Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

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5 from 9 votes

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This easy mac and cheese recipe is made completely on the stovetop and without any odd ingredients. Have your side dish or main course on the table in under 30 minutes!

A bowl of macaroni and cheese, with a fork stuck into the side.

When it comes to foods that are deeply personal, mac and cheese floats pretty close to the top of the list. Perhaps only outranked by cornbread and biscuits, this classic comfort food is one that we often hold near and dear to our hearts.

I mean, what’s not to love? Tender macaroni noodles encased in a creamy, cheesy sauce, served warm and ready to eat without any fussy flavors or textures. It’s a food that’s always safe, always there, and always delicious.

This recipe for stovetop mac and cheese is easy, cheesy (obviously), and as comforting as any bowl of mac and cheese would be – whether it be boxed, or topped in mounds of fancy cheeses.

But what it offers is all the simplicity of a box of macaroni cheese, with that from-scratch and homemade flavor of more complicated recipes. It’s ready in far less than 30 minutes and provides all the comforting creaminess you want from a bowl of this childhood classic.

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 Why this stovetop mac and cheese?

I set out on a mission this year to create a creamy stovetop mac and cheese recipe that had several requirements. First, it needed to be really easy. Second, it had to be as simple as boxed mac and cheese. And lastly, it had to make sense for busy weeknights and very possibly not involve an oven.

A pot with Mac and cheese in it.

Because so many of my readers want the same for their recipes.

I asked my Insta followers for their favorite, go-to, ultimate comfort food, best cheesy homemade recipe for mac and cheese. I pilfered through all of the recipes from grandma, Alton Brown, Paula Deen, someone’s great aunt, and church elders, and you know what? I found a lot of weird stuff.

Strange ingredients, odd methods, things that were just not on my list of “must haves” for the best stovetop mac and cheese recipe for my readers.

So I got to testing, made several batches of stovetop macaroni and cheese. Want to know what I learned? That you can have a really incredible classic mac and cheese without ground mustard, hot sauce, heavy cream, Velveeta, bread crumbs, tomatoes, ground nutmeg, sour cream, dijon mustard, or cayenne pepper.

Yes, these were all actual ingredients in actual recipes I got from folks who said they were musts.

And listen… There is nothing wrong with any mac and cheese recipe that has one, some, or all of these ingredients in it. But the perfect recipe, to me, means I don’t need to go to the store and I definitely won’t wind up with a spice I’ll never use again.

So, my friends… Here it is! My favorite recipe for mac and cheese, made completely on the stovetop that the whole family will enjoy (yes, I even tested it on some picky eaters)!

Stove Top Mac and Cheese Ingredients

One of the best things about this easy stovetop mac and cheese is the ingredients. The list is pretty short, and can easily be made with items you probably already have on hand.

While so many homemade macaroni and cheese recipes are delicious and decadent, there are very few that address the need for simplicity.

If I’m reaching for a box of mac and cheese in the cupboard, it’s because I want something my kids will eat without coaxing and something that is ready in less than 20 minutes.

This recipe for stovetop mac and cheese speaks to those issues since it can be prepared in one pot, is a no-drain recipe, and doesn’t require any additional steps or strange ingredients.

A bowl of macaroni and cheese with a fork in it.
  • unsalted butter
  • all-purpose flour
  • water
  • milk
  • salt
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • elbow macaroni
  • cheddar cheese

What you get is all of the convenience of a box, but made from scratch using real ingredients you keep on hand. I think that sounds like a delicious (and easy) compromise, don’t you?

CAN I USE PRE-SHREDDED CHEESE?

If you’re making homemade mac and cheese, I highly recommend using cheese that you shred yourself off of the block. It doesn’t take a whole lot of extra time, and I promise the results are worth it.

Store-bought pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking additives, which prevent them from melting completely smooth, giving the finished sauce a grainy texture. For this reason, I recommend shredding your own sharp cheddar cheese.

A food processor filled with finely shredded cheese.

As a time-saving tip, try using your food processor!

Mine comes with a shredding plate, making shredding cheese a total cinch – and most of the parts can go in the dishwasher. You can even shred your cheese in large amounts, portioning it into zipper bags and stashing it in the freezer for later use.

HOW TO MAKE STOVETOP MAC AND CHEESE

You’re going to love how simple this recipe is. The hardest part is pronouncing “roux” correctly (spoiler alert: it’s pronounced “roo”).

1. MAKE A ROUX

Like so many good, classic comfort foods, this stovetop mac and cheese recipe starts with a roux. If you’ve never made one before, you might be kind of intimidated, but I promise it’s super simple!

To make your roux, add a large pot (or a deep saucepan) over medium heat. Add the butter once the pot is hot, and swirl to coat.

Once the butter is fully melted (and starting to sizzle a bit), add the flour and whisk until combined.

Whisking together butter and flour in a saucepan.

Allow it to cook for a minute or so, whisking pretty much constantly to prevent burning. You’re just trying to eliminate any raw flour taste, which really doesn’t take that long to do.

2. ADD THE LIQUID

Then add in the water (2 cups) and whisk until completely smooth, ensuring to whisk out any lumps. Once the water is fully incorporated, add in the milk and whisk again until the sauce is lump-free.

Adding milk to a saucepan with a roux, to form a thick sauce.

Then add in the salt, garlic powder, and onion powder to season the creamy base, and whisk until everything is well combined and smooth.

If this looks kind of watery right now, no worries! Unlike many mac and cheese recipes, this one is a no-drain recipe, meaning the noodles are going to cook right in with the sauce. So that water we added in earlier? Yep, that’s for cooking the macaroni!

3. ADD THE UNCOOKED NOODLES

Once all of the liquid and seasonings have been added to the initial roux, add the macaroni elbows and increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.

Adding macaroni into white sauce.

As soon as a boil has been reached, immediately turn down the heat to just a simmer. Stir constantly, maintaining at a simmer for 6 minutes, or until the noodles are at your desired level of doneness and tenderness (I like mine on the al dente side).

It’s SO important to maintain a simmer here, avoiding both going too low with the temperature, or too high with the temperature.

If the heat is too high, the liquid will evaporate more quickly than it can be absorbed by the macaroni, resulting in your mac and cheese being underdone.

If the heat is too low, not enough liquid will evaporate and it will be on the soupy side. So for the best results, adjust the temperature as needed to maintain a true simmer.

A skillet filled with homemade Mac and cheese and a wooden spoon.

If you find that there is too much liquid left after the noodles are completely cooked, you can easily remove some of the liquid. Just keep in mind that the macaroni will absorb some of the liquid as it cools, thickening the sauce up.

4. ADD THE CHEESE

Once your noodles are cooked to your liking, reduce the heat to low and add in 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (feel free to use a combination of cheeses you like– remembering to shred off the block, if you can!) stirring it until it melts into a smooth, creamy sauce.

Once the sauce is creamy and uniform, scoop the mac and cheese into bowls and serve immediately. Top with additional shredded cheese if you like, but personally? I find this recipe has more than enough cheesy goodness all on its own.

A bowl of homemade Mac and cheese.

If you have kids and they are anything like mine, they are going to be totally obsessed with this and you will likely have zero leftovers.

How is it that kids can only manage approximately one floret of broccoli, but endless amounts of mac and cheese? If you find out the answer, let me know because I’m still wondering how it’s possible!

But if you do have leftovers, you can store them tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to about 5 days. I like to reheat it with a touch of water or milk since pasta tends to be a bit dry after storing it in the refrigerator.

If you want to, you can even freeze any leftovers. Place them in freezer containers or bags and freeze them for up to 3 months. Then just thaw in the refrigerator before reheating and serving.

A pot with macaroni and cheese, with a serving bowl in the corner.

How to make homemade stovetop mac and cheese ahead

If you want to make stovetop mac and cheese ahead of time, you totally can! I do prefer the taste and texture of fresh, but it’s still super delicious when reheated.

You can choose to make it up in advance and store it in the fridge (for up to 5 days), or in the freezer (up to 3 months) and reheat it once you’re ready to serve. As I mentioned earlier, adding a bit of water or milk prevents it from being on the dry side.

Alternatively, you can prepare it and transfer it to a casserole dish. Then, when you’re ready to serve you can top it with buttered breadcrumbs and bake it in the oven like you would a casserole-style version of macaroni and cheese. Totally up to you and your preferences.

Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe Stovetop Variations

Feel free to use ANY shredded cheese you like here as well as any short noodle. Just pay attention to the doneness of the noodles since different noodles will cook at different times.

How to serve this Easy Mac and Cheese Stovetop recipe

While this mac and cheese is delicious on its own, if you want to make it a full meal, I love adding shredded or cubed chicken and broccoli.

Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese storage

Store this mac and cheese in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.

Homemade Mac and Cheese Stovetop FAQs

Why isn’t my homemade mac and cheese creamy?

If your mac and cheese isn’t creamy, be sure you’ve used full fat dairy (milk and cheese). Also be sure you haven’t over-cooked your mixture, as it will dry out.

What cheeses not to use for mac and cheese?

Be sure you’re using a cheese that melts nicely. Dry crumble cheese like feta or gorgonzola aren’t great choices here since they don’t melt very well.

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste bland?

Be sure you’re adding salt, and if it’s not salty enough as written, add more. This recipe is written for cheddar cheese, which is typically salty enough for mac and cheese. If you use something different, you may have a different final taste than expected.

Should you rinse pasta for mac and cheese?

Do not rinse pasta for this mac and cheese recipe. You are starting with completely raw noodles, and they will cook in the milk/cheese mixture.

A bowl of macaroni and cheese with a fork sticking out.

If you’re looking for more quick, easy, comforting meals that also happen to be kid-friendly, I’ve got you covered. This popular recipe for tortilla pizza is always one I keep in my back pocket, ready for when pizza cravings suddenly hit.

I also love making easy sheet pan meals like these sheet pan quesadillas, or a homemade sheet pan pizza (yes, we love pizza, but who doesn’t!?). Another favorite is having breakfast for dinner, giving my make-ahead breakfast casserole time to shine.

A saucepan full of homemade Mac and cheese.
5 from 9 votes
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Homemade Stovetop Mac and Cheese

This easy mac and cheese recipe is made completely on the stovetop and without any odd ingredients. Have your side dish or main course on the table in under 30 minutes!
Prep Time10 minutes
Bake Time6 minutes
Total Time16 minutes
Recipe Author Lynn April
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoon (28g) unsalted butter
  • 2 Tablespoons (15g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (480mL) water
  • 4 cups (960mL) milk I prefer whole
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 pound (454g) elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 4 cups (452g) shredded cheddar cheese1

Instructions

  • In a large pot or deep saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, then whisk until combined.
  • Add the water and whisk mixture until smooth. Add the milk and whisk again until everything is combined.
  • Add the salt, garlic powder, and onion powder and whisk one more time until combined.
  • Add the uncooked macaroni elbows then increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Immediately turn down the heat and simmer2 the mixture while stirring constantly for 6 minutes, or until the noodles are at desired tenderness.
  • Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the shredded cheese until smooth. Serve immediately. Store leftovers covered tightly in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Mac and cheese freezes well, up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

Notes

  1. Shredded cheese: I highly recommend shredding cheese off the block for this mac and cheese recipe. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking additives on it that inhibit melting completely smooth. 
  2. Simmer: it’s imperative the heat isn’t too high so that the liquid evaporates too quickly. Adjust the temperature as needed. You can always remove some of the liquid after the noodles are completely cooked if you think it’s too wet. Keep in mind, though, that the noodles will absorb moisture as they sit. 
 
Did you make this recipe?Mention @freshaprilflours on Instagram or tag #freshaprilflours!

Nutrition Disclosure

All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 476mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 568IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 377mg | Iron: 1mg

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14 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Very good! I love mac and cheese and this was really good! My 3yr old loved it and eat a bowl super fast and asked for a second bowl.

  2. 5 stars
    Had this printed out to make someday and decided on a whim yesterday and whipped it up. It’s super easy, only had salted butter, tastes great, only had skim milk, tastes great. the hardest part is not burning the butter when you measure out the flour, next time…”mise en place”. I used a little bit of gruyere cheese just because I had some, only had Ziti noodles, tastes great. Make sure you boil for a bit so that the rue will thicken, mine looked a little runny so I kept the simmer on a bit longer, regardless of the time simmered check the noodles for doneness. The recipe is very forgiving so don’t think you have to rush any of the additions I added the cheese in batches and stirred in but could have dumped in all at once. Next time I’ll use sharp cheddar and fusilli – spiral noodles

  3. 5 stars
    This recipe was easy, delicious, and creamy. I happened to only have non dairy unflavored pea milk and it worked out great! My kids and the whole family loved it!

  4. 5 stars
    11/10 recommended this recipe! Added some paprika just because. It was so easy and quick, and we devoured it! Thank you!!

  5. 5 stars
    This is absolutely delicious! I had to use rotini because I didn’t have elbow noodles on hand, so I only cooked it a little longer but it still came out perfect! Thank you for raising the bar on my quick mac & cheese game.

  6. 5 stars
    G.O.A.T.
    This is the easiest and most delicious Mac n Cheese recipe ever! I can’t think of a more nostalgic food from my childhood. The way my mom makes Mac N Cheese has always been #1 and I’ve never found another like it. While the flavor is different, it is exceptional in its own way! What seals the deal for me is the method! Less mess and I think the result is more creamy. This is the real deal!! Wow!!!