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Home » Sides » Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Published: Aug 20, 2019 Michelle Boulé

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

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By definition mac and cheese is a comfort food. The sauce, the pasta, everything about it is a stick to your stomach meal that is perfect for any bbq, dinner or meal whether in summer or during cold weather. This recipe for Stovetop Mac and Cheese is an easy take on such a classic dish, you'll be sure to enjoy it!

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

how to make a roux based sauce

Making a sauce from a roux base is a classic and easy way to make a sauce. First start by bringing your pan to a medium-high heat. Add in equal parts by weight butter and flour. Cook the roux mixture until it begins to turn tan and develops a nutty smell. You’ll want to stir this fairly continuously as both the butter and the flour will burn easily.

For light colored sauces, stop the roux once it begins to have a nutty aroma. For darker sauces and more flavor, continue cooking the roux until it is a dark tan (this is used a lot in cajun cooking as it has more flavor).

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

what makes mac and cheese grainy

Mac and cheese can go from great to gross in a matter of seconds if the sauce becomes grainy. There are a few reason as to why his happens.

  • you're sauce was heated too high and the milk curdled
  • you didn't cook your roux thoroughly and the flour is raw
  • You used the wrong type of cheese. Stick to cheeses that melt well like cheddar and avoid crumbly hard cheeses
  • You used store bought cheese that was dry. Buy a block of cheddar and grate yourself for the best results
  • You added your cheese to the liquid when it was too hot. Don't go above a simmer to avoid curdling.
Stovetop Mac and Cheese

what kind of cheese to use

I like to use a blend of cheeses, but I primarily use cheddar cheese as it has a good melting point and becomes very smooth. Sharp cheddar is preferred, but a cheddar blend also works really well. I also add in a bit of parmesan to balance out the flavor. Stay away from very hard cheeses or crumbly cheeses as they will melt differently and alter the texture of the sauce.

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

make it a meal

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Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Michelle Boulé
By definition mac and cheese is a comfort food. The sauce, the pasta, everything about it is a stick to your stomach meal that is perfect for any bbq, dinner or meal whether in summer or during cold weather. This recipe for Stovetop Mac and Cheese is an easy take on such a classic dish, you'll be sure to enjoy it!
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 750 kcal

Equipment

Saucepan
Whisk
Wooden Spoon
Stock Pot

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 Pound Dried Pasta Elbows or Cavatappi preferred
  • ½ Cup Butter
  • ½ Cup Flour
  • 1 ½ Cups Milk
  • 2 Cups Half and Half
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1 Tsp Paprika
  • 1 Tsp Ground Mustard
  • 2 Cups Sharp Cheddar
  • 1 Cup Cheddar Jack
  • Chives Optional
  • Bacon Optional

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta per package instructions until al dente. Set aside.
  • In a large pot or dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir together until fully incorporated. Cook roux until flour is cooked through and it has a slight nutty aroma.
  • Slowly add milk to roux mixture, whisking together so that it is smooth and fully blended together. Add is half and half.
  • Add in seasonings and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Whisk in cheese and stir until fully incorporated. Let simmer for several minutes until sauce thickens.
  • Add pasta to the sauce mixture and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 750kcalCarbohydrates: 71gProtein: 24gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 116mgSodium: 433mgPotassium: 410mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1425IUVitamin C: 0.7mgCalcium: 446mgIron: 1.9mg
Keyword Stovetop Mac and Cheese

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About Michelle

Hello! I'm Michelle Boulé. I'm a photography nerd, cat mom and all around foodie. Join me in making some of my favorite comfort foods!

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Comments

  1. Veena Azmanov says

    August 20, 2019 at 7:07 pm

    5 stars
    My family will surly be home for Dinner today One of their favorite dish.

    Reply
  2. Krissy Allori says

    August 20, 2019 at 7:08 pm

    5 stars
    This looks great! Thanks for the great tips on the cheese!

    Reply
  3. Heidy L. McCallum says

    August 20, 2019 at 7:09 pm

    5 stars
    I am so thrilled I found a real homemade mac and cheese recipe! This recipe looks great and those pics really make me want to dig right in! Bookmarking to make this week.

    Reply
  4. Caitlyn Erhardt says

    August 20, 2019 at 7:17 pm

    5 stars
    This mac and cheese looks insanely creamy and wonderful! This will be an instant hit in my house!

    Reply
  5. Traci says

    August 20, 2019 at 9:17 pm

    5 stars
    I could eat this mac and cheese every single day! It's the perfect texture and totally hassle-free. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Reply

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About page profile picture

Hello! I'm Michelle Boulé. I'm a photography nerd, cat mom and all around foodie. Join me in making some of my favorite comfort foods!

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