This recipe for easy mac and cheese is creamy and full of comfort. All you need to do is to prepare the cheese mixture in an oven proof pot to make it easy. Then the mac and cheese goes directly into the oven. If you don’t have an oven proof pot, then after you’ve made the cheese mixture with the pasta, just transfer it to an oven proof baking dish. And in less than an hour, you’ll have one of the easiest and most delicious creamy mac and cheese recipes ever! For everyday if you’re up to eating it that often!

Amazing and easy stovetop creamy mac and cheese recipe in a cooking pot with wooden spoon

Video: Easy Mac & Cheese Recipe :


Can You Freeze This Mac and Cheese Recipe?

Yes, you definitely can. We love freezing the leftovers and thawing then re-heating for lunch or dinner. But remember that even when it’s thawed, it’s now going to be as creamy as when it was cooked fresh. We’re still fans. Yes, some folks can eat mac and cheese everyday. As kids, we could have easily made mac and cheese as a top food group and everyday dinner item. If you’re that obsessed then this is the easy mac and cheese recipe for you.

Amazing and easy stovetop creamy mac and cheese recipe in a bowl with spoon

Secret Ingredient Evaporated Milk Mac and Cheese

We have an excellent mac and cheese recipe that uses a can of evaporated milk instead of fresh milk. If you have a can of evaporated milk in your pantry and want to try to quick and easy NO BAKE method, here is the recipe for the evaporated milk mac and cheese recipe.

Everyday Creamy, Cheesy Mac & Cheese

Yield: 8 servings
Total Time: 45 minutes
To make it all in one pot,  prepare the cheese mixture in a stovetop safe and oven-proof pot or dutch oven (cast iron or similar pots). Then add the cooked macaroni and the oven proof vessel goes directly into the oven. If you don't have an oven proof pot, then after you've made the cheese mixture with the pasta, just transfer it to an oven proof baking dish.
You can double this recipe if you want to serve more people.
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Ingredients

  • 8 oz. (227g) package of macaroni pasta (this is half of a 16 oz package)
  • 1/2 cup (one stick or 113g) butter
  • 1 onion , minced (optional) or 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 cup (30g) flour , or more if needed if you want a thick cheese sauce
  • 3 cups (720ml) milk
  • 16 oz (455g) cheddar cheese , grated (about 3 cups)
  • 1 cup (240ml) grated parmesan cheese , divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt , or to personal taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) bread crumbs
  • minced parsley for topping (optional)

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a large 9-inch x 12-inch baking dish – see headnote.
  • In a large oven safe pot, boil pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Bring the same pot back to the stove and prepare the cheese and milk mixture. On medium heat, add butter and onion. Cook onions until soft, then add flour, stirring quickly to combine the flour and onion mixture. Break up all the flour clumps.
  • Add milk and continue stirring to make sure the flour dissolves completely. Allow milk mixture to come to a boil and sauce will thicken.
  • Reduce heat to low and add cheddar cheese and about 3/4 cup of the parmesan cheese (reserve remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese for topping).
  • Add cooked pasta to the pot with cheese mixture. Gently mix together. At this point you can just use the oven safe pot to continue baking. If you're using another baking dish, then pour mixture into baking dish.
    Add remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and bread crumbs on top.
  • Add remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and bread crumbs on top.(optional you can add a few chunks of butter over the bread crumbs)
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted with a nice crust. Top with minced parsley, if desired.

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 683kcal, Carbohydrates: 55g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 38g, Saturated Fat: 23g, Cholesterol: 110mg, Sodium: 713mg, Potassium: 345mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 1179IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 675mg, Iron: 2mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 683

Other Types of Pasta for Macaroni and Cheese

  • Small or large elbow macaroni
  • sea shell shaped pasta
  • Rotini pasta
  • curly pasta
  • bowtie or farfalle pasta
  • Spaghetti or angel hair pasta is great too!
  • Fettuccine is great especially if you like fettuccine alfredo. This time, it’s with a cheddar cheese sauce instead of a white sauce.
  • Here’s a great guide on different types of pastas and sauce pairings

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