Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Name: Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni (or shells/cavatappi); 4 tbsp butter; 4 tbsp flour; 2 ½ cups whole milk; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar; 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for stretch/creaminess); 1 tsp salt (plus for pasta water); ½ tsp black pepper; ½ tsp smoked paprika (great with pulled pork); ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp mustard powder (secret weapon for depth)

5 steps

Prep:15minCook:30min

Updated at: Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:14:25 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

Moderate

Glycemic Load

High

Nutrition per serving

Calories609.5 kcal (30%)

Total Fat34.7 g (50%)

Carbs51.1 g (20%)

Sugars6.2 g (7%)

Protein23 g (46%)

Sodium627.8 mg (31%)

Fiber2 g (7%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

8 servings

1 lbelbow macaroni

or shells/cavatappi

4 Tbspbutter

4 Tbspflour

2 ½ cupswhole milk

1 cupheavy cream

2 ½ cupsshredded sharp cheddar

1 cupshredded mozzarella

for stretch/creaminess

1 tspsalt

plus for pasta water

½ tspblack pepper

½ tspsmoked paprika

great with pulled pork

½ tspgarlic powder

½ tspmustard powder

secret weapon for depth

Instructions

Step 1

1. Cook the pasta. Boil in well-salted water. Cook just to al dente. Drain and set aside

Step 2

2. Make a roux (this is the base). In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour → cook 1–2 minutes (don’t brown it)

Step 3

3. Build the sauce. Slowly whisk in milk (and cream if using) and let it thicken (3–5 minutes). You want a smooth, slightly thick sauce

Step 4

4. Add flavor + cheese. Stir in: salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, mustard powder, Reduce heat to low. Add cheese gradually, stirring until melted

Step 5

5. Combine. Add pasta back in. Stir until everything is coated and creamy