This Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese is an easy 30-minute meal that your family will always agree on! It’s the BEST dinner recipe for a busy week and it’s easy to customize with different cheeses and add-ons.  

 Be sure to try my Chicken Mac and Cheese  and Bacon Mac and Cheese recipes next!

A white plate with creamy stovetop mac and cheese.

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

It is really nice to have a few 30 minute meals that you can fall back on during a busy week, and this is definitely one of those recipes. It’s picky eater approved, takes no more then 30 minutes to make, and you can jazz it up all you want (more ideas on that below)!

The consistency of the cheese sauce is perfectly thick and creamy, (but not too thick). It’s just right. The flavors are enhanced with a touch of mustard powder and hot sauce, which you can’t taste at all in the recipe. (I promise).

Feel free to use a variety of different kinds of cheese for this recipe. Cheddar,  Monterey Jack, Gouda, and Gruyere are all great options! 

How to Make It

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Boil macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Melt butter over medium heat and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the heavy cream/milk in splashes, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Add hot sauce and seasonings. 

Making a roux and adding milk and seasonings for mac and cheese.

Reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese. 

Adding cheese and stirring it into sauce for stovetop mac and cheese.

Add the drained macaroni and stir to combine. Serve! 

Macaroni being added and stirred into cheese sauce.

What to Add to Mac and Cheese

  • Pasta Options: Medium Shells, Cavatappi, Rotini, Fusilli/Bow Tie Pasta may also be used, just note that the cooking times may vary slightly.
  • Cheeses: A combination of  Smoked Gouda, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, and Mozzarella may also be used. Note that extra sharp cheddar or aged cheeses won’t melt as well.
  • Meats: Cooked Chicken, Ham, Pulled Pork, Bacon, Buffalo Chicken, Sausage, Kielbasa, and Hot Dogs.
  • Vegetables: Corn, Peas, Mushrooms, Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions, Green Onions.

Pro Tips

A dutch oven filled with creamy stovetop mac and cheese with a wooden spoon.

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Leftovers reheat pretty well. I use the ‘melt’ setting on my microwave or you can reheat over 50% power. A makeshift double boiler reheats creamy pastas really well too!

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A plate topped with Creamy Mac and Cheese.

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

4.98 from 48 ratings
This Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese is the BEST 30-minute meal for a busy week. Your family will love it every time!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups macaroni, uncooked. (equal to 1/2 lb.)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon each: salt/pepper
  • ½ teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

  • Pro tip: Shred the cheese from a block. It will melt and taste much better than packaged shredded cheese. See notes for brand of cheese that I use.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the macaroni. Bring back up to a boil and cook according to package instructions. Set a timer to avoid overcooking. Drain once cooked.
  • While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Use a silicone spatula to stir in the flour. Continue to stir for 1-2 minutes. Add the heavy cream/milk in splashes, stirring continuously. (If you add it too quickly you’ll “break” the roux and the sauce will be thin.)
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add the seasonings and hot sauce. Reduce heat to low.
  • Gradually sprinkle in the shredded cheese. Stir continuously until smooth and combined. Add the drained macaroni and stir to combine. Serve!

Notes

Pro Tips:

Storage
  • Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Leftovers reheat pretty well. I use the ‘melt’ setting on my microwave or you can reheat over 50% power. A makeshift double boiler reheats creamy pastas really well too!

Nutritional information is an estimate and is per serving. There are 4 servings in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 571kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 106mg, Sodium: 513mg, Potassium: 271mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1137IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 408mg, Iron: 1mg
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