Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

This creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe is so easy to make, perfectly cheesy, and comes together in around 30 minutes!

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Why You’ll Love Homemade Stovetop Mac and Cheese

I love a good creamy stovetop mac and cheese and this recipe is my idea of perfection. It’s much better than any boxed mac and cheese but it’s still nice and easy. It comes together with simple ingredients, and the flavor is out of this world from using just the right combination of cheeses.

You can serve this as a side dish for dinner, or add mix-ins to turn it into a complete meal for an easy dinner! 

Recipe Ingredients

Cavatappi Noodles: these are by far my favorite noodles for mac and cheese. They’re wide spirals that hold the sauce well so you get cheesy goodness in every bite. Feel free to swap the cavatappi for your favorite noodles. Elbow, penne, or farfalle are all great options!

Salted Butter: feel free to use unsalted butter if that’s all you have. 

All-Purpose Flour: this helps thicken the sauce so that it clings to the noodles. 

Whole Milk: this forms the base of the cheese sauce.

Dijon Mustard: a must in any good mac and cheese in my personal opinion! 

Seasonings: you’ll need garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper for this recipe. 

Cheese: I prefer to use a combination of sharp yellow cheddar, Monterrey Jack, and Gruyère cheese for the ultimate cheesy flavor and color.

Yogurt: plain whole milk Greek yogurt gives the mac the best creamy consistency.

Ingredient Substitutions and Additions

• Noodles – Need this recipe to be gluten free? Feel free to swap the cavatappi noodles with your favorite gluten free noodles. 
• Cheese – you can really use whatever cheese you prefer in this recipe. The one caveat is that you want to choose a cheese that melts well for that delicious gooey cheesy texture. Some of my favorites are cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and Monterrey jack cheeses. 
• Yogurt – you can swap the Greek yogurt for sour cream if you prefer. 
• Veggies – add color to your mac and cheese by including any veggies you have on hand! Some great options include green peas, carrots, cauliflower, chopped bell peppers, broccoli, onions, and mushrooms. 
• Protein – transform this side dish into a complete meal by stirring in protein like cooked turkey, shredded chicken, or cooked ground beef or ground turkey. It’s a great way to use up any leftover protein you have on hand! 

How to Make This Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe

Step One: Boil the pasta in salted water to al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta, and set it aside. 

Step Two: Next, heat a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the butter, and let it melt. Then, stir in the flour until well combined. Continue to cook the mixture for another 1 to 2 minutes. 

Step Three: Slowly whisk in the milk, and let the mixture come to a simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened being careful not to let it boil. Once the mixture is simmered, add the mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined, and fold in the shredded cheese and Greek yogurt. Stir until the ingredients are well combined and the cheese is melted. 

Step Four: Lastly, reduce the heat, and add the pasta. Stir until it is well combined and heated through. Add more milk as needed to achieve your desired consistency, and serve warm! 

Tips and Tricks

1. Choose short-cut pasta – Short pasta like cavatappi, elbow, or shells work best because they have lots of surface area to hold the cheese.
2. Avoid overcooking the pasta – The noodles will continue to cook slightly when combined with the rest of the ingredients. So, you want to be sure to cook them just to al dente to prevent them from becoming soggy. 
3. Grate your cheese – For the best taste and texture, buy blocks of cheese, and grate them yourself. Pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that impact their taste and prevent them from melting completely. 
4. Use warm milk – Heating your milk in the microwave or on the stovetop before adding it to the pot can make it easier to mix into the roux and prevent clumps from forming in the sauce. 

Serving Suggestions

Here are some great recipes to pair your mac and cheese with:

• Pan Seared Chicken Breast
• BBQ Chipotle Cheddar Chicken Burgers
• Air Fryer Salmon
• Pulled Pork Sliders
• Slow Cooker Ribs
• Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. 

Reheat your mac and cheese in the microwave or in a pot over medium heat on the stove. Add a splash of milk or broth as needed to loosen the cheese sauce back up. 

More Delicious Side Dish Recipes 

• Mashed Butternut Squash
• Broccoli Mac and Cheese
• Crispy Baked Potato Wedges
• Creamy Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Roasted Butternut Squash
• Chipotle Potato Salad

I hope you give this Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe a try! It’s perfectly creamy, cheesy, easy to make, and delicious! If you do give this recipe a try, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews and ratings help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you trust and love.

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Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by: The Mindful Hapa