Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Easy stovetop mac and cheese is just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to make, but so creamy, cheesy and delicious! It's perfect for an easy dinner side dish!

Y'all might already know that we are a mac and cheese loving family.

Earlier this week I shared pumpkin baked mac and cheese with bacon, which is a super fun dish for fall and celebrating all things pumpkin.

And previously I've shared healthy chicken broccoli mac and cheese, kale and butternut squash mac and cheese and my baked taco mac and cheese casserole.

But I realized I hadn't brought you my more basic, everyday, go-to macaroni and cheese recipes. Oops.

So I'm going to right that wrong. Starting here. Starting now.

Presenting easy stovetop mac and cheese, at long last.

I've made this for years, starting as a homemade macaroni and cheese recipe for my kiddos to avoid the artificial boxed kind.

I love how quick and easy it is and that I always have what I need to make this. Simple, on-hand ingredients here, nothing fancy.

And this soft, creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese is super simple to make in a pan on the stove, with no baking needed.

It's so crazy delicious!

Plus, it's just 5 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. So you can make it tonight. Today. Right now.

Bonus: This easy stovetop mac and cheese is ready in just about 15 minutes!

(It could be a little longer if it takes your water a long time to come to a boil to cook the pasta. But cooking the pasta and making the sauce at the same time just takes 10 minutes, so this really is a breeze.)

It's pretty much instant gratification for all your macaroni and cheese desires. Which is just my style.

(If you love mac and cheese like we do, check out this one-pot turkey chili mac that's ready in just 30 minutes and a great family friendly dinner!)

OK, let's get cooking.

Recipe Notes:

Pasta: I used a classic small elbow shaped pasta for this recipe, but you can substitute other pasta types. (See more on that below.)

Cheese: This recipe uses a sharp white cheddar cheese for the cheese. You can use regular cheddar or read on for some other cheese mix-and-match ideas.

Milk: I use 2% or skim milk for this recipe since that's what we always have on hand, but it would work great with whole milk as well.

Alternatives: I've also made this with soy milk before (because my daughter used to have a cow's milk allergy) and that worked fine too. You can do that and substitute a dairy-free butter and cheese and have this be a dairy-free or vegan macaroni and cheese if you'd like.

Consistency: This macaroni and cheese may seem liquidy when you first get finished with it. As I mention in the recipe card, if you let it sit for 5 minutes or so in the pan, it will thicken up a lot. (And don't worry, it's still hot.)

Also, I should note this makes a lot! We use the entire 1-pound box of pasta for this recipe.

You could definitely halve the recipe and have just enough for about 4 people as a side dish if you prefer. Though I have notes below on storing leftovers if you'd like to have some on hand for another night.

Mac & Cheese FAQs:

Also, you may have heard about cooking your noodles in milk instead of water.

I've done this before and while it gets really creamy noodles, it's not my favorite method for a few reasons:

1. It is really easy for the milk to bubble over the top of the pan. The minute you take your eyes off it, it's going to bubble over and create a huge mess on your stove.
2. I've even tried the wooden spoon on top of the pot and it helped, but it's still a risk.
3. If you make the pasta in the milk and then just drain most of it and stir in your cheese, you are missing the butter/flour mixture that's the base of a traditional cheese sauce. And that shouldn't be missed.

Of course, you know I'm happy for you to experiment and play and make a recipe your own, but I did want to share my perspective and experience on that.

Here are a few topping ideas if you want to dress up and finish off this easy homemade mac and cheese recipe. Some are pretty basic and some are a little more wild.

Macaroni and cheese toppings:

• Extra cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, etc.)
• Cooked, crumbled bacon
• Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
• Chopped chives or green onions
• Hot sauce or sriracha for some heat
• Pickled jalapeños
• Pico de gallo
• Sliced grilled chicken
• Crumbled ground beef or turkey
• Sliced avocado or a dollop of guac
• Steamed broccoli, halved cherry tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms make a great vegetable addition.

I hope you've enjoyed mac and cheese week here on the blog. And stay tuned, because I've got other versions coming at you soon!

You can sign up for free e-newsletter to get all of my new recipes delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss a thing. I'll even send you my free e-cookbook, Healthy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you!

Happy cooking!

XO,

Kathryn

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4.55 from 11 votes

Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Easy stovetop mac and cheese is just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to make, but so creamy, cheesy and delicious! It's perfect for an easy dinner side dish!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Yield: 8 servings

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Ingredients

• 1 (1 lb.) box macaroni or small or medium shell pasta
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons flour of choice
• 2 cups whole, 2% or skim milk (see notes)
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (see notes)
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add a small handful of salt and the pasta. Cook, stirring occasionally, according to the package directions until the pasta is al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly.
• Slowly add in 2 cups milk, whisking constantly, until the mixture is smooth. Add the shredded cheese, salt and pepper and stir until the cheese is melted. Let the cheese sauce cook for 2-3 minutes to warm through.
• Add the cooked, drained pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined.
• Turn off heat and let the mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes (this helps it thicken up.) Taste and adjust seasonings and serve hot.

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Notes

Milk: I use 2% or skim milk for this recipe since that's what we always have on hand, but it would work great with whole milk as well.

I’ve also made this with soy milk before (because my daughter used to have a cow’s milk allergy) and that worked fine too. You can substitute a dairy-free butter and cheese and have this be a dairy-free or vegan version.

Cheese: I used a sharp white cheddar cheese for the cheese in this recipe. You can use regular cheddar or a combination of cheeses (such as cheddar and Monterey Jack, Gruyere or American cheeses.)

Reheating: You can reheat single servings easily in the microwave, starting with about 45 seconds to a minute, then stirring and adding additional time until it’s nice and hot. Feel free to add a few splashes of milk and/or some extra cheese to make sure it doesn’t dry out as it reheats.

Freezing leftovers: Extras freeze great! Simply let the leftovers cool down, then transfer to a freezer safe plastic bag or container, label it, and keep in the freezer for 4-5 months. Defrost it overnight in the fridge and then reheat in the microwave or in a small casserole dish (details above).

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 502mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g

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Need to round out your meal? I've got you.

Serving Ideas:

Protein: Grilled or baked chicken or pork would be great here. Baked chicken thighs are an easy favorite. Or try balsamic pork tenderloin with thyme or spice-rubbed pork chops. It's great alongside some pulled pork sandwiches too. Or try 15-minute paprika chicken for a quick and easy dinner all around. Grilled or seared steak would be a delicious pairing, too.

Vegetable: We love this with a big green salad for something fresh and light. It's also great with steamed asparagus or broccoli, roasted or sautéed Brussels sprouts or green beans.

Or if you need more mac and cheese in your life, I've got you covered there too.

Try this classic baked mac and cheese that I make for every holiday. (My mom is mildly obsessed with it!) or try this hands off crock pot mac and cheese. And you can make Instant Pot mac and cheese too. Team mac and cheese for life!