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Home » Side Dishes » Stovetop Mac and Cheese

October 12, 2020 By Sara 104 Comments

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

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This stovetop mac and cheese is a one pot dish of tender macaroni simmered in an ultra creamy sauce with two types of cheese. The best macaroni and cheese recipe of all time!

After you try this homemade one pot mac and cheese, you’ll never turn to the boxed version again. Serve your mac and cheese with roasted broccoli or glazed carrots for a complete meal.

This stovetop mac and cheese is a one pot dish of tender macaroni simmered in an ultra creamy sauce with two types of cheese. This stovetop mac and cheese is a one pot dish of tender macaroni simmered in an ultra creamy sauce with two types of cheese.

Stovetop mac and cheese in a blue pot with a serving spoon.

There’s nothing better than homemade mac and cheese, and there are so many different ways to prepare it. I have a really great slow cooker mac and cheese that the family loves, but when we want dinner in a hurry, I turn to this stovetop mac and cheese recipe.

How do you make stovetop mac and cheese?

Start by whisking flour and butter together to make a thickener. Add water and milk to the pot, then stir in uncooked pasta and a variety of spices. Let the pasta simmer until it’s tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Add two types of cheese, then stir until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately, with a sprinkle of parsley if desired.

All of the ingredients to make macaroni and cheese.

Tips for the perfect dish

  • You can use any type of short pasta, just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. If you use a larger pasta such as penne, you may need to add more liquid to the pot.
  • Skip the bags of pre-shredded cheese and grate your own. The prepared shredded cheeses often contain preservatives and anti caking agents and do not melt smoothly.
  • This is a thick and cheesy mac! If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time until you’ve reached your desired consistency.
  • The dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

What is the best cheese to use for stovetop macaroni and cheese?

Cheddar cheese is my favorite choice for macaroni and cheese. It’s flavorful, melts great and gives the mac and cheese its traditional orange color. That being said, make sure you’re using a regular mild, medium or sharp cheddar cheese and not a cheddar cheese that’s extra sharp or aged. The aged cheeses can separate when melted and you won’t get a smooth and silky sauce. I often add in small amounts of other types of cheese for extra flavor, like parmesan, jack cheese or mozzarella. For this recipe, I’ve added some mozzarella because I love the creamy flavor it adds to this dish.

Pasta and milk in a blue pot.

What can you add to mac and cheese to make it better?

I am a purist, and I love my mac and cheese simply with the noodles and cheese sauce, with a little parsley for garnish. But there are countless ways to dress up your macaroni and cheese. Some suggestions are:

  • Crumbled bacon
  • Grilled chicken
  • Fresh herbs
  • Broccoli
  • Hot Sauce
  • Jalapenos

Cooked pasta with two types of shredded cheese.

What spices go well with mac and cheese?

Spices are a great way to accentuate the flavor of the cheese sauce. I typically add salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika to my macaroni and cheese. You could also use regular paprika, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, garlic salt, or chili powder.

A serving bowl of stovetop mac and cheese topped with parsley.

What goes with mac and cheese?

I typically serve this stovetop mac and cheese as a side dish, but my kids often eat it as a main course! Here are some entree and side dish suggestions to go with your mac and cheese.

  • Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
  • Brown Sugar Pork Chops
  • Baked Lemon Chicken
  • Honey Roasted Carrots
  • Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
  • Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

I hope your family enjoys this dish as much as mine does!

Stovetop Mac and Cheese Video

Stovetop mac and cheese in a blue pot with a serving spoon.
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4.88 from 40 votes

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

This stovetop mac and cheese is a one pot dish of tender macaroni in an ultra creamy cheese sauce. The best macaroni and cheese recipe!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword mac and cheese, stove top mac and cheese
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 478kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the flour, then whisk until combined, about 30 seconds.
  • Pour in the water and whisk until smooth and just thickened. 
  • Add the milk and whisk until combined. 
  • Stir in the macaroni, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and pepper, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
  • Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is done.
  • Turn the heat to low, then stir in the cheeses. Keep stirring until the sauce is smooth. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 434mg | Potassium: 333mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 985IU | Calcium: 612mg | Iron: 1.3mg

This post was originally published on April 23, 2018 and was updated on October 12, 2020 with new content.

Filed Under: Pasta, Side Dishes Tagged With: Cheese

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Comments

  1. Rita says

    February 5, 2021 at 10:18 pm

    Hi
    Can I replace cheddar cheese with gruyere?

    Thanks! 😊

    Reply
    • Sara says

      February 6, 2021 at 7:27 pm

      That should work!

      Reply
  2. Gurpreet says

    December 4, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is a lifesaver!! I tested it out at home and got great reviews and I loved the convenience of not having to boil the pasta. Then, I scaled the recipe up and made it for 135 people at homeless shelters. I’m using it for the second time this week to cook for 120 people – I can’t give enough thanks for a time-saver recipe that turns out great too!!

    Reply
  3. Blue says

    November 26, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    are the elbow already cooked before you add?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      November 26, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      No you add raw and they simmer in the milk and water!

      Reply
  4. Dave & Vuyo says

    October 29, 2020 at 12:37 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, what a great idea to cook everything in one pot! We replaced half the pasta with a head of broccoli and reduced the water by 3/4 cup, replaced half the salt with mustard powder, and used a few “cheese slices” (which have emulsifying salts, a trick we learned from Adam Ragusea along with mature cheddar. We sprinkled with the panko breadcrumb topping from Adam’s recipe and topped it with some grilled chicken to make it an all-in-one main course. It was creamy, the best mac & cheese we’ve ever made. Thanks so much for the awesome technique!

    Reply
  5. Kevin says

    October 23, 2020 at 2:37 pm

    5 stars
    I am all about mac and cheese! This one is a must try!

    Reply
  6. Kevin says

    October 21, 2020 at 9:16 am

    5 stars
    This is the best stovetop mac and cheese ever! So creamy and delicious!

    Reply
  7. Beti says

    October 21, 2020 at 7:12 am

    5 stars
    My kids love mac and cheese! This looks incredibly delicious!

    Reply
  8. katerina says

    October 21, 2020 at 7:11 am

    5 stars
    YUM! This looks like the perfect mac and cheese!! My kids would LOVE it!

    Reply
  9. Beth says

    October 21, 2020 at 6:34 am

    5 stars
    My son is going to love this recipe! He loves mac n cheese! I can’t wait to make this recipe! Looks so delicious and yummy!

    Reply
  10. Vikki says

    October 20, 2020 at 9:54 pm

    5 stars
    Extremely delicious, love how easy this is to make!

    Reply
  11. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

    October 20, 2020 at 7:17 pm

    5 stars
    This stovetop mac and cheese looks totally awesome!

    Reply
  12. Amanda says

    October 20, 2020 at 5:22 pm

    5 stars
    My family absolutely loved this, it came out amazing!

    Reply
  13. Jess says

    August 8, 2020 at 5:45 am

    If you want to use chicken when would you put it in?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      August 8, 2020 at 9:09 am

      For cooked chicken I’d just stir it in during the last 5 minutes to warm through!

      Reply
  14. Jim says

    July 22, 2020 at 2:24 pm

    5 stars
    can you use buttermilk instead of whole milk?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      July 22, 2020 at 3:07 pm

      I’d be concerned that the buttermilk would curdle in this recipe!

      Reply
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