This delicious and easy to make stovetop macaroni and cheese is done in just under 20 minutes and will become an instant family favorite.
Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
This stovetop macaroni and cheese recipe is a staple in my house.
My family loves Mac and Cheese and requests if often. Sometimes I just don’t have the time to make my usual baked version.
Here’s where this stovetop recipe comes in handy. It only takes 20 minutes to make and is so incredibly easy.
I can throw this together in no time at all and my kids absolutely love it.
But seriously, who wouldn’t like pasta covered in a creamy cheese sauce?
In the colder months, I usually serve this as a main course. Then when the warmer weather starts to roll in, I like to serve it as a side.
There’s nothing better than a nice, big juicy cheeseburger or hot dog with some macaroni and cheese on the side.
This recipe is always a huge hit and I hope that you give it a try.
If you do, I know that you’ll love it just as much and my family and I do.
Fast. Simple. Delicious.
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Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Variations
I love this macaroni and cheese recipe as is, but here are some ways to change it up if you’d like to.
- Pasta- use any kind of tube like pasta instead of macaroni that you’d like.
- Cheese- any cheese or blend of cheeses would work for this recipe. Just be sure to shred the cheese yourself because it will melt much better that way.
Other Easy Pasta Recipes
If you like easy to make pasta recipes like this one, here are some others that I know you’ll love, too.
Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Cheddar cheese, hand shredded
- Salt, pepper and garlic powder
Instructions
First, boil the macaroni in salted water until al dente. (The cooking time for that will be right on the back of the package.
While that’s cooking, melt the butter in a large pot and slowly whisk in the flour.
Now, let that cook for a couple of minutes and slowly whisk in the milk until everything is nice and smooth.
Then, let the milk simmer for about 5 minutes and season it with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Next, stir in the shredded cheese (add about half a cup of cheese at a time) until it’s melted smoothly into the sauce.
Then, gently stir in the al dente macaroni.
Now, let the pasta sit for about 5 minutes to absorb some of the sauce and thicken up.
Finally, give everything a nice big stir, serve warm and enjoy!
Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound Macaroni Pasta
- 1 stick Butter
- ⅓ cup Flour
- 4 cups Milk
- 4 cups Cheddar Cheese, hand shredded
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 tbs Garlic Powder
Instructions
- First, boil the macaroni in salted water until al dente. (The cooking time for that will be right on the back of the package.
- While that’s cooking, melt the butter in a large pot and slowly add in the flour. Whisk the butter and flour together for a couple of minutes.
- Now, slowly whisk in the milk until everything is nice and smooth. Let the milk simmer for about 5 minutes and season it with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Keep in mind that the cheese can be salty.
- Next, stir in the shredded cheese (add about half a cup of cheese at a time) until it’s melted smoothly into the sauce.
- Then, gently stir in the al dente macaroni and let the pasta sit for about 5 minutes to absorb some of the sauce and thicken up.
- Finally, give everything a nice big stir, serve warm and enjoy!
Elaine C says
Mine came out grainy. Will try again another time
Al Dente Diva says
Hi! Usually that happens if you add the cheese too fast and too much at a time. Add the cheese in slowly about 1/2 a cup at a time. It should do the trick
Anonymous says
This is one of the worst recipes I've ever followed. No temperatures listed, doesn't say whether to cover it while it simmers or not, and "a couple of minutes" is not specific by any means. This did not work. Just a waste of money. I'm never using this website again
Al Dente Diva says
Hi! No problem but just an fyi- a “couple” means 2. Simmer means low and usually if something needs to be covered- it will state that. Otherwise you don’t need to. Hope you find a website that is more specific in their instructions
Carrie says
It came out delicious for me but I guessed at melting the butter on medium heat since there wasn’t a specification. I added crushed garlic after the butter melted and I was out of milk so used half n half which probably made it creamier. I used half fresh grated white cheddar, half freshly shredded jalapeño jack cheese. It was the perfect base for mac n chili that way.
Al Dente Diva says
Love that you made it your own! That’s awesome & sounds delicious