Description
Skip the oven and dive into the creamiest *one pot mac and cheese* you’ll ever taste. This easy recipe is made entirely on the stovetop, combining elbow macaroni, milk, broth, and a dreamy trio of cheeses into a rich, smooth sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food—perfect as a quick dinner, hearty lunch, or a cozy side dish for the whole family. Whether you’re craving a *quick weeknight meal*, *easy dinner idea*, or a satisfying *food idea* for a crowd, this dish has it all. And the best part? Minimal cleanup. No baking. Just pure cheesy magic in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni
2 cups whole milk
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
4 ounces cream cheese
1 cup Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. In a large pot, combine the elbow macaroni, milk, and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
2. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
3. Stir in butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the butter melts and the pasta is coated.
4. Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese and stir until smooth and fully melted.
5. Gradually mix in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Stir constantly until everything is melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
6. Remove from heat and let the pot sit for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken and cling to the pasta beautifully.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest sauce—pre-shredded tends to clump.
Add a splash of milk when reheating to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: one pot pasta, creamy mac and cheese, stovetop mac and cheese, easy recipe, comfort food