Easy Homemade Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy stovetop mac and cheese made with elbow macaroni and Monterey Jack cheese. A quick, homemade macaroni recipe perfect for busy weeknights.
Servings: 5
Calories: 418kcal
Ingredients
- 10 ounces elbow or shell noodles
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (can also use 2% or 1%)
- 1 ½ - 2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese (we recommend shredding your own cheese for this recipe. Can also use cheddar or Colby Jack cheese if preferred)
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow or shell noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Return the same pot to medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt completely. Sprinkle in the flour, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and lightly golden. Cooking for 1–2 minutes removes the raw flour taste and allows the roux to properly thicken the sauce.
- Slowly pour in the whole milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, for 3–5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in 1½ to 2 cups shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese, adding it a handful at a time and stirring until fully melted and smooth before adding more.
- Add the drained pasta back into the pot and gently stir until evenly coated in the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Serve warm.
Notes
- Save time/prep ahead:
- Cook the pasta in advance and store separately. Combine with the freshly made cheese sauce when ready to serve.
- Shred your cheese ahead of time for faster prep.
- This recipe is not dairy free or vegan. It can be made gluten free with the use of gluten free noodles and gluten free flour. It is vegetarian.
- The recipe can be found on My Fitness Pal by searching "BWB Stovetop Mac and Cheese." The nutrition content provided for each recipe is an estimate created through the My Fitness Pal database. Please be aware that the nutritional content of each recipe may vary based on the products you use, the precision of your measurements, and the source you use to obtain nutrition data. While we try to provide accurate information, we give no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the nutritional information provided.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 418kcal | Carbohydrates: 49.5g | Protein: 18.2g | Fat: 17.6g | Saturated Fat: 10.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.9g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 469mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 3.2g | Sugar: 4.7g
