Creamy Macaroni and Cheese-Stove Top
This creamy macaroni and cheese-stove top recipe is a timeless classic that’s comforting and made from scratch.
Move aside boxed mac and cheese, this homemade classic is taking over! It’s creamy, warm, and cheesy! This mac and cheese recipe is made with simple ingredients. It is easy to make and it’s the best comfort food out there.
Macaroni and cheese is the perfect side dish, main dish or comfort food. It is popular during the holidays like on Christmas or Thanksgiving.
I was inspired to make it homemade out of pure curiosity and I was mind blown by how much better it tasted from scratch. It is perfection in a bowl.
Ingredients
- Cheddar cheese- Shredded finely to melt perfectly into the sauce, it gives the classic cheese flavor to the mac and cheese
- Macaroni- A delicious elbow pasta that is coated in a creamy cheese sauce
- Un-salted butter- Adds richness to the sauce and is the foundation for making the cheese sauce as well
- All purpose flour- It thickens the roux
- Salt and pepper to taste- Enhances all the flavors of the ingredients
- Heavy cream- Adds a silky texture that makes this sauce ultra decadent
- Whole milk- Adds to the creaminess
- Garlic powder- Adds depth and flavor
- Dried parsley- Brightens up the dish
- Prepared mustard- Helps create a more flavorful sauce
- Franks hot sauce- Adds a gentle kick that compliments the richness of the cheese sauce
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make creamy macaroni and cheese-stove top
- Shred the cheese fine and set it aside.
2. Make roux while pasta cooks. Add butter to pot on medium heat and let it come to a boil.
3. Once butter starts to boil add in the flour and cook for 1 minute while whisking.
4. Slowly add in the milk and cream while whisking continuously.
5. Add in the spices, mustard and hot sauce then continue cooking until it thickens, continue whisking.
6. Once it comes to a boil again it is usually thickened enough. To check if its thickened enough, it will coat a spoon when dipped into the roux.
7. Remove the heat and stir in the cheese. Mix until melted and smooth.
8. This is what it looks like once the cheese is mixed in.
9. Pour it over the strained pasta.
10. Mix and serve.
What to serve with Mac and Cheese?
- Sloppy Joes
- Meatloaf
- Green salad
- Fried chicken or chicken fingers
- Pulled pork
- Hamburgers
- Coleslaw
- Broccoli
- Corn dogs
- BBQ meats
Variation
Once you mix the macaroni and cheese together, add in a pound of browned ground beef if you want.
Note:
The sauce does thicken slightly when serving.
Storage
Store the macaroni and cheese in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese- Stove Top
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded fine
- 8 oz macaroni
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup un-salted butter
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. dried parsley
- 2 tsp. prepared mustard
- 1 tsp. franks hot sauce
Instructions
- Shred cheese and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to the package instructions, strain when done. Do next step while it cooks.
- While pasta cooks make the cheese sauce.
- Add the milk and cream to a glass measuring cup for easy pouring and set aside.
- Measure flour and set aside.
- Add the butter to a medium pot on medium heat. Once the butter starts to boil add in the flour and cook for 1 minute while whisking the whole time.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and cream mixture while constantly mixing.
- Once its all added add in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, mustard and franks. Mix.
- Whisk until thickened, once it comes to a boil again it is usually thickened up. To see if its finished, dip a spoon into it and if it coats the spoon, its done.
- Once thickened, remove from the heat and stir in the cheese and mix until melted and smooth.
- Add sauce to the strained macaroni and mix.
- Serve. It will thicken up slightly as it starts to cool down.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with creamy mac and cheese recipe:
