Quick & Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Why you’ll love it

This creamy mac and cheese has a heavenly thick sauce. You can make it in the time it takes to boil the pasta, and it’s much tastier than boxed mac and uses everyday grocery store ingredients. It’s sure to be a hit on busy weeknights or when you’re craving comfort food! 

I did a few tests attempting to make this easy mac and cheese a one pot recipe, but I am much happier with this version where the pasta and sauce are cooked separately. This method is fast and reliable to get that perfect texture. The key to the creaminess of this recipe? Evaporated milk.

What you’ll need

• Macaroni – it’s a classic, but you can swap the elbow pasta for a different pasta shape if you wish
• Butter and flour – to make a quick roux
• Evaporated milk – it’s thicker and more concentrated than regular milk, and it makes for a smoother sauce without all the extra calories of cream
• Garlic powder and mustard powder – these seasonings are key to making an even richer base flavor for the sauce
• Cheddar cheese – use a good-quality sharp cheddar cheese. White cheddar would work as well. You could also try great melting cheeses such as Gruyère, Gouda, Colby, Monterey Jack, Muenster, or Fontina. If you like Velveeta, give that a try!
• Parmesan cheese – parm really elevates the sauce and makes it taste like a more luxurious grown-up mac and cheese! (don’t worry; the kids will love it too)

How to make stovetop mac and cheese

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

Boil a salted pot of water and cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in another pot, then stir in the flour and cook it for a few minutes until golden.

Slowly whisk in the evaporated milk, followed by the seasonings. The sauce will start to thicken up after a few minutes.

Take the pot off the heat and stir in the cheeses until melted. Drain the macaroni, add it to the pot with the cheesy sauce, and toss. Enjoy right away.

Substitutions and variations

• This recipe is yummy as-is, but you can try experimenting a bit and add a pinch of chili powder, onion powder, paprika, or nutmeg if you want some additional seasonings. 
• Stir in some Oven Cooked Bacon, broccoli, peas, caramelized onions, rotisserie/leftover chicken, ham, cut-up hot dogs, or even lobster! 
• To kick up the heat, add a few dashes of hot sauce to your bowl or use some sliced jalapeno peppers.