Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 340 g Elbow macaroni; 60 g Butter; 30 g All-purpose flour; 5 g Salt; 2 g Black pepper; 720 g Milk; 300 g Cheddar cheese; 3000 ml Water

Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese · ready in 25 min · 4 servings · 520 kcal per serving · easy · 8 ingredients

Creamy, comforting macaroni wrapped in a velvety cheddar cheese sauce made right on the stovetop, delivering rich, nostalgic flavor with minimal effort.

Prep: 5 min
Cook: 20 min
Total: 25 min
Serves: 4
kcal: 520
Difficulty: easy

American Main dishes Side dishes Meal prep Quick (30 min or less)Vegetarian

A QiMeal recipe · Updated 3 October 2026

Ingredients · 4 servings

340 gElbow macaroni
60 gButter
30 gAll-purpose flour
5 gSalt
2 gBlack pepper
720 gMilk
300 gCheddar cheese
3000 mlWater

Equipment

stovetop, colander, large pot, saucepan, stirring spoon, whisk, wooden spoon

Instructions

Cook macaroni
Gather all ingredients and equipment, then cook the elbow macaroni in boiling water on the stovetop until tender. · 8 min
What to look for: pasta is tender but not mushy
Make roux
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir in the all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper, then slowly whisk in the milk. · 5 min
What to look for: smooth and pale with no dry flour
Thicken sauce
Cook and stir the milk mixture over medium heat until it becomes bubbly and slightly thickened. · 3 min
What to look for: gentle bubbles and coats the spoon
Melt cheese
Stir the cheddar cheese into the hot sauce a little at a time until fully melted and smooth. · 3 min
What to look for: glossy and creamy with no lumps
Combine and serve
Drain the cooked macaroni, add it to the cheese sauce, stir to coat evenly, and serve warm. · 2 min
What to look for: pasta evenly coated in sauce

Nutrition (per serving)

kcal	520
Protein	20 g
Carbohydrates	52 g
of which sugars	8 g
Fat	26 g
of which saturated	16 g
Fibre	2 g
Sodium	720 mg

Nutri-ScoreD

Allergens

Contains: gluten, milk

Storage and reheating

Fridge: up to 3 days
Freezer: not recommended

Ingredient substitutions

Elbow macaroni

shell pasta: Cooks similarly and holds sauce well.

Butter

margarine: Use a non-hydrogenated version for best flavor.

All-purpose flour

gluten-free flour blend: Choose a blend designed for sauces.

Salt

kosher salt: Adjust to taste.

Black pepper

white pepper: Gives heat without visible specks.

Milk

evaporated milk: Adds extra creaminess.