Mac and cheese is one of my all-time favorite side dishes. The boxed kind is fine sometimes, but I like to step it up with this easy mac and cheese recipe for a summer BBQ. This stove-top mac and cheese recipe is everything you want in a bowl of comfort food—creamy, cheesy, and done in under 30 minutes!
💛Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super creamy and cheesy. Every bite is a cheese lover’s dream! We’re talking rich, melty, creamy cheese sauce—no dry mac here.
- Quick and easy. This is the best part! You’ll go from stovetop to serving bowl in under 30 minutes.
- Beginner-friendly. No fancy techniques—just simple ingredients and clear steps. It’s truly a beginner cook’s dream.
- Better than the box. It’s nostalgic and comforting, but made with real cheese and whole milk for next-level flavor.
- Great for gatherings. Perfect as a BBQ side dish, weeknight dinner, or cozy comfort food craving.
🧂 Ingredients Overview
Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need to make this stove-top mac and cheese recipe:
- Elbow macaroni – The classic pasta shape for mac and cheese! Now, if you want to, you can use penne, shells, or another shape to hold that sauce and cook it to al dente.
- Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and helps create the roux. Using unsalted butter gives you complete control over the saltiness of the recipe.
- Flour – Combines with the butter to thicken the sauce. All-purpose flour works best because it is not grainy and is neutral in flavor.
- Milk – Whole milk is ideal here. It gives the sauce that ultra-creamy texture.
- 📍Check It out: Substitute For Milk In Mac And Cheese
- Onion powder – Adds subtle flavor without overpowering the cheese.
- White pepper – Milder than black pepper and blends right into the sauce. If you don’t have any, don’t fret. You can use black pepper, and it will be fine.
- Salt – Just enough to bring all the flavors together.
- Cheddar cheese – A must for that bold, classic cheesy flavor. You can use sharp cheddar for a stronger, robust flavor. A milder cheddar will be a bit creamier. If you want to experiment, you can do a mixture of both.
- Gouda cheese – Adds creaminess and depth. You can swap in Monterey Jack, Havarti, or another melty cheese you love.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step: How to Make This Creamy Stove Top Mac and Cheese
Step 1: Boil the pasta
Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, add a few generous pinches of salt. Then add the macaroni and cook until just tender (al dente), according to package directions.
Drain the noodles and set them aside while you make the sauce.
Step 2: Melt the butter
In a large pot or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Step 3: Add the flour
When the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk to combine. Allow the butter and flour mixture to cook over medium heat for 1 minute.
Step 6: Add the milk gradually
In this step, the whisk will be your best friend. While whisking, slowly add the milk one cup at a time. Before adding the next cup of milk, ensure the first cup is thoroughly combined. Then move on to the next cup. Go slow and make it nice and creamy.
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Step 7: Season the sauce
Stir in the onion powder, white pepper, and salt. Let the sauce simmer over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, whisking often. It should thicken slightly and coat the back of a spoon.
Step 8: Add the cheese
Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheddar and gouda a handful at a time, whisking after each addition until fully melted and smooth.
Step 9: Combine pasta and sauce
Turn off the heat. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently until all the noodles are coated.
Step 10: Serve and enjoy
Serve the mac and cheese right away while it’s hot, creamy, and melty!
🔄 Optional Add-Ins & Variations
This stove-top mac and cheese recipe is super customizable! Try one (or more) of these fun twists to make it your own:
- Bacon pieces – Cook your bacon so it is crispy and not chewy. Crumble the bacon into pieces and stir it in cooked, at the end for a smoky, savory boost.
- Veggies – This is a great way to sneak in some vegetables. Add cooked peas, broccoli florets, or sautéed mushrooms for a little green and extra texture.
- Spice it up – Mix in a pinch of smoked paprika, cayenne, or a dash of hot sauce for a kick.
- Breadcrumb topping (oven optional) – Want a little crunch? Toast some breadcrumbs in butter and sprinkle them on top just before serving.
- Cheese swaps – Try Monterey Jack, Havarti, Fontina, or Gruyère for a unique flavor twist. Even a little cream cheese adds extra richness.
👉 Tip: If adding veggies, cook or steam them separately and stir them in when combining the noodles and cheese sauce.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Got leftovers? This stove-top mac and cheese saves beautifully with just a little know-how.
Creamy Stove Top Mac and Cheese
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Equipment
- Large saucepan or Dutch oven
- Whisk
- Measuring cups
- Cheese grater (if shredding from a block)
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni noodles uncooked
- ½ cup 1 stick butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1¼ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded gouda cheese or another cheese of your choice
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add a few generous pinches of salt. Add the macaroni and cook until just tender (al dente). Drain and set aside.
- In a separate large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and whisk together to form a thick paste. Cook this mixture (the roux) for 1 full minute, whisking constantly.
- Slowly pour in 1 cup of the milk while whisking. The mixture will thicken quickly—keep whisking until smooth. Repeat with the second and third cups, whisking after each until the sauce is smooth.
- Add the onion powder, white pepper, and salt. Stir to combine. Simmer the sauce over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, whisking often, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the shredded cheeses a handful at a time, whisking until fully melted before adding more. Continue until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Turn off the heat. Stir the drained macaroni into the cheese sauce until all noodles are well coated.
- Serve immediately. If the sauce thickens as it sits, stir in a splash of warm milk or cream to loosen it up.
