Mac and Cheese

Published October 24, 2018. Updated April 15, 2020

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Mac and Cheese made from scratch is a million times better than a box. This macaroni and cheese is perfectly rich and creamy and it’s sure to be loved by people of all ages!

stovetop Mac and Cheese in bowl with fork

Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe

Mac and cheese is just one of those staple recipes we all grew up eating. This version skips a powder and instead uses real shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese for a rich and satisfying flavor.

It’s total comfort food and it pairs well with just about anything. It’s easy enough for weekday dinners but good enough to serve at holiday get togethers.

This easy homemade mac and cheese is made on the stovetop and uses basic everyday ingredients. As much as I love creamy mac and cheese that’s been baked in the oven, this stovetop version is more practical for everyday cooking and is just as delicious!

Mac and Cheese Video

 

Here’s my go-to mac recipe.

homemade mac and cheese in saucepan Homemade Mac and Cheese Ingredients

As promised, this stovetop mac and cheese recipe is super simple to make. Here’s what you’ll need to make the silky smooth mac and cheese sauce and pasta:

  • Elbow macaroni
  • Salt
  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Low-fat milk
  • Dry mustard
  • Garlic powder
  • Cream cheese
  • Sharp cheddar cheese
  • Mozzarella cheese

Stovetop Mac and Cheese ingredients elbows milk flour cream cheese cheddar mozzarella butter mustard garlic

How to Make Mac and Cheese

  • Cook pasta: bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, boil pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain pasta and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  • Make a roux: while pasta is cooking, in a large saucepan (4 quart) or medium pot melt butter over medium heat then add flour, cook 1 minute whisking constantly.

making roux in saucepan with butter and flour

  • Make the mac and cheese sauce: While whisking slowly pour in milk, add in mustard and garlic powder. Increase heat slightly, then bring mixture to a low boil whisking constantly.

adding milk to mixture in saucepan

  • Melt in cream cheese: Reduce heat to low add in cream cheese and whisk until melted.
  • Melt in cheddar: Remove saucepan from heat add in the shredded cheeses half at a time, and whisk to melt.

whisking together a mac and cheese sauce

  • Returning pan to warm heat as needed to melt fully.
  • Season sauce with salt to taste.

mac and cheese sauce in saucepan

  • Toss pasta with cheese sauce, thin with pasta water a splash at a time as needed. Serve immediately.

Tossing cooked pasta with mac and cheese sauce in pot.

What’s the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese?

Use a blend of cheeses for a nice combination of flavor. Here we go with cheddar, mozzarella and cream cheese.

How to Reheat Mac and Cheese

If you wind up with leftovers of this homemade mac and cheese, I recommend reheating them in a saucepan over low heat. You may need to add a splash of milk to thin out the mac and cheese sauce and prevent the pasta from drying out.

What to Serve with Mac and Cheese

I’ll admit, sometimes this simple mac and cheese recipe gets served by itself when I’m short on time. But I prefer serving it as a side to one of the following main dishes:

Macaroni and cheese in a large pot

Tips for the Best Mac and Cheese

  • Don’t use pre-shredded cheese or the sauce might end up grainy and gritty. Shred it yourself for a nice smooth sauce.
  • If you don’t have mustard powder, substitute 1 tsp prepared mustard (regular or dijon).
  • Don’t rinse the pasta. It adds starches and helps thicken up the sauce and keeps the sauce clinging to the pasta.
  • Want a crunchy topping? Try sautéing panko bread crumbs in a skillet in a little melted butter or olive oil until golden brown. Sprinkle over individual servings so it stays crisp.

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Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
4.91 from 42 votes

Mac and Cheese

A rich and creamy mac and cheese the people of all ages will love! Includes three kinds of cheese - cheddar, mozzarella and cream cheese. Made on the stovetop for a quick and easy side dish. Makes about 9 1-cup servings.
Servings: 9
Prep10 minutes
Cook15 minutes
Ready in: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 14 oz. dry elbow macaroni
  • Salt
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp butter
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp flour
  • 2 1/3 cups low-fat milk
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard, or more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, diced into small pieces
  • 8 oz. extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • Reserved pasta water

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, boil pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain pasta and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  • While pasta is cooking, in a large saucepan (4 quart) or medium pot melt butter over medium heat then add flour, cook 1 minute whisking constantly.
  • While whisking slowly pour in milk, add in mustard and garlic powder. Increase heat slightly, then bring mixture to a gentle simmer whisking constantly.
  • Reduce heat to low add in cream cheese and whisk until melted.
  • Remove saucepan from heat add in the shredded cheeses half at a time, and whisk to melt, while returning to warm heat as needed to melt fully.
  • Season sauce with salt to taste.
  • Toss pasta with cheese sauce, thin with pasta water a splash at a time as needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Don't use pre-shredded cheese or the sauce might end up grainy and gritty. Shred it yourself for a nice smooth sauce.
  • If you don't have mustard powder, substitute 1 tsp prepared mustard (regular or dijon).
  • Don't rinse the pasta. It adds starches and helps thicken up the sauce and keeps the sauce clinging to the pasta.
  • Want a crunchy topping? Try sautéing panko bread crumbs in a skillet in a little melted butter or olive oil until golden brown. Sprinkle over individual servings so it stays crisp.
Nutrition Facts
Mac and Cheese
Amount Per Serving
Calories 427 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Cholesterol 67mg22%
Sodium 346mg15%
Potassium 235mg7%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 705IU14%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 342mg34%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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121 Comments

  • Lisa Giammusso

    My family loved it very delicious nice to have see it a different way.

  • Don Jones

    The family loved this, wife says it’s the best she’s ever eaten. Made a few modifications, by accident and out of necessity. Used a whole stick of butter (accidentally), whole milk, garden vegetable cream cheese, all sharp cheddar and a little grated Parmesan (by necessity). Turned out to be a new favorite!

  • Maria

    These look absolutely delicious! You have amazing food photography too :] Thank You So Much for this awesome sharing!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Yes definitely I always save any little bit left and reheat in the micro :).

  • KayKru

    Thank you! This is a tasty, easy recipe. We enjoyed it. I used what I had, so there was more mozzarella and less cheddar than called for, resulting in a less tangy, more gooey dish. Comfort food just the same. I think some chopped jalapenos would add a nice kick, plus a bread crumb topping and 10 min. in the oven would give that nice crunch on top to make this really perfect.

  • JennyV

    I made this, and like most other Mac and cheese recipes w flour, mine came out a tad grainy. I def cooked the flour & butter mixture long enough – what else could have gone wrong?!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Are you slowly pouring the milk into the roux (butter/flour mixture)? If it’s added too quickly it can end up a bit grainy, or that can happen if it’s cooked too hot (let it just thicken and simmer not a full boil). You can also let it cool slightly before adding the cheese and that may help.

    • J.P. Mendoza

      If you add too much cheese at once, it separates and doesn’t combine. Slowly add the cheese as you’re whisking.

  • vivian

    Delicious mac and cheese. Not too dry, not too soupy. Just right. Thanks for a great recipe!

  • Jay Bhavani Caterers

    Your Macaroni and Cheese Recipe is very yummy! this recipe is very easy and tasty i loved it. We are add this recipe in our menu. Thanks for sharing the recipe