Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe

This Creamy Mac and Cheese takes just minutes to prepare on the stovetop, contains two types of cheese, and is creamy, hearty, and delicious!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword macaroni and cheese recipe, stove top recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 467.59

Author Gayle

Get Recipe Ingredients

In a large pot, cook noodles in boil water until al dente, per packaged directions. Drain and set aside.
In a medium pot, melt butter. Then whisk in flour (see note below), salt, and pepper, to form a roux. *This is a basic mac and cheese recipe, which is not meant to be spicy or zesty. If you feel the mac and cheese needs more oomph, add in some garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder*
Slowly add milk and heavy cream, whisking until combined. Heat mixture until it bubbles over medium heat and thickens slightly.
Reduce heat to low and add in cheeses. Stir until melted and smooth. Add pasta to cheese mixture and toss to combine. If mixture is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons more milk and go from there.
Let macaroni and cheese sit for 5 minutes to thicken.

The original recipe called for ½ cup of flour, but some readers have said that ½ cup is too much, while others love this mac 'n cheese with that amount. Therefore, I reduce the amount to ¼ cup of flour in the directions.
To add more flavor to this mac 'n cheese, I like to add 2 teaspoons of garlic powder and a dash of paprika or ground nutmeg.
Looking for a more distinct cheesy taste? Use ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan or cheddar jack cheese, ¾ cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar.
See my tips and tricks for making this Creamy Macaroni and Cheese above the recipe box.