One of our favorite weeknight meals, this easy cheesy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese can be on the dinner table in less than 30 minutes.
Easy, Cheesy and Full of Flavor
This is it, y’all! The dinner that’s always a winner! Easy, cheesy, and full of flavor. This creamy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese is on rotation with my Baked Mac and Cheese at least once a week. It never ceases to satisfy! One pot and less than 30 minutes is all it takes to have this tasty meal on the table for the whole family to enjoy…
Creamy and Dreamy
This homemade mac and cheese is so creamy and dreamy and makes for great leftovers! That is, if you’re lucky enough to have any! And not just our kids love this mac & cheese. Brandon and I crave it all the time, too!
I like to serve it as the main dish with a side salad or some veggies. Or I make it as a side dish to some barbecued meat or a holiday meal. And it makes for such a great dinner when served in the middle of a top-your-own Mac & Cheese Board with a variety of toppings like bacon, green onions, broccoli, hot sauce and more.
A blend of cheddar and American cheeses makes a creamy sauce they can’t resist. That means it’s the meltiest, most flavorful macaroni and cheese recipe around.
Watch Me Make Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Step into the kitchen with me to make this comfort food classic for dinner.
Pick Your Pasta!
I love using the large, thick cavatappi pasta for this creamy stovetop mac and cheese recipe because that shape of noodle is easier for the kids to pick up with their forks and it holds the thick cheese sauce so well, but feel free to use your family’s favorite pasta!
Homemade Mac n’ Cheese Ingredients and Supplies
(see recipe card at the bottom of this post for measurements and details)
Ingredients:
- Pasta – we loved using Cavatappi pasta for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite pasta!
- Shredded cheese blend (sharp cheddar, extra-sharp cheddar cheese, white cheddar, or Monterey Jack work great)
- American cheese slices
- Milk – I recommend whole milk, but any milk will work. You could also use half and half or chicken broth in place of the milk.
- Butter – I use unsalted butter so I can adjust the salt as desired, but feel free to use salted butter if that is what you have on hand.
- Garlic powder – You could also use onion powder in place of the garlic powder or a combination of the two seasonings.
- Salt
- Pepper
Supplies:
Macaroni and Cheese Board
With as many tasty toppings as your imagination can hold, this Mac & Cheese Board turns leftovers into a delicious DIY dinner dream. Everyone will love customizing their own bowl of creamy Mac & Cheese! What will you add to your mac?
How to Make Stovetop Mac and Cheese
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta water off the cooked pasta and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Then whisk the flour mixture into the melting butter, a little at a time. Whisk, continuously until the mixture is thick and starts to turn light brown, about a minute.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to whisk until the mixture starts to thicken, about 3 minutes.
- Turn the heat to low and add the cheeses, whisking until melted. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more milk. If the sauce is too thin, add some more cheese until of desired consistency. Add more salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir in the cooked macaroni until thoroughly coated. Serve and enjoy!
Storing Leftovers
How to store leftover macaroni and cheese: Store macaroni and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. This macaroni and cheese recipe stores great because the cheese sauce is very creamy and reheats well.
How to reheat leftover mac and cheese: Reheat in a microwave-safe dish in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through the heating time, or until warmed through. Alternatively, reheat in a pot on the stovetop over low heat until heated through, adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk or chicken broth, if the sauce seems dry.
How to freeze macaroni and cheese: To freeze leftover macaroni and cheese, let it cool completely and then transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container or plastic bag and place in the freezer for up to 2 months.
How to reheat frozen mac and cheese: When ready to enjoy, let the macaroni and cheese defrost in the refrigerator overnight and then transfer to a pot on the stovetop and warm over low heat until creamy and hot again. If the mac and cheese seems dry, add 1 tablespoon of milk or chicken broth at a time, while it’s reheating, to make it creamy again. You can also reheat defrosted mac and cheese in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through.
You can reheat frozen macaroni and cheese from frozen if you start by freezing it in a microwave-safe or oven-safe container. To reheat from frozen in the microwave, place in the microwave and heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring every minute or so, until heated through. To reheat from frozen in the oven, heat the oven to 350°F and cover the oven-safe dish with foil. Let bake for 45 minutes to one hour covered and then remove the foil and let bake for another 15 minutes or until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use pre-shredded cheese? Of course! I love a good convenience. However, some shredded cheeses are packaged with additives that can cause your cheese sauce to be a little grainy. Just make sure it’s a high-quality shredded cheese for optimal melting.
- Why else might my sauce be grainy? A grainy cheese sauce can also mean you’re cooking at too high of heat. If the cheese overcooks or burns, it will become grainy.
- What can I do if my sauce is too thick? Thin it out with a little milk or chicken broth, adding a tablespoon at a time and whisking continuously until it reaches your desired texture.
- What can I do if my sauce is too thin? Add more American cheese. The American cheese is very melty and will help thicken the sauce.
Comfort Foods You Can’t Resist
These family-style dinners will fill ’em up with comfort and good food!
- The Best Beef Stew: A hearty, warm meal that’s made with fresh ingredients and whole lotta love.
- Great Grilled Cheese: A warm, melty grilled cheese with a crisp butter outside and a gooey melted center is the ultimate comfort food.
- Crowd-Pleasing Turkey Lasagna: Gather the family around the table for the comfort of a hot, delicious meal. Fresh herbs, creamy cheeses, and ground turkey make this pasta dish a labor of love that everyone will enjoy.
If you make this Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me or tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see. If you’re on Facebook, be sure to join my Friends of The BakerMama group to connect and share all the fun and yummy recipes of mine that you make! 😍 I love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the recipes I share. Enjoy!
xoxo,
Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 8
- Category: Main
Description
One of our favorite weeknight meals, this easy cheesy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese can be on the dinner table in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta (I used cavatappi)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder or garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 3 cups milk
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces) American cheese, sliced or shredded
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat and then whisk in the flour mixture, a little at a time, continuously whisking until the mixture is thick and starts to turn light brown, about a minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to whisk until the mixture starts to thicken, about 3 minutes.
- Turn the heat to low and add the cheeses, whisking until melted. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more milk. If the sauce is too thin, add some more cheese until of desired consistency.
- Stir in the cooked pasta until thoroughly coated. Serve and enjoy!
Just made this. We added Smokey cheese, havarti, & Colby jack. It turned out absolutely delicious!! Thanks for the recipe????????
Hi can I use hi calcium skimmed milk and Parmesan cheese thanks
Hi Chloe! I haven’t tried the recipe with parmesan cheese so I couldn’t say for sure, but I’m assuming it would not melt into a creamy sauce like the cheese the recipe calls for. As long as the milk is not too thick, it should work. I hope it turns out just as great. Enjoy!
This is my go to Mac n cheese recipe taste like Costco mac n cheese in the deli hands down the bomb!
Can u do without the flour mixture..
Just .. butter, milk and cheese
Hi Donna! The flour is what helps create the thickness to the sauce which makes the mac and cheese creamier overall. You can certainly leave it out, but just make sure you’re using a good melty cheese. Enjoy!
I’ve bee making your recipe for several years now and my family and the neighbor kids LOVE it! I add a little dry mustard to my flour mixture for an extra little zing!
Hi! In one of the photos it looks like you pour the milk into the pasta sitting in water but I don’t see it listed in the step by step recipe. What step of the recipe is that? Thank you!
Hi Libby! In step 3, you’ll whisk the milk into the butter/flour mixture. That’s the butter/flour mixture you’re seeing in the image. The pasta doesn’t get stirred in until step 5. Enjoy!
Not sure what I did wrong but it looks gritty 🙁
Hi Sonia! I’m wondering if you burnt the milk mixture as it was thickening. You have to continually whisk it so it doesn’t burn as it thickens.
What American cheese do you use….I only am aware of the wrapped cheese slices, or what I can have sliced at the deli which I think is pretty much the same?
Hi Kelly! I usually use Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese slices. The wrapped cheese slices are more like Velveeta cheese, but they will work great too. Hope this helps!
This is so good. there’s never any leftovers. I add bacon to it
Just made this … it was so good..thanks for the recipe!
If using slices of American Cheese, how many slices do you use?
Hi Samantha! I use 6 (1-ounce) slices. Enjoy! 🙂