Four Cheese Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
6 people
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Calories
887 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Four Cheese Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Description
Starting with a butter and flour roux cooked to a golden color, this recipe gradually incorporates water and milk to create a creamy base for cooking short pasta shapes. The pasta simmers in this mixture with seasonings like granulated garlic and onion powder until al dente, absorbing the flavorful liquid. Removing from heat, the four cheeses—white cheddar, fontina, gruyere, and Parmesan—are stirred in until melted, forming a velvety sauce coating the pasta.
The dish balances a creamy texture with distinct cheese notes: cheddar’s sharpness, fontina’s smoothness, gruyere’s nuttiness, and Parmesan’s depth. The stovetop method allows the sauce to come together quickly without baking, making a comforting meal.
Additional mix-ins such as crispy pancetta, peas, steamed vegetables, or cubed ham can be stirred in to complete the dish. This mac and cheese is best served immediately while warm and creamy.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups water
- 4 cups milk
- 1 pound pasta any short variety works
- salt kosher salt and freshly cracked
- black pepper kosher salt and freshly cracked
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups White Cheddar Cheese freshly shredded
- 2 cups fontina cheese freshly shredded
- 1 cup gruyere cheese freshly shredded
- ¾ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly shredded
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the flour, and stir to combined. Stir for about 1 minute, until golden brown. Once golden, pour in 1 cup of water, and whisk until smooth. The mixture will start to thicken and as it does, pour in the remaining water and milk, continuing to stir until smooth.
- Add the pasta into the pot along with the salt, garlic and onion granules. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to medium to maintain a simmer. Continue to cook until the pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes.
- Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pot from heat, and stir in the cheeses until smooth and melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
- Add ingredients like crispy pancetta, bacon, peas, steamed broccoli, spinach (drained of excess moisture), roasted butternut squash, or cubed ham to make this mac and cheese a more complete meal.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 887 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 887kcal | 44% |
| Carbohydrates | 68g | 23% |
| Protein | 47g | 94% |
| Fat | 47g | 72% |
| Saturated Fat | 28g | 140% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 151mg | 50% |
| Sodium | 1029mg | 43% |
| Potassium | 507mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 1466IU | 29% |
| Vitamin C | 0.04mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 1100mg | 110% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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