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One Pot Macaroni and Cheese (Stovetop)

6/3/14

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One Pot Macaroni and Cheese (Stovetop) is the perfect easy dish for busy weeknights. Best of all, packed with 3 favorite cheeses and ready in under 30 minutes!

Easy Stovetop Creamy Macaroni & Cheese takes only 30 minutes to make for a perfect weeknight meal.
Photos updated October 2017 from original June 2014 post

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. This One Pot Macaroni and Cheese is a simple recipe that’s ready in under 30 minutes. The best part is, you can ditch the blue box version and everything cooks up in just one pot.

One Pot Macaroni and Cheese (Stovetop)

What I love about this recipe is that you can just pour everything into a large heavy pot. Every so often, stir and you’ll have the creamiest and easiest mac & cheese.

Use your favorite combination of cheeses. I used: sharp cheddar, mozzarella and cream cheese.

Easy Stovetop Creamy Macaroni & Cheese takes only 30 minutes to make for a perfect weeknight meal
Easy Stovetop Creamy Macaroni & Cheese takes only 30 minutes to make for a perfect weeknight meal

And this stovetop macaroni and cheese is also great for cleaning out the fridge of any odds and ends you have. You can easily add in your favorite chopped vegetables or protein to make it a complete meal.

 

Easy Stovetop Creamy Macaroni & Cheese takes only 30 minutes to make for a perfect weeknight meal.
This recipe is also great for when it’s too hot to turn on your oven. Try sprinkling some toasted panko crumbs for an extra added crunch.

And of course, you are totally free to pop this in the oven or under the broiler for a few minutes to get that classic crunchy crust.

Easy Stovetop Creamy Macaroni & Cheese takes only 30 minutes to make for a perfect weeknight meal.

Cheesy, creamy and the ultimate comfort dish.

Easy Stovetop Creamy Macaroni & Cheese takes only 30 minutes to make for a perfect weeknight meal.
More mac and cheese recipes:

Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese

Instant Pot Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese

30 minute stovetop macaroni and cheese
Print
Easy One Pot Stovetop Creamy Macaroni and Cheese + Recipe Video
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
Easy, homemade Macaroni & Cheese made all in one pot in under 30 minutes on the stove.
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: homemade mac and cheese, mac and cheese recipe
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 816 kcal
Ingredients
  • 7 tablespoons butter
  • 7 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk whole milk works best
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • 2 1/4 cups dry elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 1 2/3 cups sharp cheddar freshly grated (not pre-packaged)
  • 2/3 cups mozzarella cheese freshly grated (not pre-packaged)(can also use Swiss, Montery Jack, gouda, Parmesan, Asiago, or Pecorino instead)
  • 1 2/3 cups sharp cheddar freshly grated (not pre-packaged)
  • 6 ounces cream cheese cut into cubes (can also use Swiss, Monterey Jack, gouda, Parmesan, Asiago, or Pecorino instead)
  • 2 slices provolone cheese for that extra gooeyness - feel free to leave out
  • fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
  • toasted panko crumbs for garnish and crunch (optional)
Optional Add-Ins:
  • bacon bits
  • smoked paprika so good!
  • cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a kick of heat
  • Worcestershire sauce for that extra punch of flavor just a teeny-tiny splash
Instructions
  1. In a large heavy pot or dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and continue to whisk and cook for 1 minute to create a roux. Whisk about 2/3 cup of milk and continue whisking - it will thicken up pretty quickly.
  2. Continue to whisk in remaining milk until smooth. Then add water, salt, black pepper, and seasonings.
  3. Pour in uncooked macaroni and continue stirring occasionally as it heats up and starts to boil. Lower heat and allow to cook for 11-13 minutes, stirring regularly. Once the sauce thickens and the macaroni is just cooked and tender, turn off heat and stir the cheeses in quickly. (The sauce thickens and reduces considerably after adding cheese). Remove from heat and adjust seasonings by adding more salt, black pepper, and other seasonings to taste.
  4. Stir in toasted panko crumbs or any optional add-ins and serve immediately with fresh parsley. (Or feel free to toss under the broiler or in the oven for a few minutes for an extra crunchy crust).
Recipe Notes

**Feel free to use any combination of cheese you like or just use all ONE cheese if that's what you prefer. I would suggest extra sharp cheddar or something with more flavor and bite if only using ONE cheese.
*This recipe is pretty forgiving as long as you continue to stir the pasta as it cooks and allow the sauce to thicken and get creamy.
* The sauce thickens ALOT after you stir the cheese in and remove from heat. Continue stirring until mixed in and creamy.

TROUBLESHOOTING:
* If you take the pot off too late and the sauce becomes too thick, just add a splash of milk or water.
* If you take it off too early, just return the pot back on the stove.

Nutrition Facts
Easy One Pot Stovetop Creamy Macaroni and Cheese + Recipe Video
Amount Per Serving (1 bowl (1/6 recipe))
Calories 816 Calories from Fat 468
% Daily Value*
Fat 52g80%
Saturated Fat 32g160%
Cholesterol 156mg52%
Sodium 1187mg49%
Potassium 365mg10%
Carbohydrates 52g17%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 33g66%
Vitamin A 1750IU35%
Calcium 723mg72%
Iron 1.8mg10%
* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 More easy comfort food:

Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese

Easy Pumpkin Stovetop Creamy Macaroni & Cheese takes only 30 minutes to make for a perfect weeknight meal for fall. Made with a mix of three popular cheeses: sharp cheddar, parmesan and cream cheese.

Easy Skinny Skillet Lasagna

30 Minutes for this Easy Skinny Skillet Lasagna made entirely in just one pan

Did you try this recipe?

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Posted June 3, 2014 In Noodles / Pasta, One Pan / Pot / Skillet, Recipes, Vegetarian, Video

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DISCLAIMER: Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.



Comments

  1. Lokness -

    June 7, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    Your recipe looks very delicious!!! I need to make this very soon! Thanks for sharing. I am getting very hungry now. 😛

    Reply
  2. Ashley -

    June 5, 2014 at 10:31 am

    Kelly this looks and sounds delicious! I’ll have to give this a try! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Anne ~ Uni Homemaker -

    June 3, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    Sounds delicious Kelly. Every once in a while no meat is good! YUM 🙂

    Reply
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Hi, I'm Kelly. I'm a mom of two who shares healthier and authentic Asian recipes I grew up making. Plus low carb & family friendly recipes. About Work With Me

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