Macaroni and cheese is comfort food, pure comfort food! It's filling, It's warm and most of all - it's cheesy! Stovetop mac and cheese is a delicious homemade macaroni and cheese.
This delicious cheesy pasta can be made in just 20 minutes using penne pasta or elbow macaroni.
Why make this recipe
Macaroni and cheese is always a hit in our household with both the kids and adults and this mac and cheese is definitely one of our favorites. Making homemade mac and cheese isn't difficult and just takes a handful of ingredients.
This cheesy macaroni is made with pasta, cheddar cheese, milk, butter, flour, dry mustard, garlic powder and a touch of salt and pepper.
Now I'll be honest, we also eat plenty of the boxed mac and cheese and there's really nothing wrong with that! But sometimes we want things a bit cheesier and that's when I bust out my homemade version.
Variations on mac and cheese
Pasta
Use any type of dried pasta
- Elbow macaroni
- Rotini
- Penne
- Mini shells
Cheese
I typically use cheddar cheese, but sometimes I add a mixture to change up the taste. Just keep the portions the same and add your favorite variety.
- Cheddar
- Pepper Jack
- Monterey
- Colby
Optional Add ins
- Chopped ham
- Sliced sausages - smokies, hot dog, kielbasa
- Frozen peas
- Thinly slice sun dried tomatoes
- Cooked chicken breast
Step by step directions
- Boil pasta according to package directions.
- While pasta is boiling, melt butter in another sauce pan.
- Add flour and stir over low heat for about 2 minutes.
- Whisk in milk.
- Add dry mustard, garlic powder and salt and pepper.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching. The mixture will begin to thicken as it heats up.
- Once your mixture has thickened, remove from heat and slowly stir in cheese.
- Drain pasta and return to pan.
- Pour cheese mixture over top, stir and serve.
Tips for making macaroni and cheese
- Drain pasta completely. Water left on the pasta can make your sauce watery
- Turn off heat before adding cheese to help prevent your sauce from breaking
- Taste sauce before adding to pasta. Add more salt and pepper, if needed
- For best results, serve right away
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator. Reheat pasta in microwave or try it cold!
More great recipes for lunch
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Be certain to check out all my delicious pasta recipes!
Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta (penne or elbow)
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon white ground pepper (or black ground pepper)
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (about 2 cups)
Instructions
- Boil pasta according to package directions.1 pound pasta
- While pasta is boiling, melt butter in another sauce pan. Stir in flour and cook over low heat for 1-2 minutes.¼ cup butter, ¼ cup flour
- Whisk in milk. Add dry mustard, garlic powder and salt and pepper2 cups milk, ½ teaspoon dry mustard, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon white ground pepper
- Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching. The mixture will begin to thicken as it heats up. Do not bring to a boil.
- Once your mixture has thickened,, remove from heat and slowly add cheese while stirring.8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- Drain pasta and return to pan.
- Pour cheese mixture over top, stir and serve.
Notes
- Drain pasta completely. Water left on the pasta can make your sauce watery
- Turn off heat before adding cheese to help prevent your sauce from breaking
- Taste sauce before adding to pasta. Add more salt and pepper, if needed
- For best results, serve right away
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator. Reheat pasta in microwave or try it cold!
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in October 2015. The pictures, text and recipe have been updated.
Brie @ ToasterOvenLove says
I used to only eat the blue box until I had real homemade mac & cheese. Once you've had homemade you never go back 🙂 With such a simple and flavorful recipe like yours there's no reason not to make the real stuff!
Kathy says
I agree!
Kalee @ The Crowded Table says
Nothing is better than homemade mac & cheese. I love that your stove top version is so quick and easy!!! 🙂
Kathy says
Sometimes we need quick and easy!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Nothing can beat a cheesy, classic, creamy and comfy mac n cheese. This one looks super divine, Kathy.
Kathy says
There's something so wonderful about a cheesy dish!
Maya @ Treats and Eats says
Total comfort food! I love this Kathy- perfect for fall nights!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Mac and cheese is the best comfort food! Who needs the box stuff when you can have this amazing deliciousness!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
Love this recipe and my Hubby will too because mac-n-cheese is his favorite! He thanks you 🙂 Too funny about your kids. I don't have children but I cooked for four children when I was a private chef for a family a couple of years ago. I would spend all day cooking the meals from scratch and the kids couldn't have cared less. They just wanted food from a can or a box. LOL!
Kathy says
They always think the grass is greener on the other side....or the food tastier from a box!
Laura says
Kathy, this just looks awesome. That's all I can say! My kids won't touch boxed mac n cheese with a 10 foot pole. They just look at it like, ewwwww. They literally just stare at it, let it cold and leave it untouched. I only made it when I felt desperate. This recipe looks so much easier than the Fanny Farmer one I typically make. Thanks for sharing.
Kathy says
You've got smart kids! They've got a sophisticated palate!
David @ Spiced says
Oh my gosh, this is pretty much my definitely of the ultimate comfort food! I'm pretty sure I could go with a bowl of this for breakfast right now...looks awesome!!
Kathy says
Nothing wrong with having it for breakfast!
Michelle @ Unbound Wellness says
This looks beautiful! The pictures are just awesome! Mac n cheese always reminds me of Thanksgiving (because every holiday always had to include pasta for me growing up) and this gets me excited for Thanksgiving!!
Kathy says
Thanks, Michelle!
Marsha @ Marsha's Baking Addiction says
One of my favourite comfort meals is mac and cheese. This looks so delicious!
Kathy says
It's one of our favorites too!