Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
A quick and easy creamy stovetop mac and cheese recipe ready in just 5 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights and comfort food cravings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 cups water or low-sodium broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Measure and prep 8 ounces of elbow macaroni and shred 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese if not pre-shredded. Soften 2 tablespoons of cream cheese ahead of time.
- In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of water or low-sodium broth with the dry pasta. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook for 3-4 minutes until pasta is al dente.
- Scoop out any remaining liquid carefully, leaving a little behind to help with the sauce. Do not drain completely.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in 2 tablespoons melted butter and softened cream cheese until fully melted and combined.
- Pour in 1 cup of room-temperature milk or half-and-half. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly to heat through and blend flavors.
- Gradually fold in shredded sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese melts completely and sauce is silky and creamy.
- Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed. For thicker sauce, cook a little longer over low heat, stirring constantly. Serve immediately.
Notes
If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash more milk to loosen it. Keep heat low when adding cheese to prevent graininess. Soften cream cheese before adding for smooth texture. Stir frequently to prevent noodles from sticking or burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 20
- Protein: 15
Keywords: mac and cheese, stovetop mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, quick dinner, easy mac and cheese, comfort food