Our kids always loved this cheesy pasta and would sample a spoonful right from the slow cooker when they walked by. Adding cocktail sausages, sliced Polish sausage or cubed ham makes it a hearty dinner. —Heidi Ferkovich, Park Falls, Wisconsin


Test Kitchen Tips
  • Sharp cheddar cheese has been aged longer than regular cheddar. As cheese ages, its flavor becomes more pronounced. Using aged cheese in a recipe can add complexity and rich flavor, even to humble favorites like mac ’n’ cheese.
  • To prevent pasta from sticking together when cooking, use a large pot and 3 qts. water for each 8 oz. pasta you plan to cook. Add 1 Tbsp. cooking oil to the water. (This also prevents boiling over.) Bring the water to a full rolling boil before stirring in the pasta. Stir several times to separate the pasta until the water returns to a boil.
  • Check out our cheesiest recipes.
  • Watch How to Make Cheddar Spirals