# Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

This easy, homemade mac and cheese is made with simple ingredients, and only takes 20 minutes to make on the stove.

- Total time: 20 min
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or similar type pasta)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole or 2% milk (warmed in the microwave for 1 min)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1.5 tsp onion powder
- 1.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp ground mustard
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup freshly shredded pepper jack cheese

## Instructions

1. Shred your cheese; here, sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack cheese are used, but you can use any cheese combo you prefer.
2. Pour your macaroni noodles into a pot of lightly salted boiling water and cook until al dente.
3. Add three tablespoons of unsalted butter to a large pot and cook until completely melted.
4. Add in the flour and whisk over medium heat for about one to two minutes until the mixture becomes a light brown.
5. Using a glass measuring cup, add in your milk that has been warmed in the microwave into the pot a little bit at a time and whisk until smooth and creamy.
6. Add in your seasonings to include salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground mustard.
7. Stir until evenly combined and continue to cook your mixture over medium-high heat for about 5-6 minutes, stirring regularly until the sauce thickens and bubbles.
8. Add in all of your shredded cheeses one at a time and whisk until smooth and melted.
9. Once your cheese sauce is smooth and creamy, turn off the heat and add in your pasta.
10. Stir your noodles in your mixture until evenly combined.

## Equipment

- Box Cheese Grater or Electric Cheese Grater
- Cutting Board
- Large Pot with Lid
- Saucepan
- Colander Strainer
- Rubber Spatula
- Whisk
- Glass Measuring Cup
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons

## Tips

- You can use any cheese combo you prefer.
- Adding in your milk a little bit at a time helps smooth out any lumps and makes the mac and cheese ultra creamy.
- Add 1/2 tsp more ground mustard if you want more of a kick.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBD3ouaeiuw
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/cf284cb5-d88b-4ad2-a2e9-09a5c1600f38
- Extracted: 2026-07-04

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt