Homemade Mac and Cheese Creamy Stovetop Recipe Easy Comfort Food
A quick and creamy stovetop mac and cheese recipe that delivers rich, cheesy comfort food in about 25 minutes without baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook for 8–10 minutes until just al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside. Do not rinse.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until it forms a smooth paste. Continue whisking for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Keep whisking as the sauce thickens and bubbles until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove the pan from heat. Stir in the cream cheese until smooth, then add the shredded sharp cheddar a handful at a time, whisking after each addition. Add Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add the drained pasta back into the sauce and stir gently to coat every noodle. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Salt pasta water generously for best flavor. Add cheese off heat to avoid grainy sauce. Use freshly shredded cheese for smooth texture. Save a splash of pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 20
Keywords: mac and cheese, stovetop mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, quick mac and cheese