Quick, Cheesy Comfort: Microwave Velveeta Shells In Minutes

If you're looking for a quick and easy meal, Velveeta Shells and Cheese is a great option. It's a convenient grab-and-go snack or side dish, and can be prepared in the microwave in just a few minutes. The process is simple: you add water to the fill line in the cup, microwave for around 3 to 5 minutes, and then stir in the cheese sauce. However, it's important to note that all microwaves are different, so you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to get the desired result.

Cooking time for two cups

If you're preparing two cups of Velveeta Shells & Cheese, the cooking time will vary depending on the method you choose. Here's a detailed guide on how to prepare this delicious comfort food:

Stovetop Method:

If you prefer to cook your Velveeta Shells & Cheese on the stovetop, here's what you need to do:

• Preparation: Start by pouring the shell pasta from one family-sized package into a large microwave-safe bowl.
• Cooking the Pasta: Cover the pasta with 12 cups of water and place the uncovered bowl in the microwave. Cook on high power for about 5 minutes. Check the pasta after this initial cooking time. If the pasta is not yet soft and tender, return it to the microwave and cook in additional 30-second intervals until it reaches the desired texture.
• Draining and Mixing: Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, carefully drain the pasta in a colander. Return the drained pasta to the bowl and stir in the creamy Velveeta cheese mix. Make sure to mix well so that all the pasta shells are coated in that cheesy goodness.
• Serving: Serve your Velveeta Shells & Cheese hot! This method is great if you're cooking for a larger group or prefer the traditional stovetop preparation.

Microwave Method for Single-Serve Cups:

If you're short on time or cooking just for yourself, the single-serve microwave cups are a convenient option. Here's how to prepare them:

• Preparation: Grab two single-serve cups of Velveeta Shells & Cheese. Peel the lids of the cups halfway back without detaching them, as you'll need to recover the cups for cooking.
• Filling and Cooking: Fill each cup with water up to the fill line indicated inside. Fold the lids back over the cups and place one cup in the microwave. Heat it on high power for 3 minutes.
• Stirring and Serving: After heating, carefully remove the cup from the microwave and give the contents a good stir, making sure to mix in the cheese sauce evenly. Repeat the same process with the second cup. Serve both cups hot and enjoy the cheesy goodness!

Tips and Tricks:

• Be cautious when removing the cups from the microwave, as they will be hot and may cause steam burns.
• If you're cooking the family-sized package in the microwave, use a deep bowl to prevent boil-over. The starchy pasta shells tend to boil over in a shallow bowl.
• When cooking the pasta in the microwave, it's best to use tap-temperature water to prevent the macaroni from sticking together.
• To avoid boil-over, some people prefer cooking the noodles in an equal volume of water, but this requires cooking in one-minute increments and frequent stirring to prevent clumping and burning.
• If you're cooking two cups at once, you can start with the recommended time for one cup (3.5 minutes) and then add additional time as needed.

Microwaving the cheese sauce

The cheese sauce is the key to making your Velveeta shells and cheese delicious. It is important to follow the instructions carefully to ensure the sauce is smooth and creamy. Here is a step-by-step guide to microwaving the cheese sauce:

Step 1: Prepare the cheese sauce packet

Open the Velveeta shells and cheese package and locate the cheese sauce packet. If you are using a single-serve cup, peel back the lid halfway, being careful not to detach it. For a family-sized package, simply open the cheese sauce pouch.

Step 2: Add water

If you are using a single-serve cup, fill it with water up to the fill line indicated inside the cup. If you are using a family-sized package, pour the shell pasta into a large microwave-safe bowl and cover it with 12 cups of water.

Step 3: Microwave the shells

Place the covered bowl or cup in the microwave. For a single-serve cup, microwave on high power for 3 to 3.5 minutes. For a family-sized package, microwave on high power for 5 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your microwave, so it is important to keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Step 4: Check the shells

After microwaving, carefully remove the bowl or cup from the microwave, as it will be hot. For a family-sized package, check if the pasta is soft and tender. If not, return it to the microwave and cook in additional 1-minute intervals until it reaches the desired tenderness.

Step 5: Drain the pasta

If you are using a family-sized package, drain the pasta in a large colander. This step is not necessary for single-serve cups.

Step 6: Add the cheese sauce

For a single-serve cup, stir the cheese sauce into the cup without draining the pasta. If you are using a family-sized package, return the drained pasta to the bowl and mix in the cheese sauce packet. Stir well until the cheese sauce is fully incorporated and has a smooth consistency.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy

Your Velveeta shells and cheese is now ready to be served! Enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness as a snack or a side dish. Remember to handle the bowl or cup with care as it will be hot.

Single-serve cups

Preparing single-serve cups of Velveeta Shells and Cheese is a breeze. Each box contains four 2.39-ounce cups. To start, simply remove the lid and sauce pouch from one cup. Then, fill the cup with water up to the fill line indicated inside. Place the cup in the microwave and heat it uncovered for three and a half minutes. After that, stir in the liquid gold cheese sauce, and your cheesy delight is ready to be savoured!

It is important to note that the cooking instructions are based on a 1000-watt microwave oven. If yours has a different wattage, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Additionally, all microwaves cook differently, so keep an eye on your cup during the final moments of cooking to avoid overcooking or undercooking.

If you're cooking two cups at the same time, it's best to start with the recommended cooking time of three and a half minutes and then add more time as needed. This way, you can avoid the risk of overcooking or, worse, blowing up the microwave!

The single-serve cups of Velveeta Shells and Cheese are not just convenient and quick to prepare, but they also offer a satisfying snack or light meal. The creamy sauce and tender pasta shells make for an indulgent treat that can be customised with added veggies, meat, or seasonings to amp up the flavour.

Preventing boil-over

Preparing Velveeta shells and cheese is a simple process, but it requires careful attention to avoid a boil-over. Here are some detailed instructions to prevent boil-over when making this delicious comfort food:

Choose the Right Container:

Select a large, deep, microwave-safe bowl. The container should be large enough to accommodate the shells and cheese, as well as the water required for cooking. Using a shallow bowl can lead to boil-over due to the starch released by the pasta.

Use the Right Amount of Water:

For the family-sized package, use 12 cups of water for cooking the shells. This amount of water ensures that the pasta has enough room to move around and cook evenly without boiling over. If you're cooking a single-serve cup, fill it with water up to the fill line indicated on the cup.

Follow Microwave Instructions Carefully:

Place the uncovered bowl in the microwave and cook on high power. For the family-sized package, cook for about five minutes, checking the pasta's texture after this duration. For single-serve cups, follow the instructions on the package, which typically recommend heating for about three and a half minutes.

Stir and Add Cooking Time as Needed:

After the initial cooking duration, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave, as it will be hot and may cause steam burns. Stir the contents to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking. If the pasta is not yet tender, return it to the microwave in short increments of one minute or less, stirring after each interval.

Drain and Add Cheese:

Once the pasta is tender, drain the water using a colander. Return the drained pasta to the bowl, and stir in the Velveeta cheese mix. The cheese will melt and coat the shells, creating a creamy and delicious dish.

Preventing Boil-Over Tips:

• Always use a microwave-safe container to avoid any damage or accidents.
• Be cautious of the steam when removing the container from the microwave to avoid burns.
• Avoid using a shallow bowl, as the starchy water released by the pasta is more likely to boil over.
• If you're cooking a large quantity, consider cooking in smaller batches to prevent boil-over.
• Avoid overcooking by checking the pasta's texture regularly and removing it from the microwave as soon as it's tender.

By following these instructions and being mindful of potential boil-over, you can enjoy your Velveeta shells and cheese without any messy accidents!

Stove-top alternative

If you don't have access to a microwave, you can easily make Velveeta shells and cheese on a stovetop. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients:

• Velveeta shells and cheese (family-sized package or single-serve cups)
• Water
• Salt (optional)
• Butter (optional)
• Milk (optional)
• Spices (optional)
• Cheese (optional)

Instructions:

• If you're using a family-sized package, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. You can also add a bit of butter and milk for extra flavour.
• Pour the shell pasta from the package into the pot.
• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Keep in mind that the pasta should be cooked al dente, or firm.
• Drain the pasta in a colander.
• Return the drained pasta to the pot and stir in the cheese mix. You can also add some shredded cheddar or other types of cheese for extra flavour.
• Serve the Velveeta shells and cheese hot.

If you're using single-serve cups, the process is similar:

• Unwrap the cups and fill each one with water to the fill line.
• Place the cups on a stovetop and heat them up. You can use a small pot or a pan for this.
• Take the cups off the heat and stir in the cheese sauce.
• Serve hot.

Tips:

• Be careful when handling hot containers and stoves to avoid burns.
• You can experiment with different types of cheese, spices, and vegetables to create your own unique version of Velveeta shells and cheese.
• If you want to bake your Velveeta shells and cheese, simply transfer the mixture to a casserole dish, add a topping of your choice (such as breadcrumbs and cheese), and bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes.

Frequently asked questions