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Learn how to make this Easy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe in just minutes! Skip the box stuff and make this creamy and delicious side dish.
My family loves this easy macaroni and cheese recipe. It is ready in minutes and makes it the perfect side dish to any meal. In fact, my nieces were over the other day and I made this.
They thought it was the greatest macaroni and cheese. They said it was better than the boxed stuff. Frankly, I agree. You don’t need much to make this easy side dish. I think you will be surprised just how easy it is. If you love bake mac and cheese, you may want to try Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe, White Cheddar Mac and Cheese or this Tiktok Mac and Cheese.
What's in this post: Easy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Why We Love This Recipe
If you love comfort food, this mac and cheese recipe will definitely be a hit. It is so amazing and really simple. This one pot side dish is so easy and there is very little to clean up. You will love only having the one pan.
The cheese sauce is not difficult at all and much better than the boxed stuff. Just remember to cook the pasta al dente. Give this a try and let us know how you like it.
Once you see how easy this is and how wonderful it tastes, you will make it all the time. It is the best!
Ingredients
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variation Ideas
- Use different types of elbow pasta. Some ideas include bowtie, shells, penne and more. Just use what you have.
- Cheese – Feel free to use other types of cheese Monterrey Jack cheese is good. We have even mixed mozzarella with cheddar when we didn’t have enough cheddar. For amazing flavor, add in gruyere and gouda.
- Add Meat – Toss in leftover Rotisserie chicken, bacon or even tuna to make this like a casserole.
- Sneak in veggies. You can puree cauliflower or broccoli and mix in with the cheese. The kids won’t even notice.
How to Make Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
- Step 1 – Add the water, milk, pasta, salt and black pepper to a medium size pot.
- Step 2 – Heat over medium heat and bring to a low simmer. Stir frequently and watch closely so that the milk does not over boil. Then reduce the heat to low and cook until the pasta is done which should take approximately 8-10 minutes. Stir frequently and add more water if needed as the pasta will absorb the liquid.
- Step 3 – Remove the pot from the heat. Then stir in the freshly grated cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.
- Step 4 – Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Shredded Cheese – We recommend using shredded cheese from hunk cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has added ingredients that may cause the cheese not to melt evenly.
- Pasta – Before making stovetop mac and cheese, prepare the macaroni noodles according to the package. The cooked pasta should be al dente when ready to mix with the cheese.
Serving Suggestions
Homemade Mac and Cheese is the ultimate side dish that can be served with many main dish recipes. Here are some of my favorite recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Homemade Mac and cheese can easily be prepared in a baking dish. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions and drain the pasta. The pour the pasta in a baking dish and top with slice cheese and butter. I usually add in a little milk to keep the cooked macaroni creamy and delicious.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheat the leftovers on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave. You may need to add about 1 tablespoon of milk to make it creamy again.
Macaroni and Cheese freezes great! Cook like normal and place in a foil 9×9 baking pan to freeze. When you are ready to eat it, allow it to thaw, and just bake it in the oven at 350 degrees (covered) for about 30 minutes. You can even top it with shredded cheese and breadcrumbs to make an even fancier dish.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes
Easy Side Dishes
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe
Easy Stove Top
Sausage Mac and Cheese Recipe
Easy Appetizer
Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
We love to hear from you. If you make this Easy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Easy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz Small Elbow Macaroni
- 2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups Milk
- 1 1/2 cups Water
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Add the water, milk, pasta, salt and pepper to a medium size pot.
- Heat over medium heat and bring to a low simmer. Stir frequently and watch closely so that the milk does not over boil. Then reduce the heat to low and cook until the pasta is done which should take approximately 8-10 minutes. Stir frequently and add more water if needed as the pasta will absorb the liquid.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Then stir in the freshly grated cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.
- Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Enjoy!
I used 1 cup of extra sharp cheddar and 1 cup of monterey jack as that’s what I had. I also added about a tablespoon of unsalted butter before the cheese. Delish!
This looks great and I’m going to make it tonight. I see in the picture of the ingredients there is butter, but it’s not mentioned in the recipe. I’m assuming you add it before the cheese?
Way too much pepper for my kids! Otherwise good. Next time I’ll increase the salt and decrease the pepper.
LOVE homemade Mac & Cheese, but never dreamed it could be so easy! Can’t wait to try this! Thanks for the American Cheese tip.
I love homemade macaroni and cheese my son loves hamburger mixed with it !! Rate 5
Easy and taste really good
I love this easy recipe & make it in my rice cooker. Just about the same measurements except use equal amounts of water and pasta. Don’t drain the remaining water when the pasta is cooked; just add the milk and cheese and let it sit on warm for about 5 minutes.
Oh I never thought of that. Great idea Cheryle!
The easiest recipe in the world, and yet most favored…:)) Thanks so much!