Best 4 The Best Stovetop Mac And Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our curated collection of the best stovetop mac and cheese recipes. Embark on a culinary journey to discover a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. From classic and creamy to unique and innovative, these recipes offer a delightful variety to satisfy every palate. Whether you prefer a rich and cheesy sauce or a lighter, more delicate flavor, our selection has something for everyone. Get ready to elevate your mac and cheese game and create a dish that will become a family favorite. Choose from recipes that showcase different types of pasta, cheeses, and mix-ins, ensuring that each bite is a new adventure. With detailed instructions and helpful tips, these recipes will guide you through the process of crafting the perfect stovetop mac and cheese, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture every time. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your stove, and let's embark on this delicious journey together!

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

STOVETOP MACARONI AND CHEESE



Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese image

When I was a girl, Mama used Texas longhorn cheese in this recipe. After it melted all over the macaroni, I loved to dig in and see how many strings of cheese would follow my spoonful. -Imogene Hutton, Brownwood, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 25m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 package (7 ounces) elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
2 cups whole milk
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Paprika, optional

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes longer or until thickened., Stir in cheese until melted. Drain macaroni; add to cheese sauce and stir to coat. If desired, sprinkle with paprika.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 388 calories, Fat 22g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 72mg cholesterol, Sodium 542mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

CREAMY STOVETOP MAC AND CHEESE



Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese image

"One cold night, a dozen friends stopped by and I made them the best mac and cheese ever with a huge conglomeration of cheeses. This version is a little simpler," says Nancy.

Provided by Nancy Fuller

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt
1 pound medium shell pasta
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup half-and-half
2 cups grated cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
1 cup grated Colby Jack cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 heaping teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon paprika
Dash of hot sauce
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. When it begins to foam, sprinkle in the flour and stir until it becomes pasty, about 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and half-and-half and bring to a low simmer. Cook, stirring, until the mixture looks thick, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the cheddar and Colby Jack cheeses by the handful to the milk mixture, stirring well after each addition until melted. Mix in the mustard, paprika and hot sauce. Fold in the cream cheese and stir well until melted; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cooked pasta. Serve the mac and cheese immediately while still warm and at its creamiest!

EASY STOVE-TOP MACARONI & CHEESE



Easy Stove-Top Macaroni & Cheese image

Make and share this Easy Stove-Top Macaroni & Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Marie

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

16 ounces elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 dash black pepper
2 cups milk, warmed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or 8 ounces cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions.
  • In medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in flour, and cook for 3-5 minutes stirring constantly to form a roux; add salt and pepper; slowly add milk, stirring well after each addition.
  • Cook and stir until bubbly.
  • Stir in cheese a small amount at a time until fully melted.
  • Drain macaroni; add to cheese sauce; stir to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 590.7, Fat 24.4, SaturatedFat 14.9, Cholesterol 71.3, Sodium 540.1, Carbohydrate 68.7, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 2.4, Protein 23.2

BEST-EVER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese image

I found this recipe in a magazine. I made the recipe the other day, and this mac and cheese IS tasty. It makes a lot, too. So if you have to make dinner for a crowd, this is the one to make. To save on cost, I don't think you would have to use the gruyere cheese, although it does add a bit of a difference to ordinary mac and cheese, as does the bay leaf.

Provided by Chris Reynolds

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon melted butter
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
5 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 bay leaf
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3 cups shredded swiss gruyere cheese
1 lb pasta shells, cooked according to package directions (or LARGE elbow macaroni)
1/2 cup heavy cream

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Toss the panko bread crumbs with melted butter on a small baking pan. Toast the bread crumbs until lightly browned about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  • In a large saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat until melted, then stir in the flour. Heat and stir until the mixture is smooth and bubbling about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the milk. Add the seasonings (next 6 ingredients).
  • Heat and stir to boiling, then reduce heat to a low simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.
  • Stir in 3 cups of the cheddar cheese and all the Gruyere until melted. Pour the sauce over the cooked macaroni in a large bowl, stirring until all the macaroni is coated.
  • Pour the macaroni into a well-greased 9x13 baking pan. Drizzle heavy cream around the edges of the casserole. Sprinkle on the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Top with the panko crumbs and cover the casserole.
  • Bake 20 minutes. Remove the cover and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 458.8, Fat 28.1, SaturatedFat 17.2, Cholesterol 88.7, Sodium 508.3, Carbohydrate 30.9, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 1.2, Protein 20.4

Tips:

  • Use the right pasta. Elbow macaroni is the classic choice for mac and cheese, but you can also use other short pastas like penne or shells.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking it until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and lose its shape.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. It helps to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
  • Use a good quality cheese. The type of cheese you use will greatly affect the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a classic flavor, or try a combination of different cheeses for a more complex flavor.
  • Add some extras. Once you have the basic mac and cheese recipe down, you can start to add some extras to make it your own. Some popular additions include cooked bacon, diced ham, chopped vegetables, or even a dollop of sour cream.

Conclusion:

Stovetop mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. By following these tips, you can make the best stovetop mac and cheese that you and your family will love.

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