The Perfect Velveeta Shells And Cheese: Boiling Time Revealed

Velveeta Shells & Cheese is a popular comfort food that can be cooked on the stove or in the microwave. The stove-top method involves boiling the shells for 10-12 minutes or until tender, while the microwave method involves cooking the shells in a microwave-safe bowl with water for 3-5 minutes. Both methods result in a creamy and delicious dish that is perfect for a quick snack or a comforting meal.

Boiling water amount and temperature

The amount of water you need to boil to make Velveeta shells and cheese depends on the cooking method. If you are cooking the shells on a stovetop, you will need to fill a large pot with enough water to cover the shells. The amount of water is not specified, but it should be at a rolling boil before you add the shells.

If you are cooking the shells in a microwave, you will need to add water to the fill line inside the cup. Do not fill the water above the line, as this could cause the water to boil over. If you are cooking the shells in a bowl in the microwave, you will need to ensure the bowl is deep enough to prevent boil-over. One method to avoid boil-over is to cook the shells in an equal volume of water so that all the water gets absorbed. However, this requires cooking in one-minute increments and stirring to prevent clumping and burning.

The temperature of the boiling water is important to ensure the shells are cooked properly. The water should be at a rolling boil before adding the shells, and the shells should be cooked for the recommended time. For stovetop instructions, this is 10 to 12 minutes or until the desired tenderness is reached. For the microwave instructions, this is 3 to 3.5 minutes or until the pasta is tender.

Boiling time

The boiling time for Velveeta Shells and Cheese depends on the cooking method and the desired tenderness.

Stovetop Method

The stovetop instructions on the Kraft Velveeta Shells and Cheese box recommend boiling the shell macaroni for 10 to 12 minutes or until the desired tenderness is achieved, stirring occasionally. After boiling, drain the water without rinsing the pasta and return it to the pan.

Microwave Method

The microwave instructions on the box suggest a cooking time of 3 to 3.5 minutes for a single-serve cup. First, fill the cup with water up to the indicated fill line, stir, and microwave uncovered on high power. After microwaving, stir in the cheese sauce until well blended.

Alternative Microwave Methods

Some people have experimented with alternative microwave methods for cooking Velveeta Shells and Cheese. One method involves using a deep microwavable container and tap temperature water to prevent the macaroni from sticking together. This method may require adding 3 to 4 minutes to the cooking time to compensate for the water's lower initial temperature.

Another method involves cooking the noodles in an equal volume of water to avoid boil-over. This approach requires cooking in one-minute increments and stirring to prevent clumping and burning.

Boiling Water Method

Some people have also cooked Velveeta Shells and Cheese by adding boiling water to the cup. This method typically involves adding water, stirring, and letting the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

Baking Method

Velveeta Shells and Cheese can also be baked in the oven as a casserole. After preparing the shells and cheese, pour them into a casserole dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the cheese is hot and bubbly.

Microwave cooking time

When you're short on time or simply don't want to bother with stovetop cooking, the microwave comes to the rescue for preparing Velveeta shells and cheese. This convenient appliance offers a quick and easy way to get your cheesy pasta fix. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure perfect results every time:

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Tools

For this method, you'll need a microwave-safe bowl that's large enough to accommodate the pasta and cheese sauce with a little extra room for bubbling. A vented microwave lid is ideal to prevent messes, but you can also use plastic wrap with a small slit cut in it for steam release. Have oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves on hand, as the bowl will get hot.

Step 2: Prepare the Pasta

Start by adding the desired amount of dry pasta shells to your microwave-safe bowl. Take note of the water amount specified in the stovetop instructions on the box, as you'll need slightly less water for the microwave method. Typically, you'll use about 1/4 cup less water for every 2 cups of pasta. Pour the measured water into the bowl, ensuring the pasta is fully submerged.

Step 3: Microwave on High

Place the bowl in the microwave and heat it on high power. For a standard serving size of 2 cups of pasta, start with a cooking time of 7–9 minutes. The exact time will depend on your microwave's wattage and the amount of pasta you're preparing. Keep a close eye on it to ensure the water doesn't boil over. If it looks like it might, pause the microwave, carefully remove the bowl, and stir the pasta before continuing.

Step 4: Stir and Check Doneness

Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave, as it will be hot. Use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands. Stir the pasta gently, ensuring all the shells are coated with hot water. Let it sit for a minute or two, as the residual heat will continue to cook the pasta. Taste a shell to ensure it's tender. If it's not quite done, return the bowl to the microwave and cook in 30-second intervals until the shells are perfectly al dente.

Step 5: Add Cheese Sauce

When the pasta is cooked to your liking, it's time for the best part—adding the cheese! Follow the package directions to prepare the cheese sauce, typically involving stirring the cheese packet into the hot pasta until it's melted and fully incorporated. If your microwave has a low or medium setting, you can use it to gently heat and melt the cheese, stirring occasionally, until you achieve the perfect creamy consistency.

Tips for Success

• Always use a bowl that's larger than you think you need to prevent boil-overs.
• Keep a close eye on the pasta during the initial cooking period to ensure the water doesn't bubble over.
• Stir the pasta occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
• If the cheese sauce becomes too thick or clumpy, add a small amount of milk and stir to achieve your desired consistency.

With these simple steps, you can enjoy a comforting bowl of Velveeta shells and cheese in no time, straight from the microwave!

Stovetop cooking instructions

Velveeta Shells and Cheese is a product from Kraft Foods. It is similar to macaroni and cheese, but it includes small shell pasta instead of macaroni and creamy Velveeta cheese sauce instead of a powdered cheese mix. The stovetop cooking instructions are as follows:

First, fill a large pot with water and place it on a stove burner. Turn the burner to high heat and bring the water to a boil. While you are waiting for the water to boil, you can prepare the shell pasta by tearing open the package and removing any seasoning packets.

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the shell pasta into the pot. Stir the pasta with a spoon to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. Allow the pasta to boil for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired level of tenderness.

When the pasta is finished cooking, turn off the burner and carefully drain the water from the pot. Be careful, as the pot and water will be very hot. Return the drained pasta to the pot.

Next, cut off the top edge of the Velveeta Cheese Sauce Pouch. Squeeze the cheese sauce over the hot pasta and stir until the sauce and pasta are well blended.

Your Velveeta Shells and Cheese are now ready to serve! This recipe typically makes about three servings. Enjoy!

Make-ahead instructions

Velveeta Shells & Cheese can be made ahead of time, but it tends to dry out the longer it sits because all of the cheese sauce gets absorbed into the pasta. If you need to prepare this dish ahead of time, follow these steps:

First, prepare the shells and cheese and place them in a casserole dish without the topping. Cover the dish and refrigerate it overnight. When you're ready to bake, take the dish out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before baking and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Before baking, drizzle 1/2 cup of milk or heavy cream over the pasta. Then, bake the covered dish with foil for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F. After 20 minutes, stir the pasta to ensure it's "saucy" enough. If it seems dry, add a bit more milk or cream.

Finally, remove the dish from the oven and add the Ritz Cracker topping. Place the dish back in the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

If you're making a larger batch and want to enjoy leftovers, this recipe reheats well in the microwave. You can also make a bigger batch and enjoy the leftovers within a few weeks. Simply wrap the leftovers in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator.

Frequently asked questions