0 from 12 votes
Stove Top Mac And Cheese
This easy macaroni and cheese recipe comes together in less than 15 minutes, using one pot, on top of your stove.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 8 Servings
Course:
Side Dish , Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni other shapes can also be used
- 3 1/2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese sharp cheddar cheese works well - you can use other semi-hard cheeses as well
- 4 slices American cheese cut into smaller pieces, fresh sliced from the deli case is highly preferred
- 4 ounces cream cheese cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons butter salted or unsalted
- 1 3/4 cups half and half or milk half and half will give a richer flavor
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
OPTIONAL ITEMS
- hot sauce a few drops
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions.
- Drain pasta.
- Prior to placing pasta back into the pot, place butter, cream cheese and grated cheese into the pot.
- Pour drained pasta back into pot, on top of the ingredients. Add cut up slices of American cheese, and approximately 1 cup of half and half or milk into the pot.
- Return pot to stove and turn burner to low heat. Use the same burner already used to cook the past as it will still be warm. Give a good stir.
- Sprinkle in salt (and optional mix in items if using) and stir well. As cheeses start to melt, add an additional 1/2 cup of milk or half and half.
- Continue stirring over low heat until all ingredients have melted and have combined with pasta. It may take some time and stirring for it to all incorporate, just keep stirring.
- Add additional half and half or milk as needed to reach desired level of creaminess. If desired you can add more milk than is called for in the recipe.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- It's highly recommended that you grate fresh your cheese versus using pre-grated cheese, which contains added starches and anti-caking agents, resulting in cheese that doesn't melt as well.
- Feel free to get creative, you can use white cheddar, sharp cheddar, or even other cheese varieties.
Nutrition Information
Calories
560kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
48g
(16%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
30g
(46%)
Saturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
88mg
(29%)
Sodium
904mg
(38%)
Potassium
288mg
(8%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
960IU
(19%)
Vitamin C
0.1mg
(0%)
Calcium
553mg
(55%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 560kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 48g | 16% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 88mg | 29% |
| Sodium | 904mg | 38% |
| Potassium | 288mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 960IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 553mg | 55% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.