Easy Stove Top Mac and Cheese

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Creamy macaroni and cheese made on the stove top with cheddar cheese, evaporated milk, and lots of spices plus it’s ready in less than 30 minutes!  This recipe originally posted in November 2011.

A small bowl filled with macaroni and cheese on a green background.

I don’t know about you but whenever I make macaroni and cheese I bake it.   I think it tastes amazing but it takes a while because you have to boil the noodles, mix up the sauce, and then bake it.  A stove top recipe made in under 30 minutes sounded pretty good to me.

For this recipe you will need:
  • elbow macaroni noodles
  • butter
  • egg
  • evaporated milk
  • hot sauce
  • salt and pepper
  • mustard powder
  • nutmeg
  • garlic powder
  • sharp cheddar cheese

Another great thing about this recipe is that it can be made all in one pot.  I started out by boiling the macaroni noodles.  Once they were cooked and drained I returned them to the pot along with the butter and mixed until it had melted.

Pin Image: A skillet filled with macaroni and cheese and a large black spoon in the skillet all on a green background, text overlay, A small bowl filled with macaroni and cheese on a green background.

Meanwhile, I combined the egg, evaporated milk, hot sauce, and seasonings in a bowl and then added it to the macaroni noodles.   After mixing that well it was time for the cheese.

The type of cheese you use is totally up to you.  I used half sharp cheddar and half white Vermont cheddar cheese.   Other great cheeses would be Gruyere, gouda, or cream cheese.  Use what you like best for the taste you are looking for.

Once you add the cheese you simply cook it over low heat until it has melted and the macaroni and cheese is smooth and creamy.  This may be the best macaroni and cheese that I’ve had that isn’t baked in the oven.

A pot full of macaroni and cheese with a large spoonful of it lose to the camera on a green background.

The first bite was delicious.  The mac and cheese was creamy and had a sharp flavor from the cheddar cheese.  I loved the small addition of the hot sauce because it gave the macaroni just a little bit of spice in addition to the other seasonings.  This will definitely be my go to quick macaroni and cheese recipe!

A pot full of macaroni and cheese with a large spoonful of it lose to the camera on a green background.

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Yield: serves 6-8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

 Creamy macaroni and cheese made on the stove top with cheddar cheese, evaporated milk, and lots of spices plus it's ready in less than 30 minutes! 

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. elbow macaroni
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 egg
  • 8 oz. evaporated milk
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 t. salt
  • 1 t. black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 c. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

    1. In a large pot cook the macaroni according to the package directions.  Drain and return to the pot.
    2. Reduce heat to low and add the butter to the macaroni in the pot and toss to coat.
    3. Whisk together the egg, milk, hot sauce, salt, pepper, mustard powder, and nutmeg. Pour over the macaroni noodles and stir until well combined. 
    4. Add in the cheddar cheese and mix until it has melted.  Continue to cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Christine's Kitchen Chronicles

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 334Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 657mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 16g
A small bowl filled with macaroni and cheese with a fork stuck in it from the top left on a green background.

18 Comments

  1. I absolutely love mac and cheese and this gooey recipe! I’d never used evaporated milk or hot sauce in our version and just love how creamy it is and John loved the hot sauce kick. This is our new go-to recipe!

  2. This is such a wonderful, classically creamy mac and cheese recipe! I love the richness the evaporated milk gives it and how easy it is to make on the stovetop without heating the oven.

  3. I just love your Stovetop Mac N Cheese. Simple and tasty, we would really enjoy your recipe. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

  4. We typically make our “stove top” mac & cheese in the rice cooker… but I’ve seen this recipe floating around. Must mean I should give it a try. Can you taste the hot sauce? Or, is it okay to omit it, as we don’t have in our house 😉

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