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Deselect All 1 pound elbow macaroni 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 pound sharp Cheddar cheese Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 cups milk 2 cups heavy cream
Categories:This Creamy Mac and Cheese takes just minutes to prepare on the stovetop, contains two types of cheese, and is creamy, hearty, and delicious! Even though winter and I aren’t the best of friends, it does bring me joy within the kitchen. Sounds strange, but the cold weather gives me the perfect excuse to whip up some delicious and hearty meals. Not that I don’t do this in the warmer months, but with the weather being frigid, I get creative with those foods that warm you right up and make you forget about the cold and snow. While no bean chiliand soup rank right up there with some of my favorite dishes, some other meals that scream comfort food are this chicken pesto pasta and spinach and mushroom pasta. Can you tell that I’m a sucker for decadent pasta dishes? And nothing screams comfort food more than those dishes and this creamy mac and cheese. Since I’m all about foods that take just minutes to prepare during the week, while accompanying that comfort food appeal, homemade creamy mac and cheese was the first food that I thought of. Ingredients for Creamy Mac and CheeseWant to know the secret to making super creamy cheese sauce for mac and cheese? Heavy cream! And good quality cheese, of course. Yep, I made this mac and cheese with heavy cream because when I make mac and cheese I go all out! To make this homemade creamy mac and cheese, you’ll need the following:
How to Make Creamy Mac and CheeseIt’s incredibly easy to make creamy stovetop mac and cheese, provided you use the right ingredients and ratios. Here are the basic steps for making the creamiest mac and cheese:
How to Reheat Mac and CheeseIf you wind up with leftovers of this creamy mac and cheese recipe, I recommend reheating them in a saucepan with a splash of milk or cream.Pop the lid onto the saucepan and reheat over low heat so the pasta doesn’t dry out. Can You Freeze Mac and Cheese?Absolutely! This homemade creamy mac and cheese freezes well.I recommend freezing this stovetop mac and cheese in small containers so you can thaw one serving at a time. What’s the Best Pasta for Mac and Cheese?I chose to use cavatappi noodles, as I love the shape and thickness of them. But feel free to use whatever type of noodle you have on hand. Recipe Variations to TryThis recipe for creamy mac and cheese is perfect as is, but you can switch up the ingredients as desired. Here are some variations you can try the next time you make this recipe:
What to Serve with Mac and CheeseEnjoy your super creamy mac and cheese as a main, or serve it as a side. Here are some of my favorite dishes to pair with homemade mac and cheese:
Tips for Making Stovetop Mac and Cheese
This creamy stovetop mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food meal, friends! So perfect for a cold winter night when you want something quick, easy, and delicious! Looking for more side dish recipes? I’ve got you covered!
Video TutorialThis Creamy Mac and Cheese takes just minutes to prepare on the stovetop, contains two types of cheese, and is creamy, hearty, and delicious! Course Side Dish Cuisine American Keyword macaroni and cheese recipe, stove top recipe Prep Time 20 minutes Cook Time 15 minutes Total Time 35 minutes Servings 6 Calories 467.59kcal
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 467.59kcal | Carbohydrates: 36.03g | Protein: 12.22g | Fat: 30.71g | Saturated Fat: 18.79g | Cholesterol: 101.68mg | Sodium: 349.71mg | Potassium: 188.47mg | Fiber: 1.39g | Sugar: 3.28g | Vitamin A: 1113.71IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 174.61mg | Iron: 0.82mg **Recipe from 1/2015. Photos updated 8/2020** Stay in the loop! Subscribe for all the latest recipesCan I use heavy cream instead of milk for mac and cheese?Heavy whipping cream (or half and half) is the perfect substitute for milk in mac and cheese. This is actually a great option! The thicker consistency will produce a dreamy, creamy sauce that everyone will love. The flavor is bolder and richer, too, and you may enjoy it more than the original.
Which is better evaporated milk or heavy whipping cream in baked mac and cheese?Evaporated milk has more protein than regular milk, but less fat than heavy cream, which gives this easy baked macaroni and cheese a thick, creamy filling without too much greasiness.
Is heavy cream the same as heavy whipping cream for mac and cheese?The main difference between heavy cream vs whipping cream is the fat content of each. Heavy cream has over 36% of fat, while whipping cream has between 30% to 36%. Heavy cream is better suited to when you need a thickener in a soup or sauce, or a thicker whipped cream filling.
Can I use heavy whipping cream instead of half and half in mac and cheese?For the most part, half-and-half and heavy cream are interchangeable. Using half-and-half in place of heavy cream can lighten up a pot of clam chowder without any major consequences, and on the flipside, a drizzle of cream in lieu of half-and-half can add extra richness to a dish of macaroni and cheese.
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