A Simple, But Fabulous Stove-Top Mac and Cheese (with optional herby golden bread crumbs!)

Name: A Simple, But Fabulous Stove-Top Mac and Cheese (with optional herby golden bread crumbs!)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 10 to 12 ounces dry pasta shells, shellbows or elbow noodles (any pasta shape will work!); 3 tablespoons butter; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or white whole wheat flour or GF 1:1 all purpose flour); 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; Lots of freshly ground black pepper; 2 ½ cups whole milk (or sub 2% or unsweetened cashew milk), plus more as needed; 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 heaping cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese); 2 to 3 ounces gruyere cheese (about ½ cup shredded gruyere); For topping:; 2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (½ cup shredded cheddar cheese); 2 ounces gruyere cheese (½ cup shredded gruyere)

User Reviews

5.0

3 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings
4 servings
Calories
684 kcal
Course
Side Dish, Dinner
Cuisine
American, Vegan

A Simple, But Fabulous Stove-Top Mac and Cheese (with optional herby golden bread crumbs!)

Stella Guerrero

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Everyone needs a simple, easy stove-top mac and cheese they can throw together in no time at all and this is bound to become your new favorite! Perfect for serving kiddos, as a holiday side dish, or for jazzing up with roasted veggies, broccoli, bacon, sausage or chicken! The options are endless when it comes to the base of this creamy mac and cheese that’s ready in only about 25 minutes!

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Ingredients

Servings

10 to 12 ounces dry pasta shells, shellbows or elbow noodles (any pasta shape will work!)
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or white whole wheat flour or GF 1:1 all purpose flour)
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Lots of freshly ground black pepper
2 ½ cups whole milk (or sub 2% or unsweetened cashew milk), plus more as needed
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 heaping cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese)
2 to 3 ounces gruyere cheese (about ½ cup shredded gruyere)
For topping:
2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (½ cup shredded cheddar cheese)
2 ounces gruyere cheese (½ cup shredded gruyere)

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, make the cheese sauce: In another large oven-safe skillet or braiser, melt the butter over medium heat, then whisk in the flour, cooking and whisking constantly until a paste forms, about 30 seconds. Slowly stream in the milk, constantly whisking away any lumps, until smooth and combined. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, 3 to 5 minutes. Once the sauce has thickened a bit, reduce the heat to low and stir in the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, lots of pepper (don’t be shy!). Fold in the cheddar and gruyere cheeses and stir until completely melted. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if necessary.
Stir in the pasta and serve: Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and stir gently to combine. If you want it a little creamier, you can stir in an extra splash or two of milk until it is nice and saucy! The pasta will really soak up the cheese sauce.
Serve: Enjoy the mac and cheese straight out of the pan, OR you can top the mac and cheese with an extra 2 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese and 2 ounces of gruyere and place under the broiler in your oven for 1 to 2 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden. Serves 4 as a main, 6 as a side.

Notes

I love to top this recipe with my Herby Golden Breadcrumbs (page 236) out of my cookbook, The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook – ORDER HERE.
See the full post for tips, tricks, and easy ways to customize this mac and cheese recipe.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1serving (based on 4, without bread crumbs) Calories 684cal (34%) Carbohydrates 66g (22%) Protein 29.6g (59%) Fat 33.3g (51%) Saturated Fat 19.1g (96%) Fiber 2.5g (10%) Sugar 9.4g (19%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 684 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1serving (based on 4, without bread crumbs)
Calories	684cal	34%
Carbohydrates	66g	22%
Protein	29.6g	59%
Fat	33.3g	51%
Saturated Fat	19.1g	96%
Fiber	2.5g	10%
Sugar	9.4g	19%