Description
Stovetop mac and cheese delivers comfort right to your dinner table in minutes, blending sharp cheddar and creamy goodness for a seriously satisfying meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout. Grab your favorite skillet and prepare to wow your family with this quick, cheesy classic that makes weeknight dinners deliciously simple.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 pound elbow noodles
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 cups milk
Dairy and Fats:
- ½ cup salted butter
Seasoning and Thickeners:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Boil 1 pound elbow noodles according to package instructions until perfectly al dente. Drain completely in a colander.
- Melt ½ cup salted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until fully liquefied and bubbling.
- Sprinkle ½ cup flour, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder into melted butter. Whisk aggressively until mixture looks smooth and uniform.
- Cook the flour mixture for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Your roux will slightly thicken and become fragrant.
- Slowly stream 3 cups milk into the pan, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Keep whisking until sauce looks completely smooth.
- Increase heat to medium-high and cook sauce for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Watch for sauce to thicken and coat the back of your spoon.
- Reduce heat to low and add 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Whisk until cheese melts completely and creates a silky sauce.
- Pour drained pasta directly into cheese sauce. Stir gently to coat every single noodle with creamy goodness.
- Allow mac and cheese to rest for 5 minutes, which helps sauce settle and thicken to perfect consistency before serving.
Notes
- Always cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushy mac and cheese that loses its perfect texture.
- Shred your own cheese from a block for smoother melting and better flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Whisk flour and seasonings thoroughly to prevent lumps in the cheese sauce and ensure a silky, even consistency.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for whole milk and use reduced-fat cheese without sacrificing creamy richness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-13 minutes
- Category: Boiled
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg