This stovetop Macaroni and Cheese is a perfect classic – and it just happens to be made in one pot. Butter, flour, pasta, milk, cheese and a few seasonings is all you need to make this epic classic that’s on the table super quick!
MY GO-TO MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE
Of all the versions of Mac and Cheese I have, this Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese is the one that I use most frequently because the effort vs output is off the richter scale.
It would be easy to assume that I make this in one pot for convenience. But I swear to you, that’s not the reason why. Less washing up is a side benefit.
The reason I make this in one pot is because the starch released from the pasta mixes in with the sauce and emulsifies it, creating a cheese sauce that is silkier and clings better to the pasta than making it the traditional way (i.e. cooking the sauce and pasta separately).
This isn’t just a theory of mine, it’s the proper way to make Italian pastas. The way Italians have been making it ever since the dawn of time. Every single pasta recipe on my blog is finished off by tossing the almost-cooked pasta in the sauce with a splash of pasta water. Doing this thickens the pasta sauce and it clings to every strand of pasta so you don’t end up with a pool of pasta sauce at the bottom of the bowl. I chatter on about this technique in every single pasta recipe I share. (See all my pasta recipes here!)
And by applying this same technique to Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese, the sauce comes out really luscious. Silky and glossy, and it clings to every macaroni. No gluggy sauce!!!
HOW TO MAKE MAC AND CHEESE
It starts with a traditional roux made with melted butter and flour which is the thickener for the sauce. Add seasonings, milk, cheese, then add the pasta.
And it all cooks together at the same time! Because the sauce thickens as it cooks, it needs to be stirred frequently. Not constantly, but pretty frequently. A leisurely stir every now and then, taking a sip of wine in between and flicking through a magazine.
Now that’s a nice vision of preparing dinner, isn’t it?? (Just to be clear, that’s not what it’s like for me most nights….I wish it was!!)
I thought a cooking video would be especially useful for this recipe so you can see the thickness of the sauce when you take it off the stove. If there is one tip I’d give for Mac and Cheese – any Mac and Cheese, even baked ones – it’s this: take the sauce off the stove BEFORE it’s the consistency you want. The sauce continues to thicken as you stir it and serve it. And it thickens really fast.
So take it off the stove earlier, and if it’s still too thin for your taste, pop it back on later.
I know there are many fancy schamcny Macaroni and Cheese version “out there” in this big wide world. Truffled, Lobster (yes, really!), multiple types of cheeses, loaded with cream. The list goes on and on. And I’m definitely partial to playing around with Mac and Cheese myself.
But a real classic Macaroni and Cheese is something that everyone should know. I realise I’ve completely contradicted myself here because this is a one pot version which isn’t traditional! But the end result is absolutely bang on traditional. 😉 – Nagi x
THE MAC & CHEESE COLLECTION
- This Stovetop Mac and Cheese – one pot, 20 minutes
- Baked Mac and Cheese – huge reader favourite!
- Chili Mac
- Shrimp Mac and Cheese – outrageously delicious!
- Chicken and Broccoli Mac & Cheese
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
1 minute cooking video tutorial. Dozer fans – don’t miss him bombing the shot at the end!
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Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 50 g / 3 1/2 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk (full fat preferred but low fat is ok)
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 250 g / 2 1/2 cups elbow macaroni , uncooked
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese , shredded
- 1 1/2 cups cheese (Cheddar, Colby, Gruyere) , shredded (Note 1)
- Salt and pepper
Seasonings (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium pot or large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Add about 3/4 cup of milk and mix into butter mixture – it will become a slurry pretty quickly.
- Add remaining milk and mix so the slurry mixes in. Then add water and Seasonings.
- Add macaroni and mix. Stir occasionally as it comes to heat. When you see wisps of steam as you stir, lower the heat down to medium low.
- Stir regularly as it cooks for 9 – 10 minutes (it will bubble gently), or until the sauce thickens and the macaroni is just cooked – tender but still firm. It should still be saucey at this stage and thinner than you want.
- Take it off the stove and stir the cheese in quickly. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. <- In this step, the sauce thickens and reduces considerably.
- Serve immediately!!
Recipe Notes:
* Pasta keeps cooking in the sauce after you take it off the stove. So take it off when it is still a teeny bit firm!
* The sauce thickens ALOT after you take it off the stove when you stir the cheese in and simply by stirring it. It is better to take the pot off the stove too early than too late. TROUBLESHOOTING:
* If you take the pot off too late at the sauce becomes too thick, just add a splash of milk or water. Easy fix!
* If you take it off too early, just pop it back on the stove. 3. I make my stovetop Mac and Cheese in one pot because I think it comes out better, using just the traditional ingredients. The reason is because the starch in the pasta releases into the sauce as it cooks, making it silky, glossy and it clings to the pasta. This is a technique used by Italians for all their pastas. Read more in the post! 4. My Baked Mac and Cheese is made differently, but you can bake this one too. Mix panko breadcrumbs with butter and parmesan, take the pot off the stove before it’s done but enough sauce has reduced so the breadcrumbs will stay on top, then pop under grill/broiler for a few minutes. During this time the pasta will continue to cook. This recipe is very forgiving so don’t stress if your timing is a bit out! 5. Nutrition per serving, assuming 5 servings. I only use a pinch of salt in this because I find the cheese is salty enough.
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
His tail gets in all sorts of trouble. It can clear a coffee table of wine glasses, brush through cheese platters. And gets caught in things like a crack in the leg of this table.
The perils of having long hair, hmm?
Hi Nagi. This looks delish but I’d like to make it with sliced mushrooms. Would you recommend separately frying the mushrooms then adding them with the cheese at the end or adding them together with the pasta and letting them cook in the sauce?
Hi Priscilla, I’d cook them separate first to get them golden and reduce the water content in them and then add them with the cheese into the Mac & Cheese. N x
I did just that and it worked out really well. Was also surprised how the sauce really came out just like it does from the oven but so much quicker! Thanks for the recipe
Super easy, super nice!! Thank you
If I want to use a full pound (454g) uncooked pasta, do I need to modify ingredients, and if so, what are the increased amounts?
Hi CC – yes you will. You can click on the servings and when scaling up it will change all the ingredients for you. N x
Thanks, Nagi! I was so excited to try this, I completely overlooked the “scaling up”! I’ll let you know how it goes. Cheers! -CC
Was hesitant to try this one pot since I’m used to doing the pasta and sauce seperately. Turned out perfect thank you! And my boyfriend thanks you since he does the dishes!
Delicious recipe, super creamy sauce! I did end up using just mozzarella as I didn’t have any other cheeses at the time. Adding extra garlic helped with the flavour, and made up for just having mozza
Everything I have made from your blog has been delicious, including this Mac and cheese! This one is super simple to make and easy to clean up (only one dirty pot)!
YES! And don’t we all LOVE a one pot recipe! 🙌
Hello Nagi,
What kind of pot is that your using ? Any links where to buy it from ?
I need to take this to a tennis match. It will be chilly out – and it takes HOURS to play all the matches – so I was thinking I’d put it in a crockpot on ‘warm’. Will it overcook? Thanks!
Hi Laura, it should be ok on a “keep warm” setting 🙂
First time making macaroni cheese and this was unbelievably simple; also came out just as I had hoped for it to
I’m so glad you loved it Shiven!!
I made this recipe for supper last night. It was delicious, comforting!!!! Didn’t realize this could be done stovetop!!! Many thanks for such a wonderful recipe!!…. I have many more of your recipes I look forward to trying!!!…..
AMAZZZING RECIPE. Made this as part of hubbys birthday dinner, everyone had seconds. Yummm
Happy Birthday Hubby! I hope he loved it!
My grandmother used to make a Mac and Cheese that I am trying to duplicate- would this work with Rigatoni pasta?
This is my favorite stovetop Mac and cheese, I just adjust the seasonings to our preference. Planning on making this for Thanksgiving, do you think it would double well?
Hi Cathy, yes you can double this easily – I hope it’s a hit and you have a fantastic Thanksgiving!
I just found your blog and I am SO grateful. I struggle to find new recipes on the internet and my imagination does not serve me in the kitchen. This one was excellent! The best home made mac & cheese I have had.. stovetop or oven baked! My SO and I loved it. Thank you!
Once again,
Yum 😋
Thanks so very much🌸
Thanks Deborah!
Another fantastic recipe! My preggo belly was craving some mac & cheese from scratch and this was perfect. So easy and quick to make and so yummy. Thank you, Nagi!
P.S. Love the Dozer stories 😀
I’m so glad you loved it Anne!
Another fantastic recipe! My preggo belly was craving some mac & cheese from scratch and this was perfect. So easy and quick to make and so yummy. Thanks, Nagi!
P.S. Love the Dozer stories 😀
Nagi!! This recipe is quicker and easier then making a rue or putting in the oven. The onion and garlic powder brings out whatever cheese I decide to use. My kids love this! Thank you so much!
You’re so welcome! I’m so glad you love it!
Hi Nagi Looked in Woolies for Cheddar Cheese and couldn’t find any!!! What cheddar do you use or recommend?? Love your recipes! Carol
Hi Carolyn, you can also buy Cheddar in Harris farm! I usually use a mix of cheeses for flavour – N x
Delicious!!! Thanks for the amazing recipe!!! Do you know what cheese you would use to get the really yellow look like the American Mac and cheese?
Hi Julie, American cheddar has that almost artificial orange/yellow colour – N x