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Home » Pasta » Stove Top Mac and Cheese

Published: Sep 10, 2020 · Modified: May 12, 2021 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Stove Top Mac and Cheese

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A small bowl filled with pasta covered with cheese sauce.

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.

Stove top mac and cheese in a small white bowl.
Table of Contents
Why make this recipe
Variations on mac and cheese
Step by step directions
Tips for making macaroni and cheese
More great recipes for lunch
Stovetop Mac and Cheese

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.

Pasta, cheese, butter, milk and seasonings displayed on a wooden board.

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
A pile of shredded cheddar cheese on a wooden board.

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.
  • A roux in a sauce pan with a wooden spoon.
  • A thick sauce in a sauce pan with a whisk.
  • Shredded cheese being sprinkled into a sauce.
  • A creamy cheese sauce dripping off a wooden spoon.
  • Macaroni and cheese in a sauce pot with a wooden spoon.

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!
A small white bowl filled with dry mustard and other seasonings.

More great recipes for lunch

  • Turkey Wraps
  • Egg Salad Sandwiches
  • Orzo Pasta Salad
  • Grilled Cheese with Pesto

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!

  • Garlic Butter Pasta
  • Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Smoked Salmon Pasta
  • Ham and Pea Pasta
Stove top mac and cheese in a small white bowl.

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Kathy
Creamy macaroni and cheese made on the stove top.
5 from 18 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 484 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Grater
Prevent your screen from going dark

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 pepper
    2 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

Tips for making mac 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!
 
Nutritional count is figured for a serving size of approximately 1 ½ cups. 

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

Calories: 484kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 22gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 435mgPotassium: 301mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 446IUCalcium: 267mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Macaroni and Cheese, Pasta with Cheese SAuce, Stove Top Mac and Cheese
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

This post was originally published in October 2015. The pictures, text and recipe have been updated.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brie @ ToasterOvenLove says

    October 18, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 19, 2015 at 4:45 am

      I agree!

      Reply
  2. Kalee @ The Crowded Table says

    October 06, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    Nothing is better than homemade mac & cheese. I love that your stove top version is so quick and easy!!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 07, 2015 at 5:03 am

      Sometimes we need quick and easy!

      Reply
  3. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    October 06, 2015 at 9:45 am

    Nothing can beat a cheesy, classic, creamy and comfy mac n cheese. This one looks super divine, Kathy.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 07, 2015 at 5:04 am

      There's something so wonderful about a cheesy dish!

      Reply
  4. Maya @ Treats and Eats says

    October 05, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    Total comfort food! I love this Kathy- perfect for fall nights!

    Reply
  5. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says

    October 05, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    Mac and cheese is the best comfort food! Who needs the box stuff when you can have this amazing deliciousness!

    Reply
  6. karrie @ Tasty Ever After says

    October 05, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 07, 2015 at 5:09 am

      They always think the grass is greener on the other side....or the food tastier from a box!

      Reply
  7. Laura says

    October 05, 2015 at 6:10 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 05, 2015 at 5:42 pm

      You've got smart kids! They've got a sophisticated palate!

      Reply
  8. David @ Spiced says

    October 05, 2015 at 6:03 am

    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!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 05, 2015 at 5:42 pm

      Nothing wrong with having it for breakfast!

      Reply
  9. Michelle @ Unbound Wellness says

    October 03, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    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!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 04, 2015 at 4:52 am

      Thanks, Michelle!

      Reply
  10. Marsha @ Marsha's Baking Addiction says

    October 03, 2015 at 11:47 am

    One of my favourite comfort meals is mac and cheese. This looks so delicious!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 04, 2015 at 4:53 am

      It's one of our favorites too!

      Reply
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I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics.

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