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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
This post was originally published on April 23, 2018 and was updated on October 12, 2020 with new content.
Kyle says
I love your crock pot mac and cheese, it is one of my all time favorites! Could you add American cheese to this like the slower cooker one takes?
Also how would jack cheese affect the taste?
Sara says
Either of those cheeses will work!
Katie says
I just made this mac and cheese and it maybe the best I’ve ever made! Love this recipe
Susan says
Oh my gosh! This is the best mac & cheese ever! I have made mac & cheese several times and baked it and it turned out so dry. Where did all that liquid go?
I did use larger shell pasta and it took longer to cook and more water but still delicious. I didn’t have milk so I put half-and-half in there . I think the gluten from the pasta water makes it even creamier. Thank you for this recipe. Next time I will try gluten-free pasta.
Stephanie Miller says
Hello,
Can I just use sharp pre shredded cheese. ? I dont have any mozzarella. Also, is flour needed in this recipe? Thanks.
Suzanne says
The flour is used as a thickening agent, so it is a requirement or you will end up with soupy mac & cheese. Cornstarch can be used in place if necessary, or a gluten free flour if that is why you want to omit the flour.
If you don’t have any mozzarella, just use more cheddar, or any other type of cheese. The type of cheese is something that is versatile and can be modified to suit your tastes.
Pre-shredded cheese is coated so that it does not stick together in the bag. This makes it a bit weird to work with when trying to make a homogenous sauce. You can use it, but it will not melt down the same way block cheese will.
Kim says
Such a wonderful and easy recipe! Upsized it for a shelter dinner but I’ll be adding it to my mac and cheese rotation. Thanks so much!
Tanya says
I just made it turned out so good but wanted to broil for a bit with Panko breadcrumbs but wasn’t sure if it would ruin it or not since it’s already cooked lol.
Sara says
I think that would be fine!
Rita says
Hi
Can I replace cheddar cheese with gruyere?
Thanks! 😊
Sara says
That should work!
Gurpreet says
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!!
Blue says
are the elbow already cooked before you add?
Sara says
No you add raw and they simmer in the milk and water!
Dave & Vuyo says
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!
Kevin says
I am all about mac and cheese! This one is a must try!
Kelly says
How big a pot do I use for this recipe. I want to be sure I have enough space.
Sara says
I’d use a 3 or 4 quart pot!
Brenda Uldrick says
Does it reheat well?
Sara says
It should reheat fine but the pasta will absorb the sauce as it sits so you may need to add a splash of milk to get a creamier consistency.
Kevin says
This is the best stovetop mac and cheese ever! So creamy and delicious!
Beti says
My kids love mac and cheese! This looks incredibly delicious!
katerina says
YUM! This looks like the perfect mac and cheese!! My kids would LOVE it!
Beth says
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!
Vikki says
Extremely delicious, love how easy this is to make!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This stovetop mac and cheese looks totally awesome!
Amanda says
My family absolutely loved this, it came out amazing!
Jess says
If you want to use chicken when would you put it in?
Sara says
For cooked chicken I’d just stir it in during the last 5 minutes to warm through!
Jim says
can you use buttermilk instead of whole milk?
Sara says
I’d be concerned that the buttermilk would curdle in this recipe!