“Easy, creamy, homemade macaroni and cheese that kids and adults will both love! Simply throw all the ingredients in a skillet! Simple, quick, and wholesome!
As much as I’m a fan of the southern baked style of macaroni and cheese, I’m equally devoted to the creamy, cheesy stovetop version.
Matter of fact, I’m pretty sure I like mac n cheese in whatever form it chooses to come in. Sadly, even the deep-fried version.
For a while, Isaac would only eat the blue box kind. Well hello, there childhood! It’s my fault though. As with most kids, it was the first mac n cheese he’d ever eaten and therefore NOTHING could rival it.
Can’t blame him too much because gosh I use to love that stuff. Now I can’t handle the taste of the cheese powder. Guess I’m getting old.
I let him make macaroni and cheese for dinner a few years ago and he’s never asked for the blue box version again. Seriously. It’s like he just forgot all about it once he learned how to make his own. Wish everything was that easy.
I’d like to think it’s because this creamy, stovetop macaroni and cheese is just as good as the boxed stuff in the store. And it’s a double win because it doesn’t contain all the artificial yellow powdery stuff and other chemicals.
Customize it with your favorite cheeses and you’ll be in heaven! When I make this for myself I ALWAYS go with a blend of smoked cheeses. SOOOO good but for the boys, we stick to sharp cheddar and mild white cheddar or Monterey Jack.
Ethan likes it with Horizons organic American cheese slices.
I love that this macaroni and cheese can all be thrown in one skillet and cooks up super quickly. It also doesn’t contain eggs like many homemade stovetop mac n cheese recipes.
Watch me make this easy macaroni and cheese from start to finish!
easy macaroni and cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 5 oz evaporated milk
- 3/4 cup whole milk divided
- 3 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
- 2 tablespoons butter optional
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese can use more, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups mild white cheddar cheese can use more, shredded
- 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- In a large deep skillet, add water, chicken broth, evaporated milk, 1/2 cup of whole milk, and elbow macaroni.
- Bring to a boil and immediately reduce heat to a simmer. (Watch carefully it will overflow if you let it boil to rapidly)
- Cook until al dente while stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes until some of the liquid has absorbed.
- Stir in butter if using.
- Add the cheeses a little at a time while stirring.
- Add in enough of remaining milk to create a creamy sauce. (You can place the pot back on the heat on low if you need more heat to melt the cheese)
- Stir in smoked paprika and ground mustard.
- Stir in salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
- (To reheat, place in a microwave safe bowl. Stir in a little milk to make it creamy and microwave until warm)
Video
Notes
test
Best Mac & cheese better than the blue box
Hi, there’s a problem
I tried this recipe last night and my family was amazed!!! I normally use box mac and cheese but NEVER AGAIN! ????????The absolute best!!!
Oh my, how cute was that voice! Lil man can cook! I don’t like mac and cheese but my family does. I think I’ll give it a go.
I love this mac and cheese recipe, it is so easy and quick to make. I used to cook the “blue box” mac and cheese when I want to make mac and cheese real quick, then I saw this recipe on your site and now I will never use the “blue box ” again.
Thanks
Can you freeze this recipe and reheat later with a little milk?
Well.
I can never use a recipe and leave it alone. So I made some modifications but darn. That’s a tasty bowl of mac and cheese.
I added mustard powder and honey mustard, as well as Worcestershire sauce. My smoked paprika means serious smoke business so I put just a hint of it in and it was more than enough.
I also refuse to use water in recipes where something else will do. I did the following for the liquids: 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup 2% and 1/2 cup heavy cream. I ended up needing to add an extra half cup of milk in the end, but that could be my location and its utter dryness.
I have never found a recipe for mac and cheese that was worth the effort over the blue box but this one definitely is. I am going to make a crockpot version for a family gathering this weekend. Thank you for posting!
Oh my gosh, that’s the best cooking video I’ve ever watched! He’s great!!
Made this for my daughter and she loved it. I still can’t believe you can prepare the whole recipe in one skillet! Thank you.
I am so excited about trying this recipe. My 21-year-old daughter (a working, live-at-home, college student) and I love the blue box stuff; although I can’t do the powder version, she’ll eat that or the cheese-sauce-in-foil type. She has discovered recently that she prefers small shell pasta to elbow macaroni. Well, what is the sense of tossing elbows just to buy the cheese-sauce-in-foil? Hence my interest in attempting your recipe! Thank you.
I love Macaroni and Cheese. Thanks.
I watched the video and had to come over and get the recipe. Your son is adorable and sounds like a natural. Be proud of that young man.
This video is so precious!! Can’t wait to have my daughter try it.
Hi Monique! Let me start by saying your boys are getting so big and they are too cute.
I made this dish for my family last night and they loved it!!!!! The best mac & cheese we ever ate. Thanks for this delicious recipe.
Your recipes are the best. Thanks
Omg this is so delicious…
Thank you so much for this recipe. Everyone loves my baked mac and cheese except for my kids. They love the blue box blues too. I was so disappointed! I was just thinking, maybe I’ll make the mac and cheese creamier. Then, you send this recipe (smile). Thank you! I really appreciate the recipe. Your the best!