Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Is it because we have fond memories of the Blue Box as a kid? Possibly. Is it the irresistible cheesiness? Most definitely. While the Blue Box was great back in the day, our tastes have matured to move away from the store-bought mac and cheese. If youโve never had made-from-scratch mac and cheese, you are in for a serious treat. We know parents and kids will agree that the real cheddar cheese in this creamy sauce just canโt be beaten.ย
Why Our Recipe
- Ready in about 15 minutes (depending on how long it takes you to boil water).
- Can use sharp cheddar or switch things up with other melting cheeses.
White Pepper vs. Black Pepper:
White pepper and black pepper are both the fruit of the pepper plant. They are processed differently which causes the change in color, and end up tasting slightly different. White pepper is hotter than black pepper, but black pepper has a more complex flavor. White pepper tends to have more floral and earthy notes to it.
Pasta Options for Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese:
Mac and cheese traditionally uses macaroni, but you really can use almost any small, tube-shaped pasta. Cavatappi, shells, farfalle, and penne are all other great pasta options.ย
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Pre-shredded cheeses are mixed with either potato starch, powdered cellulose, and natamycin, or a combination of the three to prevent clumping. These agents have an impact on how the cheese melts. The best mac and cheese uses freshly shredded cheese as it melts better, but pre-shredded cheese can also be used in a pinch. The results may not be as velvety smooth, but it’ll still taste delicious.
More Than Just Cheddar
Classic mac and cheese is made with a good sharp cheddar cheese, but you can also switch things up and use another kind of cheese, or a combination of cheeses. You want to be sure that whatever cheese you use is a good melting cheese. Gouda, brie, provolone, goat cheese, mozzarella, gruyere, fontina, and asiago cheese are all commonly found cheeses that are good for melting. For a fun twist on cheddar, try a sharp white cheddar cheese!
Storage and Reheating Instructions:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through. You may need to add a scant amount of water to the saucepan to thin out the sauce.
More cheesy pasta…
Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo
25 mins
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
30 mins
Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini
50 mins
3 Cheese Chicken Cavatappi
30 mins
Watch the video below where we will walk you through every step of the recipe with a video demonstration.
I hope you will make some homemade Mac and Cheese! Itโs a warm and wonderful holiday side dish. Double this recipe for a family of 6-8. (If you make this recipe like it is written, it will feed 2-3 adults.)
I have never made mac and cheese on the stove top….and now I always will!!! This recipe was so creamy and SO easy to make! I wasn’t sure about the spices but WOW…they made the dish fantastic! The tip about pre-shredded cheese was super helpful and something I never thought about. The block cheese I grated melted quickly and evenly. There is a reason why you are my go to for all my recipes ๐
Followed instructions but found it not creamy at all. Probably should have used less than the pound of macaroni in the recipe.
Iโve made this recipe a few time, to make it creamy I added an extra cup of whole milk and more cheese than what the recipe says. Nice and creamy ๐