheese so easy and delicious.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook your cavatappi pasta according to the package directions.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and return it to the saucepan.
Now comes the good part! Add both cans of Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup directly into the saucepan with the cooked pasta.
Next, add shredded white cheddar cheese, the milk, and the cayenne pepper. Stir everything together until the pasta is coated in that creamy, cheesy mixture.
In a bowl, gently toss the crispy French fried onions with the melted butter.
Spoon your creamy mac and cheese mixture into a baking dish.
Sprinkle those buttery onions all over the top of your mac and cheese. Then sprinkle the remaining white cheddar cheese over the top.
More Delicious Recipes to Serve at Your Holiday Table!
Melissa’s Tips!
- Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup is the secret to the creamy cheese sauce without all the work.
- Freshly shredded white cheddar generally melts more smoothly.
- Cavatappi pasta holds the cheese sauce beautifully.
- French fried onions give this recipe an extra-special holiday twist.
- Panko breadcrumbs are an equally delicious alternative.
- Serve immediately for the creamiest texture and crispiest topping.
🤔 Common Questions
Yes! For the best results, prepare the pasta and cheese mixture, transfer it to your baking dish, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. I recommend adding the crispy topping right before baking so it stays crunchy.
Absolutely! While I love cavatappi because it holds the cheese sauce beautifully, you can use elbow macaroni, shells, or another short pasta shape.
Absolutely! In fact, the original version of this recipe uses a buttery panko breadcrumb topping, and it’s equally delicious!
Campbell’s Creamy Double Cheddar Mac & Cheese with Crispy Fried Onion Topping
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Cook the cavatappi pasta according to package directions. Drain and return the pasta to the saucepan.
- Add both cans of Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup, 3 cups of shredded white cheddar cheese, milk, and cayenne pepper. Stir until the pasta is coated in the creamy cheese mixture.
- Spoon the mac and cheese mixture into a 3-quart baking dish.
- In a small bowl, gently toss the crispy French fried onions with the melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup shredded white cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is hot and bubbling and the topping is golden and crispy.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
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Nutrition
Notes
Optional Panko Breadcrumb Topping
For the original-style buttery panko topping, substitute panko breadcrumbs for the French fried onions. Toss the panko with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter, sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.Tried this recipe?
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Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating place leftovers in an oven-safe dish, add a small splash of milk if needed, cover with foil, and reheat at 350°F until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. Keep in mind that the crispy topping will soften during storage.
