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Easy Mac & Cheese (Stovetop, no Flour Needed!)

My easy macaroni and cheese recipe is so creamy and is made without flour or a roux! You can make it in just 15 minutes on the stove with a few easy steps.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 491 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 8 8 oz dried macaroni about 2 cups
  • 1 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 2 Tablespoons salted or unsalted butter
  • ½ ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ - ½ ¼ - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • ¼ ¼ teaspoon ground mustard (optional)
  • 1 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese see note
  • 4 4 slices American cheese see note

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring 3 cups of well-salted water to a boil in a medium-saucepan over high heat.
  2. Once water comes to boil, add pasta, return to a boil, and cook 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Strain pasta, discarding the water. Leave the pasta in the strainer and return the saucepan to your burner.
  4. Combine milk, butter, salt, pepper and paprika and mustard in the saucepan over medium-low heat and stir frequently over low heat until butter is melted.
  5. Return pasta to saucepan and stir well.
  6. Add cheeses, allow to sit about 30 seconds until slightly melty and then stir until all noodles are coated. Don't turn up the heat or the cheese will not melt properly.
  7. Serve immediately.  Stir in any desired add-ins (such as bacon) immediately before serving.

Notes

  • Shred your own cheddar off the block, don't buy pre-shredded which is often tossed with a powder that will keep the cheese from melting properly and can leave you with mac & cheese that is both clumpy and runny.
  • Shred your own cheddar off the block, don't buy pre-shredded which is often tossed with a powder that will keep the cheese from melting properly and can leave you with mac & cheese that is both clumpy and runny.
  • If you don't have American cheese, you can substitute another cup (113g) of cheddar cheese, but the macaroni will be less creamy.
  • If you don't have American cheese, you can substitute another cup (113g) of cheddar cheese, but the macaroni will be less creamy.
  • This dish will be creamiest served warm immediately after it's made. Leftovers reheat well, but the pasta absorbs much of the sauce so it won't be as creamy the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 491kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 47g (16%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 25g (38%) Saturated Fat 15g (75%) Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 72mg (24%) Sodium 897mg (37%) Potassium 270mg (8%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 818IU (16%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 507mg (51%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 491

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 491kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 47g 16%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 25g 38%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 72mg 24%
Sodium 897mg 37%
Potassium 270mg 6%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 818IU 16%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 507mg 51%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.