Stovetop Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe - Pumpkin 'N Spice (2025)

This Creamy Mac and Cheese takes just minutes to prepare on the stovetop, contains two types of cheese, and is creamy, hearty, and delicious!

You’ll also love this Instant Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese, Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mac and Cheese, and Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese!

Stovetop Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe - Pumpkin 'N Spice (1)

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 chili and 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.

Stovetop Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe - Pumpkin 'N Spice (2)

Ingredients for Creamy Mac and Cheese

Want 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:

  • Cavatappi shells
  • Unsalted butter
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt and pepper
  • Milk
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese

How to Make Creamy Mac and Cheese

It’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:

  1. Cook the noodles to al dente, drain and set aside.
  2. Now comes the fun part, making the creamy cheese sauce. Melt some butter in a large pot and then whisk in some flour, salt, and pepper.
  3. Slowly add in some heavy cream and milk, cooking until it bubbles. We’re going for rich and creamy macaroni and cheese, so the heavy cream is necessary!
  4. Then reduce the heat to low and add in some shredded sharp cheddar cheese and shredded mozarella cheese.
  5. Stir until melted and then add the cavatappi noodles to pot. Stir until the noodles are coated and then let sit for 5 minutes to thicken up.
Stovetop Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe - Pumpkin 'N Spice (3)

How to Reheat Mac and Cheese

If 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 Try

This 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:

  • Use gluten-free pasta.It’s easy to swap out the regular pasta for a gluten-free version!
  • Add veggies.Trying to sneak more vegetables into your diet? Stir in frozen (thawed) peas, sautéed veggies, you name it!
  • Add bacon.Cooked, crumbled bacon takes this ultra creamy mac and cheese over the top.
  • Use different cheeses.I typically pair one flavorful cheese (cheddar) with one super melty cheese (mozzarella). Use what you have on hand.
  • Use all milk.Don’t have heavy cream on hand or don’t want to use it? Just use all milk! Keep in mind that omitting the heavy cream will result in a less creamy cheese sauce.
Stovetop Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe - Pumpkin 'N Spice (4)

What to Serve with Mac and Cheese

Enjoy 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:

  • Honey Garlic Chicken Legs
  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Panini
  • Lemon Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
  • Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork
  • Baked Salsa Chicken
  • Honey Balsamic Chicken
  • Ham and Avocado Open-Faced Sandwich

Tips for Making Stovetop Mac and Cheese

  • I prefer using a blend of shredded cheddar and mozzarella in my creamy stovetop mac and cheese, but you’re welcome to use any cheese you have on hand.
  • To add more flavor to this mac ‘n cheese, I like to add 2 teaspoons of garlic powder and a dash of paprika or ground nutmeg.
  • Looking for a more distinct cheesy taste? Use ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan or cheddar jack cheese, ¾ cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar.
  • Note that you can use any milk you’d like in this homemade mac and cheese recipe. If you use a non-dairy milk, double check that it’s unsweetened and unflavored first.

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!

  • Meatball Mac and Cheese
  • Roasted Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes
  • Roasted Lemon Parmesan Asparagus
  • Roasted Mushrooms with Garlic and Rosemary
  • Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Video Tutorial

Stovetop Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe - Pumpkin 'N Spice (5)

4.66 from 41 ratings

Creamy Mac and Cheese

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

ThisCreamy Mac and Cheesetakes just minutes to prepare on the stovetop, contains two types of cheese, and is creamy, hearty, and delicious!

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound cavatappi shells
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour, (SEE NOTE BELOW)
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup milk, , any kind (I used 2%)
  • cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

Equipment

Instructions

  • In a large pot, cook noodles in boil water until al dente, per packaged directions. Drain and set aside.

  • In a medium pot, melt butter. Then whisk in flour (see note below), salt, and pepper.

  • Slowly add milk and heavy cream, whisking until combined. Heat mixture until it bubbles over medium heat.

  • Reduce heat to low and add in cheeses. Stir until melted. Add pasta to cheese mixture and toss to combine. If mixture is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons more milk and go from there.

  • Let macaroni and cheese sit for 5 minutes to thicken.

Notes

  • Some readers have said that ½ cup of flour is too much, while others love this mac ‘n cheese with the ½ cup of flour. If you feel this is too much, decrease the amount of flour to ¼ cup.
  • To add more flavor to this mac ‘n cheese, I like to add 2 teaspoons of garlic powder and a dash of paprika or ground nutmeg.
  • Looking for a more distinct cheesy taste? Use ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan or cheddar jack cheese, ¾ cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar.
  • See my tips and tricks for making this Creamy Macaroni and Cheese above the recipe box.

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

Cuisine: American

Course: Side Dish

Author: Gayle

Did you make this recipe?Let me know! Mention @pumpkin_n_spice on Instagram or tag #pumpkin_n_spice.

**Recipe from 1/2015. Photos updated 8/2020**

Stovetop Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe - Pumpkin 'N Spice (2025)

FAQs

Can you use heavy cream in mac and cheese instead of milk? ›

To make mac and cheese without milk, the best choice is to find something that has a similar texture and a milk flavor. Things like heavy cream, almond milk, oat milk, yogurt, cream cheese, and even pasta water all work very well in boxed mac and cheese.

How do you keep homemade mac and cheese creamy? ›

Add more milk if you haven't already. More milk leads to less dry mac and cheese. If that doesn't work and you've already tried, use a different type of cheese. Velveeta works well.

Why isn't my mac and cheese sauce creamy? ›

Pro Tip: Don't use pre-shredded cheese. Many store-bought shredded cheese brands coat their cheese with an anti-caking agent than can make sauces grainy and less creamy. While it requires a bit of an arm workout, grating your own yields the best texture.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

Is milk or evaporated milk better for mac and cheese? ›

Key #2: Use Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

What happens if I use milk instead of heavy cream? ›

You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe. This substitute is especially useful in cooking, but it may alter the texture of baked goods and will not whip as well as heavy cream.

What are the three best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? Yes, adding more cheese than a recipe calls for will not improve the dish. Too much cheese will result in a dish that is heavy and greasy.

How to make mac and cheese creamy again? ›

The #1 secret to creamy reheated mac and cheese

"Stir in about 2 Tbs. of milk per 1 cup of mac and cheese and reheat," he says. The milk loosens up the pasta and helps create the creamy sauce as it's reheating. Heavy cream works well in this case too and adds an extra touch of richness to the mac and cheese.

How to melt cheese so it's creamy? ›

How to Melt Cheese
  1. 6 steps to successfully melt cheese for recipes & more.
  2. Start with a Mild or Sharp Cheddar. ...
  3. Shred the Cheese. ...
  4. Start with a roux and make a bechamel sauce. ...
  5. Add cheese and melt until blended. ...
  6. Watch Closely & Stir Often. ...
  7. Remove from Heat.

What can I use instead of milk in macaroni and cheese? ›

10 Substitutes For Milk In Mac And Cheese
  1. Almond Milk. Almond milk is a popular plant-based milk that's a great substitute for regular cow's milk. ...
  2. Soy Milk. Soy milk is another popular dairy-free milk option. ...
  3. Oat Milk. ...
  4. Coconut milk. ...
  5. Rice Milk. ...
  6. Cashew Milk. ...
  7. Hemp Seed Milk. ...
  8. Chicken Broth.
Jul 17, 2023

Can you use heavy cream instead of milk to make cheese? ›

Instead of just whole milk, you could use a 1:1 ration of whole milk and heavy cream or even JUST heavy cream for creamier cheese. However, this will also affect the fat content.

Is half-and-half or heavy cream better for mac and cheese? ›

Other examples where you can use half-and-half and heavy cream interchangeably include mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, chicken pot pie and bread pudding (keep in mind that heavy cream will yield a richer dish whereas half-and-half will create an end product that's not as rich, which may be desirable in some cases ...

How much cream cheese instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

You can replace the milk in your mac and cheese recipe with equal parts cream cheese. Because of its consistency, you could leave out the butter in your recipe, but that's up to you. This will give you a very thick, creamy sauce. You might want to consider melting your cream cheese before adding it to your sauce.

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