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Easy Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese

Easy Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese
 

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Let me start by saying this is my all-time favorite stove top macaroni and cheese recipe. We make it about twice a month and it makes enough for two nights with our family of 3.

I always dreamed about creating a homemade stove top macaroni and cheese recipe my entire family loves. My 2-year-old eats every single noodle on her plate and my husband always goes back for seconds. When that happens, I call that a win in my book!

This recipe was inspired by Mom’s Macaroni and Cheese recipe, but we didn’t want to use Velveeta cheese. We turned this dish into a healthier-ish version opting out of the Velveeta and keeping it a stovetop variety.

I love to make this recipe to use up the extra shredded cheddar cheese we have to avoid throwing it out. That is just one of my tips of overlapping ingredients in my 30 Minute Meal Planning for the Busy Mama post.

 

Quick and simple creamy homemade stovetop macaroni and cheese. An easy dinner for the kids with cheddar cheese and no Velveeta. The best recipe for busy moms for a weeknight meal! #macandcheese #macaroniandcheese #dinnerideas #quickrecipe #easydinnerrecipes

 

Start by boiling a pot of water and cook pasta until al dente. We like to use wagon wheel pasta (rotelle), but any pasta that will allow the cheese to cling to it will work (think shells, elbow, etc.). Strain the pasta.

You can either do this next part while you’re making the pasta or while it’s draining. I personally love to do it while the pasta is sitting in the colander. Fewer dishes and only takes about 7 minutes more.

Even doing them one after another, dinner will still be on the table within 25 minutes. If you don’t mind the extra pot being used or are in a rush, go right ahead and do everything at the same time.

Melt the butter in the pot on med/low heat. Add flour and mix. Stir in salt and pepper until combined to make a roux. A roux is basically a thickening agent to help make a sauce.

 

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Increase to medium heat. Gradually add in 1 1/2 cups milk. I will usually add half of the milk, mix it, then add the rest and mix it again.

 

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Cook until the sauce starts to thicken, usually 3-4 minutes. The first time I made this recipe I was amazed at how it already looked like a creamy cheese without any actual cheese in it yet! Once thickened, remove from heat and add in cheddar cheese. Stir until melted.

 

The best homemade creamy stove top macaroni and cheese recipe. Perfect dish for family dinners, holiday dinners, and toddler food approved! #recipe #family #dinner | easy dinner recipes for family | quick and easy dinner recipes | delicious dinner recipes | recipes for dinner

The best homemade creamy stove top macaroni and cheese recipe. Perfect dish for family dinners, holiday dinners, and toddler food approved! #recipe #family #dinner | easy dinner recipes for family | quick and easy dinner recipes | delicious dinner recipes | recipes for dinner

 

Pour in pasta and mix well to combine. Serve immediately. I enjoy pairing this stove top macaroni and cheese with a healthy side like Air Fried Roasted Carrots and some dinner rolls. Doesn’t that look delicious?

 

Quick and simple creamy homemade stovetop macaroni and cheese. An easy dinner for the kids with cheddar cheese and no Velveeta. The best recipe for busy moms for a weeknight meal! #macandcheese #macaroniandcheese #dinnerideas #quickrecipe #easydinnerrecipes

 

Easy Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese

Easy Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese

Yield: 4 servings
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

An easy creamy stove top macaroni and cheese your whole family will love!

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces pasta (such as wagon wheels, shells, elbows, etc.)
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 3 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Boil a pot of water and cook pasta per directions on box until al dente. Strain pasta.
  2. Melt butter in pan on med/low heat. Add in flour and mix. Stir is salt and pepper until combined to make a roux.
  3. Increase to medium heat. Gradually add in 1 1/2 cups milk.
  4. Cook until the sauce starts to thicken, usually 3-4 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and add in cheddar cheese. Stir until melted.
  6. Pour in pasta and mix well to combine.
  7. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 534Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 635mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 4gSugar: 1gProtein: 20g

The best homemade creamy stove top macaroni and cheese recipe. Perfect dish for family dinners, holiday dinners, and toddler food approved! #recipe #family #dinner | easy dinner recipes for family | quick and easy dinner recipes | delicious dinner recipes | recipes for dinner

 

 

Easy Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese

Easy Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese

Yield: 4 servings
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

An easy creamy stove top macaroni and cheese your whole family will love!

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces pasta (such as wagon wheels, shells, elbows, etc.)
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 3 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Boil a pot of water and cook pasta per directions on box until al dente. Strain pasta.
  2. Melt butter in pan on med/low heat. Add in flour and mix. Stir is salt and pepper until combined to make a roux.
  3. Increase to medium heat. Gradually add in 1 1/2 cups milk.
  4. Cook until the sauce starts to thicken, usually 3-4 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and add in cheddar cheese. Stir until melted.
  6. Pour in pasta and mix well to combine.
  7. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 534Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 635mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 4gSugar: 1gProtein: 20g

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Mandy

Monday 31st of October 2022

Soooo good! Love this recipe and it was a huge hit! Only thing I did different was add a pinch of onion and garlic powder and a pinch of spice. Really popped the flavour!

Heather

Monday 15th of April 2019

Hi Samantha!

I LOVE your blog! I find it super helpful and encouraging!

I wanted to let you know that because I love Journey To SAHM so much, I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award!

I think this is a great way to recognize fellow bloggers. If you would like to read some questions with my answers and participate by nominating other bloggers and answering a few fun questions.

Have a wonderful day! Heather

Samara

Thursday 14th of June 2018

This looks delicious Samantha, thanks for sharing! I have tried several mac and cheese recipes and for some reason my kids don't like any of them! So frustrating : ) Can't wait to try yours, it looks delish!

Samantha

Thursday 14th of June 2018

I hope they like this one! Sometimes the homemade ones can be dry or not cheesy enough.

Nikki

Thursday 14th of June 2018

I love mac n cheese but I always bought the one in a box. Glad I found a recipe where it's homemade.

Grandi | My Aggrandized Life

Wednesday 13th of June 2018

We love mac n cheese. We always mix something in it for variety - my kids love the cheeseburger mac n cheese and we have also done it with scallops -so good!

Samantha

Thursday 14th of June 2018

I love that idea! We keep ours vegetarian for me, but I love the different varieties! I might try it with some vegan ground beef.

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