Super easy, this creamy stovetop mac and cheese comes together in minutes and makes for a delicious main dish or side with dinner. Forget the boxed stuff and make your own macaroni and cheese recipe from scratch!
How’s the year treating you so far? Sticking with those goals? I’ve been continuing to read more, though not as much as I’d like. I’ve been so dang tired. I blame it on the weather. Cold, dark days never gets my motor running.
You know what does though? Cheese, specifically this creamy stovetop mac and cheese recipe!
I’m pretty much obsessed with cheese. I could never give it up, just like:
- Swearing on occasion
- Wine on Friday after work
- Good chocolate
- Popcorn popped on the stove
- Real butter
- Cream
- Did I mention cheese?
I was super happy to come across a truffle cheddar from the UK the other day. It’s funky, but not too funky, and really adds something special to this easy stovetop mac and cheese recipe.
Kinda takes it to another level and makes it extra special. How lovely would this be for date night with some vino? Pretty spot on, if you ask me!
Fan of macaroni pasta? Check out this cheeseburger macaroni recipe!
What’s the Best Cheese To Use?
I always love to use cheddar for mac and cheese (and in this case I used a delicious truffle cheddar).
Don’t like truffle cheddar or don’t have on hand? No worries! Use your favourite sharp cheddar. Alternatively, you can use another good melting cheese, like provolone, mozzarella, Gouda or Gruyère (or a combination of your favourites).
Tips for Making This Recipe
- The sauce thickens best (quickest) when the milk is not super cold from the fridge. Let it sit on the counter for a few minutes or warm a little in a saucepan.
- Slowly add the milk to the roux, giving it a chance to thicken. Don’t add all the milk the one time.
- Add the shredded cheese in batches, stirring each batch in until dissolved. Don’t boil or overcook cheese. As soon as the mixture is smooth, mix with cooked pasta.
- Enjoy right away! That’s when it’s the creamiest!
Recipe Variations
- Use a teaspoon or so of onion powder instead of shallot (simply stir in with the milk).
- Use ½ teaspoon or so of garlic powder instead of garlic.
- Try regular sharp cheddar instead of truffle cheddar.
- Delicious spice add-ins are mustard powder, cayenne pepper powder or smoked paprika.
- I garnished with a little parsley for a pop of colour. However, chives would work lovely too.
- Want to make this even more substantial? Add in some crisped pancetta, bacon or prosciutto.
- Mix it up! Try another variety of small pasta, like penne or rotini.
Leftovers and Reheating
This creamy stovetop mac and cheese is best enjoyed freshly made. However, leftovers can be properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoyed within 3 to 4 days. It reheats like a dream!! Of course, the mac will solidify as it cools (because of the cheese in there) but will loosen up once reheated. Trust the process.
To reheat, simply add the mac and cheese (along with a little broth or milk) to a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
The amount of liquid you add will vary depending on how much leftovers you are reheating.
I always find it’s better to add a little liquid at a time (start with about ¼ cup and add more as needed) until the pasta is creamy and heated through.
You don’t want to add too much so that it’s a liquid mess and the cheesy creaminess is gone.
Stir regularly until it’s heated through.
More Easy Comfort Food Recipes
If you make this creamy stovetop mac and cheese recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried macaroni pasta (elbow macaroni)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot, peeled and minced (or ¼ cup minced white or yellow onion)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes for easier melting
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup whipping cream (35% milk fat), or whole milk
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces shredded truffle cheddar or regular cheddar, about 2 cups
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1.5 cups of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the shallot has softened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add butter to saucepan. Once butter has melted, stir in flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
- Mix milk with the whipping cream and slowly stir into butter/flour mixture (about ½ cup at a time). Cook until thickened slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in salt and black pepper.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar cheese. Add cheese in batches, stirring until each batch is incorporated before adding more.
- Next, stir in cooked pasta. This mac and cheese is rich and thick. If you need to loosen or thin things, add some reserved pasta water, about a couple of tablespoons at a time until you've reached your desired consistency (you will likely not use all of the reserved water). Serve and enjoy, that's when it's the creamiest.Note: I like to add a little more cracked black pepper on top of my mac, but that's optional.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Dana says
OMG this looks so amazing and creamy! I love homemade mac and cheese but haven’t made it in eons. And I’ve only baked it before…I love the idea of homemade stove top mac and cheese. Simply Brilliant! This sounds incredible and you now have me craving mac and cheese like crazy right now haha Maybe I’ll make it for breakfast tomorrow 😀 . I’m a cheese fanatic too, and the more the merrier. YUM!
Girl Heart Food says
I wouldn’t mind having this for breakfast 😉 Good idea, if you ask me! Thanks so much, Dana!
Ben Myhre says
Oh, this mac and cheese looks absolutely divine. I love your ingredients and this is totally my kind of dish.
Girl Heart Food says
Thanks a bunch, Ben! Appreciate the kind comment 🙂
Marissa says
I relate to your whole list of ‘vices’…check…check…check…. 😉
And this mac and cheese…oh my! So creamy and delicious!!
Girl Heart Food says
Lol! Happy to hear that 😉 Thank you Marissa!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I’m all about homemade mac n cheese! And the cheesier the better!!! Your version looks so yummy and cheesy. I have never put my mac and cheese in the freezer. Glad to know the next time I have leftovers, I can pop it in small portions into the freezer and then pull out for lunch!
Girl Heart Food says
Totally! Thank you Kathy! It’s quite convenient 🙂
Valentina says
If I could place an order for this right now I would. I live in LA where it’s sunny most of the time, and beautiful. This week however, has been one of our coldest ever! I’m dusting off jackets, and living in my UGG boots. So this is exactly the type of recipe I need to warm up. Right now! I love cheddar too, and Gruyere is right up there along with it.
Girl Heart Food says
Woo hoo! Thank you so much Valentina! Wish I could virtually hand ya a bowl! Gruyere is pretty wonderful too! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend 🙂 Stay warm.
Kevin says
Melt in you mouth goodness, the photos make me want to dive right into this creamy, cheesy, ‘stick to the ribs’ ultimate comfort food! yes!
Girl Heart Food says
Yay! Thank you Kevin!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
This looks so rich and creamy! I used to make mac and cheese all the time for my hubby, but haven’t in ages! This stove top version will have to go on the list. I’m sure he will love it. And truffle cheddar sounds fantastic. I’ve never heard of it but now I’m so curious! Happy weekend Dawn!
Girl Heart Food says
So yummy! Hope you get a chance to try soon 🙂 Thanks Leanne!
Haylie Abele says
I’ve never had truffle cheddar but GOODNESS! NOW I NEED SOME! Lol. But really, this looks so extra creamy! I love stovetop mac and cheese – so easy and always a million times better than the boxed stuff!
Girl Heart Food says
Right?! Thank you Haylie! Happy weekend to ya!
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Dawn, this mac and cheese looks so dreamy! It’s so creamy! And that truffle cheddar sounds amazing! Winter is such a lovely time to enjoy a big bowl of mac and cheese – the ultimate comfort food. The bleakness and cold make the indoors all the more cozy and inviting. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
Girl Heart Food says
Totally! Thank you Kelly! Hope you’re having a lovely weekend 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
Dawn, we have a lot of the same vices! Cheese is definitely up there, too. This looks SOOO creamy and delicious, and couldn’t have come at a better time! It’s so cold, all I want is the cozy stuff. I just know the whole family would love this too!!
Girl Heart Food says
Woo hoo! Thank you Katherine! Happy to hear that 🙂
Stephanie says
This looks so yummy and I’m basically cheese obsessed as well.. never without some. And this mac and cheese looks so creamy. Need to try it with truffle cheese.
Girl Heart Food says
Hope you love it! Thank you Stephanie 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Truffle cheddar?! Yes, yes, yes! This needs to happen ASAP at our house! Pinned and can’t wait to try Dawn. Happy weekend!
Girl Heart Food says
Woo hoo! Thanks Mary Ann! Same to you 🙂
annie@ciaochowbambina says
I guess we’re both feeling the pasta this week! 😉 This looks so yummy and decadent! And I’m with you – give me all the cheese! Is there any better snack than popcorn popped on the stove with melted butter and salt? Oh – now I need some!! Have a great weekend, dear! PS) I’m on Episode 6 of G & F….so good!!!! XOXO
Girl Heart Food says
Definitely 😉 Making me crave some now too! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend…and happy you’re enjoying the show too 🙂 XOXO
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
You have me craving mac and cheese like nothing else right now. It wouldn’t be weird to make this for breakfast would it? I NEED this in my life! Have a great weekend, Dawn! (Oh, and popcorn made on the stove? Totally necessary!)
Girl Heart Food says
Lol! I hear ya! I think it would too 😉 Thanks Kelsie!!
David @ Spiced says
Cheese totally gets my motor running, too, Dawn! We always keep a drawer full of delicious cheeses in our house. I’ve had truffle cheese before, and it’s one of those things that’s odd at first…but then leaves you wanting more. And more. And more. What a fun idea to use truffle cheese in a mac and cheese recipe! I’m pretty sure I could stick my face into this pot and be a happy camper right about now. 🙂
Girl Heart Food says
Right?! Thanks so much David! Happy Sunday 🙂