With this recipe, you’ll skip the oven and make a Stovetop Mac and Cheese that’s quicker, easier, and downright irresistible. Made with tender pasta bathed in a creamy cheese sauce, it will keep everyone coming back for more.
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This Stove Top Mac and Cheese is Simply the Best
This mac and cheese recipe is a comfort food game-changer. We love our traditional baked version (it’s great when you have extra time on your hands) but needed a version that’s just as good without all the time. My son used to love the boxed mac and cheese and I know I could do better. This stovetop version guarantees the quickest and most delicious mac and cheese from the stovetop to the dinner table in just 25 minutes and that’s so much better than the powdered box mix.
What makes this mac and cheese truly so scrumptious is the creamy homemade cheese sauce. We walk you step-by-step to get the creamiest cheese for this pasta dish. You can’t mess it up!
The cheesy mac makes the ultimate side dish, or you can even serve it as a main course. Plus, because you’re making it from scratch, you can customize each time you make it to give it a new twist each time.
For other cheesy side dishes, you should also try these Funeral Potatoes or this Pineapple Cheddar Casserole.
Why You’ll Love This Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Quick and easy recipe – This stovetop macaroni is prepared in just 25 minutes, perfect for those busy weeknights.
- Better than the boxed stuff – It’s hands down better than that blue box of mac and cheese.
- Easily customized – You can add your own twist and customize the toppings, or swap the ingredients to your liking.
Recommended Tools:
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Pasta strainer
- Whisk
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Serving bowls
Stovetop Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni – this is the classic pasta used in mac and cheese, but you can use your favorite shape.
- Butter – I prefer to use unsalted butter so that I can control the amount of sodium.
- All-purpose flour – this is used to create a roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Whole milk – adds a creamy texture to the sauce.
- Sour cream – this adds a subtle tangy flavor to the mac and cheese.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, Kosher salt and black pepper – basic seasonings used to give the pasta and cheese sauce flavor.
- Mustard powder and ground nutmeg – used to give the sauce extra warm flavors.
- Hot sauce – optional but can add a subtle kick of heat that works well with the creamy mac and cheese.
- Sharp cheddar cheese – for the best result, you’ll want to shred it from a block. We used sharp, but you can use different cheeses if you prefer.
For the exact recipe, see the recipe card below.
How to make Homemade Mac and Cheese (Stovetop)
Step One: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni according to package directions or until al dente. Drain the cooked pasta and set it aside.
Step Two: Make the Roux
- Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, or until the mixture is slightly brown.
- Add the whole milk and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the sour cream, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, hot sauce, and nutmeg.
- Cook on medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
Step Three: Add the Cheese
- Once the mixture is thick and sticks to the back of a spoon, reduce it to low heat and add cheddar cheese. Whisk until the cheese melts and the mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
Step Four: Combine the Sauce with the Pasta
- Add the drained pasta to the creamy sauce and stir to combine. Serve your creamy stovetop mac and cheese immediately.
Variations of Homemade Stovetop Mac and Cheese
- Protein – Feel free to add more protein to this stovetop homemade mac and cheese recipe. Chopped cooked bacon or hot dogs are an easy and affordable choice and will make it a main dish your little picky eaters will love.
- Vegetables –: For added nutrients, next time, throw in some steamed broccoli, peas, carrots, or corn.
- Special occasions – If you’re planning a fancy dinner, you can fold in some crab meat, steamed lobster, or shrimp.
- Gluten-free – If you have a gluten intolerance, you can make this easy homemade mac and cheese with gluten-free pasta.
- Types of cheese – You can use all different kinds of cheese. Smoked gouda, gruyere, fontina, white cheddar, mozzarella, American cheese, Monterey Jack, or a combination of cheeses.
- Different pasta shapes – You can use any type of pasta you like. Cavatappi, fusilli, or shells are great choices.
Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe Tips
- Be sure to add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water when cooking the pasta. It’s an important step that adds flavor to the mac and cheese.
- For this recipe, you’ll boil macaroni just until it is al dente. The cooking time may vary depending on what’s on the package. Overcooking the pasta can cause it to become too mushy.
- For the best homemade macaroni and cheese sauce, skip the pre-shredded cheese. You’ll want to grate your own cheese off the block because it melts so much smoother.
- The sauce is thick and creamy. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a splash of milk, heavy cream, or evaporated milk, a little at a time, until you’ve reached your desired consistency.
- If you decide to experiment with cheeses, make sure you choose a good melting cheese like the ones I mentioned in the variations. Other cheeses can cause the sauce to have a grainy texture.
How Do You Thicken Stovetop Mac and Cheese?
This recipe has a thick sauce, so you should not have an issue with it being too runny. Just make sure you drain the pasta well before adding it to the sauce. If it appears that it’s runny, try increasing the amount of cheese until it’s thick enough.
What to Serve with Homemade Stovetop Mac and Cheese
You name it! This easy stovetop mac and cheese makes an amazing side dish for almost any main course. Try it with one of these family favorites:
- Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders
- Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Steak Bites
- Marry Me Chicken
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
- Herb-stuffed Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Mac and Cheese Recipe Stovetop Recipe Storage
Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing this mac and cheese since it has milk and sour cream that tend to separate when frozen and thawed.
Reheating this Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe
Reheat leftovers on the stove over medium-low heat. You may want to add a little bit of milk to help make it creamy again.
More Delicious and Easy Dinner Sides
- Scalloped Pineapple Casserole
- Funeral Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole
- Jiffy Corn Casserole
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Best Baked Beans
Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese shredded from a block
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain, and set aside.2 cups elbow macaroni
- Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, or until the mixture is slightly brown.2 Tablespoons butter, 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Add whole milk and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the sour cream, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, hot sauce, and nutmeg.1 cup whole milk, ½ cup sour cream, ¼ teaspoon mustard powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon hot sauce, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Cook on medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Once the mixture is thick and sticks to the back of a spoon, reduce heat to low and add cheddar cheese. Whisk until the cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Add the drained macaroni and stir to combine. Serve immediately
Notes
Nutrition
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