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close-up of creamy stovetop mac and cheese in a white bowl
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4.94 from 15 votes

Quick & Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

This easy homemade stovetop mac and cheese recipe is super creamy, rich, and delicious. It's quick and simple to make in about 30 minutes!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: stove top mac and cheese, stovetop mac and cheese recipe
Servings: 8
Author: Natasha Bull

Ingredients

  • 1 pound uncooked macaroni
  • 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 (12 ounce) cans evaporated milk see note
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups freshly grated cheddar
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Boil a large salted pot of water for the macaroni, and cook it al dente according to package instructions.
  • Meanwhile, in another pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook it, stirring often, until golden (about 3-5 minutes).
  • Slowly whisk in the evaporated milk, then whisk in the seasonings. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce starts to thicken up (this happens quite fast, so be careful not to let it get too thick).
  • Take the pot off the heat and stir in the cheeses.
  • Stir in the drained macaroni and toss to coat in the cheese sauce. Add pepper to taste (and more salt if needed). It's best enjoyed immediately.

Notes

  • Use regular/full fat evaporated milk for best results (not low fat). Evaporated milk is typically found in the baking aisle of grocery stores. Be sure to not mix it up with sweetened condensed milk. You can use whole milk or half-and-half instead if you need to, but results may vary. With milk, the texture may not be quite as smooth/creamy.
  • I highly recommend grating your own cheeses! They will taste and melt much better than the bagged kind.
  • Serves up to 8 depending on portion size/if it's served as a main course or side dish.
  • This recipe can also be found in the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials cookbook.

Nutrition

Calories: 532kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 561mg | Potassium: 429mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 718IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 510mg | Iron: 1mg
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