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    Home » Entrees » Creamy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

    Creamy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

    Published: Aug 3, 2019 · Modified: Nov 14, 2021 by Wendie · 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    Creamy stovetop macaroni and cheese is a classic and can be on the table in 30 minutes any night of the week. Combining two different cheeses creates the richest, creamiest pasta dish!

    Macaroni and cheese in a white bowl.


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    This macaroni and cheese is super creamy, with just a few simple ingredients, like my Southern Macaroni and Cheese with Smoked Sausages and comes together super fast. I mean who can deny a creamy bowl of comfort food? I know I can't!

    This is an easy homemade mac and cheese to satisfy both young and old and is seriously life-changing! If you like a little heat in your mac n cheese you've got to try my Bacon Jalapeno Mac n Cheese! Or switch it up with my Pulled Pork Mac n Cheese.

    A wooden spoon scooping up a serving of stovetop macaroni and cheese.Let's take a quick look at the ingredients

    • Elbow Pasta
    • Butter
    • All-Purpose flour
    • Half n half
    • Salt
    • Ground mustard powder
    • Garlic powder
    • Cayenne Powder
    • American Cheese
    • Cheddar Cheese

     

    Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese tips

    1. Any short pasta will work for this.
    2. Salt your pasta water.
    3. Cook your pasta al dente, it will cook a tad more in the cheese sauce.
    4. Have all your ingredients ready and measured, make sure all your ingredients are measured and ready to go.
    5. Grate your own cheese by hand Pre shredded cheese is coated with starches and doesn't melt as well.
    6. Cube your American cheese up into small pieces.

    Stovetop macaroni and cheese in a red cast iron skillet.

    What are the best kinds of cheese to use?

    I prefer a good sharp cheddar cheese. But you can always switch things up and use a combination of good melting cheese like mozzarella, gruyere cheese, or even pepper jack.

    Stovetop mac and cheese vs baked Mac and cheese

    Any form of mac and cheese is delicious in my opinion. The stovetop version has an unbelievably thick and creamy sauce and comes together much faster. The baked macaroni version has a delicious crust on top.

    Do I need to use American cheese?

    This macaroni and cheese are delicious with just cheddar cheese but the addition of American cheese makes it super creamy and adds silkiness to the dish. You could also use cream cheese.

    Macaroni and cheese add-ins!

    Broccoli
    Hotdogs
    Smoked sausage links
    Jalapenos
    Bacon

    How to store and reheat Mac and cheese

    Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop on low or in the microwave until heated through, and add a splash of milk. if it seems to dry.

    Stovetop macaroni and cheese with a wooden spoon.What can I serve with this?

    Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs
    Pan-Seared Garlic Rib Eye Steak
    Brined Herb Chicken Breasts
    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwich
    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwich
    Grilled Skirt Steak
    Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Hotdogs

    A spoon scooping a bite of stovetop macaroni and cheese.

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    Creamy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

    Wendie
    Creamy stovetop macaroni and cheese is a classic, and perfect any night of the week.
    4.29 from 63 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Entrees
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 840 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 10 ounces dry pasta I used elbow noodles
    • 1/3 cup butter
    • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
    • 2 cups half n half
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 2 cups cheddar cheese I used sharp
    • 1/2 cup American cheese the kind from the Deli
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Cook pasta according the the al dente directions
    • Heat a skillet or pot on medium low heat. Add the butter and whisk until melted, add in the flour and whisk until combined.
    • Slowly whisk in the milk a little at a time. Once all the half and half is whisked in reduce heat to low and let simmer just until thickened.
    • Whisk in the mustard, garlic powder, cayenne, until combined.
    • Turn off the heat and add the cheeses and whisk until melted.
    • Add in cooked pasta
    • Add salt and pepper to taste and serve!

    Video

    Notes

    1. Any short pasta will work for this.
    2. Cook your pasta al dente, it will cook a tad more in the cheese sauce.
    3. Grate your own cheese by hand Pre shredded cheese is coated with starches and doesn't melt as well.
    4. American cheese can be found in the deli section of your grocery store.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4ServingsCalories: 840kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 30gSaturated Fat: 34gCholesterol: 162mgSodium: 1414mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g
    Keyword mac n cheese, pasta
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


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    Comments

    1. Wendie

      December 14, 2022 at 6:24 pm

      American cheese is found in the deli section of your grocery store. Velvetta is a good substitute for American cheese.

    2. ELIZABETH JANE STONE

      December 14, 2022 at 5:14 am

      Hi, what is American cheese? All I could find is real cheddar cheese or Velveeta and then processed slice cheese.

    3. Wendie

      July 21, 2022 at 3:50 pm

      I get it from the deli, you can use Velvetta instead, or replace it with additional cheddar cheese.

    4. Rick Longster

      July 20, 2022 at 11:58 pm

      Add to taste concentrated chicken oxo to enhance the taste in place of any salt.

    5. Lynda Cook

      July 20, 2022 at 8:53 pm

      What do you mean by American cheese. In Canada nothing is listed by that name. Do you mean Velveeta- if not can you give me several name brands and I’ll try and find it.

    6. Ruthie

      March 16, 2022 at 4:40 pm

      This looks like a really good recipe! Definitely saving it for my family.

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