Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (1) By Rosie
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Easy Creamy Cheesy Mac and Cheese!

Hey friends! Remember about a year ago, when I said that I was done uploading macaroni and cheese recipes? Well- I LIED! I was looking over my recipes, and I couldn’t believe that I have yet to share my Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese recipe! Like seriously, how did I miss this one?! Anyways, if you are a macaroni and cheese lover, you are going to love this recipe. It’s super creamy, cheesy, and it takes very little time to make- which is PERFECT for those busy weeknights! Let me tell you how I make it!

This mac and cheese recipe is simple. You don’t have to worrying about using a ton of ingredients, being in the kitchen too long, are using a ton of pots & pans. Everything is kept to a minimum, and the finished result is nothing short of amazing! By the way- this recipe is freezable. So feel free to make some for now, and later!

Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (4)

Creamy Stovetop Macaroni & Cheese

Mac & cheese is the ultimate comfort food! This recipe is creamy, extra-cheesy, and super easy to make. This might be your new favorite mac & cheese recipe!

Watch Video Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Macaroni & Cheese

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pour the cups of water and half & half into a large sauce pan, and bring it to a boil.

  • Add in the butterand pasta.

  • Reduce the heat to medium and cook until pasta starts to get tender.

  • Add in the Velveeta cheese and stir it in until all of the cheese melts.

  • Continue to cook until the cheese sauce thickens and the pasta is cooked.

  • Sprinkle in the cheddar cheese and fold it in.

  • Reduce the heat to low.

  • Taste, andadd salt & pepper if needed.

  • Serve, or freeze for a later date.

Video

If you loved this recipe, leave me a review below. This helps futurerecipe makers and ensures continued high-quality recipes for years to come!

©2024 I Heart Recipes

Recipe by: I Heart Recipes

Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (5)

MEET THE RECIPE AUTHOR

Rosie

I’m a Soul Food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing Southern cooking to gorgeous Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised in the PNW, but my family roots go all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my grandparents were born and raised. I live every day to bring the traditional values, recipes, and love of food to life for my family—whether they’re online or in real life. So, welcome to the party, family!

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Reader Interactions

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Comments

  1. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (11)LaTavia says

    Looks yummy and soooo creamy 😛 cant wait to try this…. my family loves mac and cheese any style. Thanks Rosie xoxoxo

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (12)Rosie says

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

      • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (13)Roxy says

        How many serving is this recipe for? Sorry for my bad English

        Reply

        • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (14)Rosie says

          Hi Roxy, at least 6.

          Reply

  2. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (15)Natalie Kenny says

    Thank you so much for this simple recipe. My children loved it!

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (16)Rosie says

      Awesome! I’m glad that you all liked the recipe. My son LOVES it too! XOXO

      Reply

  3. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (17)Alex says

    Just made it, it’s so good. I added onions and onion powder to mine , it’s so cheesy and good. Thanks for sharing !

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (18)Rosie says

      Thanks for giving my recipe a try Alex!

      Reply

  4. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (19)Jennifer says

    i have made these mac and cheese four time since you’ve postedd it. im a new cook with a family of four and my family loves it!! thanks

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (20)Rosie says

      I’m so glad that you all like my recipe!! Thanks for giving it a try Jennifer!

      Reply

  5. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (21)Sonya says

    Thanks for sharing……making this recipe again tonight. My grandkids loves it…fast, easy & delicious!!

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (22)Jessica says

      Ohhhh my, that mac-n-cheese was AMAZING. My family loved it, thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  6. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (23)Lynn says

    Hi, just happened onto your blog filled with great recipes! Love this easy Mac & cheese, but was wondering about reheating after freezing. What do you suggest for best results?
    Thanks in advance.

    Reply

  7. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (25)Ginny says

    Thanks so much for this recipe. I love that’s there’s no bechamel sauce to fuss with and that means no extra carb. Most of all, its not only stove top Mac and cheese, it’s a one pot recipe!

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (26)Rosie says

      Yes, and it’s very easy to whip up!

      Reply

  8. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (27)Alviseya says

    This looks so good. I am trying this recipe today!!

    Reply

  9. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (28)Emma says

    This is the best Mac and cheese recipe ever. Thank you so much!

    Reply

  10. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (29)Jen says

    I have made this recipe 3 times now and am currently making it. It is so easy and my two year old loves it! Thank you, I will be keeping this forever! ((:

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (30)Rosie says

      I’m glad that you and the baby like the recipe! XOXO

      Reply

  11. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (31)Tee says

    I made it once and haven’t stopped since I absolutely love it this way thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (32)Rosie says

      Thanks for giving it a try! XOXO

      Reply

  12. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (33)Keyona says

    Hey rosie oh my gosh , I can’t wait to make this . But what if I want to serve more people , would i just double everything ??? .

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (34)Rosie says

      Hi Keyona! Yes, just double it.

      Reply

  13. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (35)Mimi dewi says

    Hai rosie..I couldn’t find velvetta cheese here, is there any other options?

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (36)Rosie says

      Velvetta is best for this recipe, but I have other macaroni and cheese recipes that you can try 🙂

      Reply

  14. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (37)April says

    Made this yesterday my boyfriend & I LOVED it!!! It was SOOOOOO creamy…..

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (38)Rosie says

      Glad that you liked it!

      Reply

  15. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (39)Crissy Brown says

    So today I woke up craving Mac and cheese. Girl!!!! You provided me the BEST recipe for stovetop Mac and cheese. Thank you! I will be making it again!

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (40)Rosie says

      So glad that you liked it! XOXO

      Reply

  16. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (41)Stephanie says

    I’ve made countless Mac and cheese recipes for my daughter who is a very picky eater. This is a wonderful and easy recipe that everyone loves. Thank you for posting and saving me so much time!

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (42)Rosie says

      Hi Stephanie! Thank YOU for trying my recipe!

      Reply

  17. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (43)Roxy says

    How many serving is this recipe for? Sorry for my bad English

    Reply

  18. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (44)Young says

    Great recipe! Simple, easy, and delicious! My teenage sons asked me for “dad’s mac and cheese” tonight. I didn’t like the stovetop mac and cheese recipe I tried the last time and so searched for a new one and quickly found this one. Looking forward to trying other recipes.

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (45)Rosie says

      Glad that you found my recipe!

      Reply

  19. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (46)Jacquie says

    This recipe is amazing! Saving it for the archives! Can’t wait for everyone else to taste it for Thanksgiving tomorrow!

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (47)Rosie says

      Thanks for coming by!

      Reply

  20. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (48)Kay Pee says

    Can I use evaporated milk or regular milk instead of half & half? I don’t have any on hand

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (49)Rosie says

      Sure 🙂

      Reply

  21. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (50)Perla says

    pretty sure my fiancé loves me even more after making this lol. it’s so delicious! exactly what I’ve been looking for! this is now my go to mac and cheese!

    Reply

    • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (51)Rosie says

      LOL! Thanks for trying my recipe!

      Reply

  22. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (52)Alexis Jean Baptiste says

    Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (53)
    Okay Rosie, I gotta day: this MAC AND CHEESE IS AMAZING ❤️ Whenever I try other recipes, my Mac and cheese would come out grainy and pasty. Yours is the only stovetop mac and cheese I’ll make from now on!

    Reply

  23. Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (54)Michelle says

    Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (55)
    Dear Rosie,

    Your recipe is a game changer. We are so excited we found your site! My daughters (5, 3) and husband (49) are over the top with your stovetop mac n cheese. I usually boil and drain the macaroni, then start a roux, but clearly there’s a better way. Amazing recipe, so creamy, and lots of options.

    We will be trying your French toast and caramel cake recipes as well (and I’m sure others!). Thanks so much, Rosie.

    Michelle

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. […] I wanted some homestyle mac & cheese, so I made some homestyle mac & cheese. I used the Stove Top Macaroni & Cheese recipe for the mac & cheese itself from I Heart Recipes that I’ve used before and loved. […]

    Reply

Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How many cups of water do I need to boil macaroni and cheese? ›

Stove Top Instructions:

Boil 6 cups water. Stir in macaroni. Boil 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. DRAIN: Do not rinse.

What to add to mac and cheese to make it better? ›

Here are a few of my favorite ways to upgrade boxed mac and cheese in three ingredients or fewer:
  1. Broccoli + Shredded Chicken. ...
  2. Bacon + Peas + Egg. ...
  3. Garlic + Pickled Jalapeños. ...
  4. Mushrooms + Thyme + Grated Gruyère. ...
  5. Pesto + Sun-Dried Tomatoes. ...
  6. Kimchi + Bacon + Chopped Scallions. ...
  7. Cherry Tomatoes + Basil + Mozzarella.

Why is my stovetop mac and cheese gritty? ›

Why is my mac n cheese sauce grainy? The sauce can turn grainy if the cheese is added too quickly, the heat is too high, or if pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents is used. Melt cheese slowly over low heat and use freshly grated cheese.

Why is my mac and cheese not saucy enough? ›

Cut back on cream

A lot of heavy cream can create too thick of a sauce that doesn't contain enough water content to keep everything saucy. Make sure to use primarily whole milk for your cheese sauce, and if you do use cream, use it sparingly.

How long should you boil water for macaroni? ›

  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted (just a pinch) water to a vigorous boil (about 10-15 minutes to reach this point)
  2. Empty box of elbow macaroni into boiling water, stirring throughout until cooked through but firm to the bite (approximately 8-10 minutes)
  3. Drain the water from the cooked macaroni and put macaroni aside.

How long should macaroni boil for? ›

Cook the macaroni in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for 8-10 minutes; drain well and set aside.

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

Here's what several experts say are the biggest mistakes when it comes to making macaroni and cheese at home and how to avoid making them.
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt. ...
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. ...
  4. Overcooking. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

Is milk or water better for mac and cheese? ›

Cooking macaroni in a small volume of water concentrates the starch from the pasta, helping the cheese form a creamy emulsion. Similar recipes call for cooking pasta in milk, which can scorch.

What is the most perfect cheese to use on Mac & cheese? ›

Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste bland? ›

If your mac and cheese tastes bland, it's either because it's under-seasoned, you didn't use flavorful cheese, or you didn't use enough cheese. Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it.

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? Yes, adding more cheese than a recipe calls for will not improve the dish. Too much cheese will result in a dish that is heavy and greasy.

Why does my mac and cheese look like scrambled eggs? ›

We are not sure at what point the sauce became scrambled, but it would be due to the eggs being heated too much. We suspect that it may have happened when the sauce was mixed with the drained cooked pasta. The sauce and pasta should be mixed in the pasta pan, but should not be over a heat source.

Do I need a roux for mac and cheese? ›

You don't have to make a roux for mac and cheese.

How to make mac and cheese creamy again? ›

The #1 secret to creamy reheated mac and cheese

"Stir in about 2 Tbs. of milk per 1 cup of mac and cheese and reheat," he says. The milk loosens up the pasta and helps create the creamy sauce as it's reheating. Heavy cream works well in this case too and adds an extra touch of richness to the mac and cheese.

How much water is needed to cook macaroni? ›

Use a large, high sided saucepan and add at least 500ml, or up to 1 litre of water per 100g dried pasta (depending on the capacity of your pan). Make sure there's still enough room at the top because you don't want the water to bubble up and overflow. Bring the pan of water to the boil then add your pasta.

How much water do you need for macaroni? ›

The standard method for cooking pasta, found in Italian cookbooks and on pasta packages, is to heat to a rolling boil 4 to 6 quarts of well-salted water per pound of pasta.

How much water do I need to boil 8 oz of macaroni? ›

Ingredients
  1. 2 quarts water.
  2. 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni.
Jun 27, 2023

How much water do I need to boil pasta in cups? ›

For types that aren't long like spaghetti, two cups of water should do. For longer types, four cups of water should be enough, though I've done Asian-style noodles with two cups using a frying pan (it's wide enough to let me see what I'm doing when boiling the noodles).

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