This One Pot Macaroni and Cheese is so simple that you will wonder why you haven’t always been making it this way. Ready in 15 minutes and 1 pot to clean- I’m sold!
This recipe is extra easy because you cook the macaroni right in the milk that helps to make the sauce. There's no water to boil or noodles to rinse. You just cook it all in one pan and it's done in about 20 minutes. And now you know how to make mac and cheese at home!
One Pot Mac and Cheese
I have all kind of macaroni and cheese recipes on the blog, and today I have a Creamy One Pot Macaroni and Cheese to add to the collection. This is a great recipe to make for lunch when your kids are in the mood for something simple, hot, and filling, and you need something that comes together in without any fuss. This recipe is so easy and we loved the extra creamy results.
My other stove-top macaroni and cheese recipe is still a favorite, but I don't always have canned milk on hand. The difference between the two is that this recipes makes a really thick and sticky macaroni and cheese (it almost has the texture and taste of baked macaroni to me), and the other recipe has almost a runny sauce to it. They are both excellent but different enough that I wanted to share both recipes.
How to Make Mac and Cheese
- Homemade mac and cheese is something that everyone can cook! It is so quick to make and takes very little effort. Before you start cooking, you will want to get out and measure all of the ingredients (there’s only 5) so you are ready to roll.
- This mac and cheese recipe is unique because you cook the noodles right in the milk. This technique creates the creamiest result. Start by using a large pot add the milk, butter, and macaroni noodles. Turn the burner on to medium and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring often. iIf the milk seems to stick to the bottom of the pan simply reduce the heat. Stir often until the noodles are cooked, about 15-18 minutes.
- Slow and low if your friend with mac and cheese. If you cook this step too fast and hot, the milk will curdle. Next, stir in the cheese and salt until everything is melted.
- Depending on the type and sharpness of cheese you may want to add up to another cup of cheese. Give it a little taste test. I used a moderately sharp cheddar and liked it at about 1 and ¼ cups of cheese. If I had used something milder I think I would have used more. I've made this a handful of times and each time I seem to use a different amount of cheese, depending on my mood and how much cheese I have in the fridge. Mac and Cheese is best served right away, so dish up and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
I prefer elbow macaroni but you can mix it up with bow tie, fusilli or penne pasta.
You don’t need to drain the pasta in this recipe. When you cook the pasta directly in the milk it will be extra creamy and the sauce sticks to the pasta so much better.
In order to get the full creaminess factor, I recommend using whole milk or at least 2%.
You can use water instead, but your mac n cheese will lack in creaminess.
If you end up having too much liquid in your macaroni and cheese, just simply bring the contents back to a boil. Boil the milk down to the desired level. Make sure you stir constantly or the milk or cheese will burn on the bottom of your pot.
This stuff in the blue box is not ideal for leftovers. In fact, it is the worst. The sauce gets powdery and is just a weird texture. But this one pot mac n cheese tastes SO good reheated. You still have the creamy factor and the flavors have a chance to deepen. I recommend eating the leftovers within 1-2 days and store it properly in the refrigerator.
If you’ve tried this easy homemade macaroni and cheese recipe or any other recipe on Bless this Mess, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories AND add your photo to your comment so that other can see your creation.
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Creamy One Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: serves 4
Description
This One Pot Macaroni and Cheese is so easy! Cook the macaroni right in the milk that's used to make the sauce. Creamy, delicious & ready in 15 minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups whole or 2% milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
- 1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- More salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot add the milk, butter, and macaroni noodles. Turn the burner on to medium and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring often.
- Reduce the heat if the milk seems to stick to the bottom of the pan and stir often until the noodles are cooked though, about 15-18 minutes. Slow and low if your friend here, if you cook this step too fast and hot, the milk will curdle.
- Stir in the cheese and salt until everything is melted.
- Depending on the type and sharpness of cheese you may want to add up to another cup of cheese. Taste it and see. I used a moderately sharp cheddar and liked it at about 1 and ¼ cups of cheese. If I had used something milder I think I would have used more. I've made this a handful of times and each time I seem to use a different amount of cheese, depending on my mood and how much cheese I have in the fridge.
- Serve right away.
Notes
- Don't boil the noodles, just a gentle simmer; the milk will curdle and you'll have a gross texture to your mac and cheese.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove-Top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Serves 4
- Calories: 397
- Sugar: 7.9g
- Sodium: 268mg
- Fat: 18.6g
- Carbohydrates: 39.9g
- Protein: 17.2g
- Cholesterol: 53.9mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, mac n cheese, macaroni and cheese, homemade mac and cheese, best mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese recipe, how to make mac and cheese
Macaroni and Cheese recipes you need to try:
- Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese
- Easy No-bake Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
- Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon
- Meatless Monday Baked Macaroni (dairy free!)
Try my other pasta dishes:
One Pot Macaroni and Cheese is a cinch! In just 15 minutes you will be devouring this creamy, delicious and ultimate comfort food. Enjoy!
Marie
I made this in a Dutch oven and added extra milk and a tempered egg and baked with sprinkled cheese on top. I also added a teaspoon of Dijon mustard because I love the zing. When the noodles were al dented I baked at 350F fo
r 20 minutes and it turned out amazing!
I added egg and baked because I like that custard feeling.
★★★★★
Sparkkel
For ions to kick it up a notch during thin times & cheap boxes of Mac n chz I would add variety of chz I had on hand. Shredded, American chz, Parmesan Romano, crm chz. Always added Big dollop or two of mayo for the church baked Mac n chz casserole taste & creaminess. Pinch of cayenne for taste not heat. Taste better than the blue box 🤣😂😋😋
Patricia keck
Yummy
Toni
Slow and low doesn’t work. This was a curdled mess. Cheese needs to be blended into a smooth sauce not suspended in curds in hot milk. I should have known better.
★
Melissa
I make this all the time with no issues, sorry you had trouble.
Iris Branscum
This was style my Gram cooked...lost..And may I also say: BLESS THE MESS ... is my favorite Prayer. God always supplies my need, Always.
Marie
Maybe the heat was too high? I lowered it and didn't have this problem.
Julie C
I made this with Almond milk and was so pleased with the results - I wasn't sure if I was going to ruin the recipe, but it still turned out delicious. Thanks for another great go-to-meal!
★★★★★
C&T Lavender
Made & loved, thank you for this recipe, warming comfort food. Will make again.
★★★★★
Richard
Did this in microwave to shorten time and it worked out good
doug cochrane
I would hope to use this recipe for canoe tripping. I will be using powdered milk and I am wondering if I can use olive oil (or some other cooking oil) in lieu of butter. Butter is hard to keep when on a canoe trip.
Cheers,
Doug
P.S. I will likely add a dehydrated veggie to this meal as well.
Melissa
The oil would work great and I think taking it on a canoe trip sounds amazing!
Catherine Guinee
mommy Guinee