This easy homemade mac and cheese recipe is made on the stovetop with 8 ingredients in 25 minutes! It’s so creamy and rich, you’ll never go back to boxed mac and cheese.
Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese
My slow cooker mac and cheese has been a long time favorite, but I also loving making this homemade mac and cheese on the stove top when I want it done quicker. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and tastes just as delicious.
Nothing screams comfort food like a bowl of creamy stovetop macaroni and cheese. When the craving hits, it’s tempting to make a box of Kraft on the stove. But this homemade mac and cheese recipe is almost just as easy and tastes so much better!
The noodles are tender and the cheese sauce is perfectly creamy and rich. It’s made with two different types of cheese, which boosts the flavor even more. You could even take it up a notch and make baked macaroni and cheese.
Ingredient Notes
- Elbow macaroni: Any bite-sized noodles work but elbows are a classic.
- Butter: Salted butter or unsalted butter work just adjust added salt.
- All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the sauce.
- Milk: Whole milk will add rich flavor and make it extra creamy.
- Mustard: Yellow mustard or Dijon both are okay to use.
- Cheddar cheese: Freshly grated medium or sharp cheddar cheese.
- Gruyere: Or Monterey Jack. Two cheeses add the best flavor!
- Seasoned salt: Adds a special touch!
How to Make Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Noodles. Cook the elbow noodles in a pot of boiling water until tender. Then drain and set aside.
- Make a roux. This classic stovetop mac and cheese starts by making the roux. Melt butter in a large pot, then mix in the flour. Keep stirring over medium-low heat for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Creamy cheese sauce. Then whisk in the milk and mustard. Once the mixture is simmering, remove from heat and add in the cheese. Stir until the consistency is smooth and the cheese has melted completely.
- Combine. Then add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cooked noodles and then serve while warm!
Tips for the Best Macaroni and Cheese
- Best cheese to use. I like to use a mix of sharp cheddar cheese and gruyere. You can use mild cheddar cheese, Monterey jack, colby jack, fontina or mozzarella. For a copycat Panera mac and cheese use sharp white cheddar.
- Simple sauce variation. If you want something simple and creamy with Parmesan to toss with your mac and cheese, use this white sauce recipe.
- Grate your own cheese. Instead of the pre-shredded bags, buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself. The bags have extra ingredients added in, which makes it harder for the cheese to melt. Grating your own gives it the perfect texture!
- Salt the water. Add a Tablespoon of kosher salt to the water you cook the noodles in. This helps boost the flavor in the easy mac and cheese recipe.
- Serve with: Serve homemade macaroni and cheese with a variety of main dish recipes including BBQ brisket sandwiches, meatloaf or sloppy joes.
Variations and Add-Ins
Have some fun and get creative with your own version of homemade mac and cheese!
- Baked mac and cheese version. Finish the dish off in the oven by making baked macaroni and cheese. Once it’s ready, pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with extra cheese, Panko or bread crumbs. Then bake until golden and bubbly.
- Add proteins. Mix in some cooked chicken, bacon, ham or even chopped hot dogs.
- Veggie add-ins: Add in broccoli, peas, carrots or spinach.
- Hot sauce. If you like heat, mix in a dash of hot sauce right before serving.
Storage
Store mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. It will get thicker the longer it sits. I like to add up to 2 Tablespoons milk when reheating.
Need more comfort food ideas? Make my homemade pot pie, fried mac and cheese or this easy hamburger casserole!
More Macaroni Recipes
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Homemade Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow noodles (use 2 1/2 cups if using large elbow noodles)
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 3-4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1-2 teaspoons yellow or dijon mustard
- 2-3 cups medium or sharp cheddar cheese (shred from block)
- 1 cup gruyere or jack cheese (shred from block)
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
S&P and hot sauce to taste
Instructions
- Cook noodles. Cook 2 cups noodles in a large pot of water according to package. Add 1 Tablespoon of salt to the water. Drain once cooked.
- Make roux. In a large pot, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium-low heat and then whisk in 3-4 Tablespoons flour. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Creamy sauce. Whisk in 2 cups milk and 1-2 teaspoons mustard. Let come to a simmer and then remove from heat.
- Add cheese. Whisk in 3-4 cups of cheeses and stir until smooth and melted. Add in salt and pepper, and season to taste. You could add a dash of hot sauce if desired as well.
- Stir in noodles. Add in cooked noodles and stir to combine. Serve while warm.
Notes
- You can also substitute the sharp cheddar cheese for a mild one.
- I love using gruyere as it adds a wonderful flavor and smooth and creamy texture, however you can substitute it for jack, colby, fontina or mozzarella. You could even just use all cheddar if preferred.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Christmas, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Super easy, quick, and delicious! So creamy. HAPPILY ate leftovers every day until it was gone!
I’m so happy to hear you loved it! :)
On the Mac and Cheese recipe is the yellow mustard or Dijon mustard Called for in the recipe powder or liquid
I use liquid dijon, either works :)
I can’t wait to try this recipe at home, it looks very tasty!
So incredibly creamy, love the two types of cheese in the recipe!
Hi where can I find the other ingredients that used to be part of this recipe?
Salt
Pepper
Garlic salt
??
Thank you so much.
Hi Kim! Salt and pepper is added to taste. There is no garlic salt in this recipe, but you are welcome to add a little if you would like.
Love how easy these macaroni and cheese are to make!
Homemade mac and cheese is the best! This looks so good!
This sounds like something I need to try. I really like
Now, this recipe will be one of my favorites. Looks incredible!
Looks so perfect! Comfort food at it’s best, seriously drooling over this right now!
Nothing beats a good homemade mac and cheese! I wish I had a big plate of it right now!
Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food. You totally nailed it with this recipe.
Love a good mac & cheese recipe, especially one that makes a lot! Does this amount fit into a 9X9 pan? I would think it would need at least a 9X13. Thanks for sharing this great looking recipe!
It does fit in a 9×9 pan, but you could put it in a 9×13 pan and just have it be less tall if you prefer! :)
What do you mean for whipping cream?
Whipping cream is also referred to as heavy cream. It’s usually near the milk and other dairy products at the grocery store. I hope this helps!
Oooh, Yummy! You’ve given me an idea for supper, tonight. We’ve had some cold, wintry weather the past few days. Always interested in perfecting my go-to mac & cheese recipee Also, thanks for the great cookie ideas recently. I’ve found some new favorites including the Pistachio Cherry Meltaways — a real hit at a cookie walk. I may add a few chocolate jimmies or mini chocolate chips to the batter next time, as this reminds me of another pistachio treat made with the jimmies.
Homemade mac & cheese is an essential in our house! I hope you enjoy this recipe. Those pistachio cookies are delicious…I’m sure they would be even better with chocolate in them! Good idea!