Description
Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese delivers pure comfort straight from your favorite pan, melting sharp cheddar and silky cream into a quick weeknight dinner that beats boxed versions hands down. Grab some elbow pasta and get ready to experience cheesy goodness that comes together faster than driving through the drive-thru.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
Supporting Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Boil 2 cups of elbow macaroni in salted water at a rolling boil for 8-9 minutes until perfectly tender, then drain in a colander.
- Return the empty pot to medium heat and melt 4 tablespoons of butter completely until it turns slightly golden and fragrant.
- Pour 2 cups of milk into the melted butter, heating to 160°F while stirring gently to prevent scorching.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese gradually into the warm milk mixture, whisking constantly to create a silky smooth sauce.
- Fold the drained macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta piece gets thoroughly coated with the creamy blend.
- Season the mac and cheese with 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper, mixing thoroughly to distribute the seasoning evenly.
- Remove from heat and let the dish rest for 2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly before serving hot.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese block for a smoother, more even melt compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- Keep the heat low when adding cheese to prevent separation and maintain a silky sauce texture.
- For extra richness, swap half the milk with heavy cream or add a splash of cream cheese to the sauce.
- Customize the dish by mixing in crispy bacon bits, diced jalapeños, or breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Boiled
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 585 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg