Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese from Scratch
This Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese from Scratch is so easy to make and only requires 1 pot!
I used to turn up my nose at the very thought of macaroni and cheese. Growing up, we rarely ate the stuff. Occasionally we'd try a prepackaged variety. Horrid. Just horrid.
Fast forward to after Reuben and I were married. He told me about how much he liked mac and cheese. So I decided to try make some for him: from scratch. It was massively gross. I used whole wheat noodles which were bitter, and the sauce was tasteless. Needless to say I was very discouraged.
And so Reuben convinced me to (reluctantly) buy the prepackaged variety. To my surprise, I quite liked it.
But I didn't want to give up on mac and cheese from scratch.
I tried my fair share of macaroni and cheese recipes. They were all disappointing on some level. And then one day, being fed up with making cheese sauces and shoving mac and cheese into the oven, I decided to simplify things. I threw some good ingredients into a pot of noodles and gave it a stir. Bingo. Delicious. Stovetop macaroni and cheese.
This recipe is quite rich. So if you aren't in love with all things cheesy and creamy, this may not be the recipe for you. But if you like things over-the-top, you should definitely give this a try.
NOTE: I like shredding the cheese myself rather than using the pre-shredded stuff you buy in a big bag - it's full of anti-caking agents.
Also, inspired by Tracy, I gave Sriracha on mac and cheese a try. It was quite good.
If you like to experiment with your mac and cheese, make sure to check out my Caramelized Onion, Bacon, and Arugula Mac and Cheese - it's a good one!
Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
This mac and cheese is made with real ingredients, and only dirties up one pot!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of pasta shells, bow ties, penne, whatever you please
- 6-7 ounces of cheddar cheese shredded
- 6 tablespoons of butter
- 3 tablespoons of cream
- salt to taste
Instructions
-
1) Bring a pot of water to a boil. GENEROUSLY salt the water. It's critical to salt the water enough, otherwise you pasta will be tasteless. Add the pasta and cook to your preferred doneness. Drain and return pasta to pan (I like to use a pot with a draining lid).
-
2) Add the butter to the still-hot pasta, cover and allow to melt a bit. Add the cheese and cream and give it a good stir. Put the lid back on and let it rest a bit. Give it another stir after a few minutes. Everything should come together into a smooth sauce. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Serve immediately.
-
3) Store any leftover in the refrigerator. Make sure to add a little cream to the pot when you reheat; otherwise the cheese will separate.
Yay! I'm glad to hear that homemade mac n cheese is now a part of your life! I make this stove-top version very often since it's delicious, makes for good leftovers, and is pretty quick. For the cream, I use a small can of evaporated milk. It's cheap and I can always have one on hand.
Yum! I only ever make mac'n'cheese from scratch. I can't stand the boxed stuff, even though that's what I grew up eating. I like my cheese sauce thick, so I start the sauce with butter and flour and then add in milk (usually evaporated milk and 2%) and I use super, super sharp cheese. The sharper the better. I'm going to try it your way next! I have some cream in the fridge that I need to use up.
Homemade mac and cheese is the best! And this recipe looks lovely - I love the cream in it!
I will eat mac-n-cheese any way you serve it (boxed, from a powder/squeeze bag, homemade, whatever) but I have been pinning more varieties lately because I love trying different cheeses in them. Will be adding this to my list to try.
Can't wait to try your version!!
You make mac and cheese look legendary! Gorgeous and it looks delish!
I hate boxed, but I love it made on the stove with some Velveeta (gasp!) melted in and lots of milk. I like it "runny". I'll have to try your recipe, perhaps with more cream!
This looks great. The only change I'd make is octupling the cheese to suit my tastes.
It seems like there are a lot of M&C recipes making the rounds lately. Makes me hungry!
Oh My! I love mac and cheese and you make this look so easy and way better than that Velveeta nonsense.
I adore pasta and cheese together in any form. Usually I make baked macs, then I found mac and cheese in the crockpot, and now our latest version is the one-pot thing like yours. My 8 year old is obsessed with making it right now. (here's my crockpot version, by the way: http://thriftathome.blogspot.com/2013/08/busy-day-macaroni-and-cheese.html)
My Italian mother used to make the most delicious baked Mac and cheese, with a creamy cheese sauce made with lots of cheddar, Parmesan cheese and a beaten egg added to it, and then baked with extra Parmesan on top till crispy and golden! Yummy!
Mac and cheese with bowtie pasta is the secret to life, the universe and everything.
Macaroni with cheese is seem to me a food from divine. I am very much fond of this recipe. A;so "Macaroni and Cheese" or in short "Mac and Cheese" is the most common recipe that we can find under "Kids Menu" in any restaurant. Chinese Takeaway Cumbernauld
I can’t wait to try your recipe. I hope it works and tastes delicious.
Hope you enjoy! ?
6/6 in my house said never make it again.
This gave me a good laugh. 😂
I've made this recipe for years, and love it! It's so quick, creamy, and delicious. I don't really even need the recipe anymore, but it's been awhile so I came to check it and realized I need to leave a review. Thanks, Erica! Lots of my stand-bys are from you.
Aw, thanks, Cait!
I'm a 60 year old "southern girl", so yeah, mac and cheese is in my DNA! I come from a long line of "season with your heart" and "season until your ancestors whisper "that's enough child". I'm used to making mac and cheese the old fashion way, but now that I'm older and trying to eat healthier, we don't eat it as often as we used to. I liked this recipe because it was quick and simple...ya know, straight to the point. If my mama was still living and she knew that I made mac and cheese without making a roux, she'd have to alert the church elders! I made it and it was very nice and I will def. be making it again!
Okay, this may be one of my favorite comments.