Treasured Craft Kitchen

This homemade mac n cheese dry mix replaces boxed mac and cheese. It’s a shelf stable cheese sauce powder made from cheddar cheese powder, nutritional yeast, and pantry spices. There are no shelf stabilizers, and you know every ingredient.

The mix isn’t tied to one noodle. Use macaroni, protein pasta, veggie noodles, or whatever is in your pantry. One batch makes about 12 servings and takes 5 minutes.

Why Make Homemade Mac N Cheese Dry Mix Instead of Buying Boxed?

The cheese powder is the only convenient part of boxed mac and cheese, and the box locks you into one noodle. This mix keeps the convenience and drops the rest.

• Ingredients you trust: You pick every ingredient. There are no shelf stabilizers or fillers.
• Any noodle: Use protein noodles, veggie noodles, gluten-free pasta, or whatever you have.
• More convenient: Keep one jar in the pantry. Boil any pasta and stir in the mix.
• Shelf stable: Store it dry and use it whenever you need it.

Ingredients

For a full list of ingredients, be sure to reference the recipe card below!

• Cheddar Cheese Powder: This is the cheese base and gives the sauce its color and flavor.
• Nutritional Yeast: It adds a savory, cheesy depth and rounds out the cheddar.
• Dry Milk Powder and Butter Powder: These make the sauce creamy and rich once water or milk is added.
• Cornstarch: It thickens the sauce so it clings to the noodles.
• Mustard, Onion, and Garlic Powder, Paprika, and Salt: These give the sharp, tangy flavor you expect from boxed mac and cheese.

Cheese Powder

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Milk Powder

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Butter Powder

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Nutritional Yeast

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Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no additional cost to you.

What is Nutritional Yeast?

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast. It’s grown, dried, and heated so it can’t make anything rise or ferment. What’s left is a yellow flake with a savory, nutty, cheese-like flavor.

It also adds some nutrition. Nutritional yeast contains protein and fiber, and most brands are fortified with B vitamins, including B12. B vitamins help your body turn food into energy. Check the label to see if your brand is fortified.

Here, it makes the sauce taste more like cheese. I buy it in bulk here because I use it in so many recipes.

How to Make Homemade Mac and Cheese Mix

1. Combine All Ingredients: Add everything to a bowl and whisk until evenly mixed.
2. Store: Funnel into a jar, seal, shake, and label. Keep in a cool, dark pantry. Always scoop with a dry spoon.
3. To Use: Cook 8 oz of pasta and drain. Stir in 3 tbsp of mix, then add up to 3 tbsp water or milk, one tbsp at a time, until creamy.

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Recipe Suggestions

Want another shelf stable pasta side? Try our viral Shelf Stable Broccoli Alfredo (700k+ views). It’s a dry mix with dehydrated broccoli, egg noodles, and powdered Alfredo seasoning. You can also use our Homemade Chicken Bouillon to season just about anything!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any noodle with this mac and cheese mix?

Yes. Use macaroni, protein pasta, veggie noodles, gluten-free pasta, or any shape you have. Cook it as the package directs, then drain.

How long does homemade mac and cheese mix last?

Stored in a sealed jar in a cool, dark place, it keeps its best flavor for about 6 months. Keep it dry, because moisture causes clumping and spoilage.

Where do I find cheddar cheese powder and butter powder?

Both are sold online and in some grocery stores near the baking aisle or bulk foods. Check the label for ingredients you’re comfortable with. My full line up of bulk powders to make homemade dry mixes can be found in my Amazon store front here.

Homemade Mac N Cheese Dry Mix Recipe Card

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