Stove top mac and cheese made with white or yellow cheddar is a staple around here.
It's a family favorite dinner or side dish and a quick and easy recipe.
I'm not a fancy cook.
I can cook, it's just not something I enjoy.
If I'm in the kitchen, I'd much rather be crafting than chopping or mixing.
When it comes to prep and taste, I like simple, basic and easy.
So you can bet if I share a recipe, it's going to be quick one. Traditional, family friendly.
And easy to whip up.
My macaroni and cheese recipe is a perfect example.
It's made in a pot, on the stove, no baking involved. It's thick, cheesy and delicious.
It's consistency is similar to Panera's mac and cheese. Although, this is by no means a copycat.
I really don't serve things from a box. If I can't read the ingredients or if something on the list sounds like it was concocted rather than harvested, we don't eat it.
I won't even buy pre-shredded cheese. Ick.
That means there's a little more work involved here, but trust me, it's worth it.
Simple Stove Top Mac and Cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 Pound Pasta
- 8oz Block of Cheddar Cheese - white or yellow
- 1/2 Cup of Heavy Cream (or milk if you like a thinner cheese sauce)
- 3-4 tablespoons Butter
- 3 Tablespoons Flour
- A Pinch of Salt
Directions:
Step one:
I start by boiling the water for the macaroni.
You can use whatever you like, but our favorites are small shells or elbows.
We love pasta recipes around here, so we always have tons to choose from in the kitchen pantry.
Once the water boils, drop the pasta in and cook according to the box.
Step two:
While the pasta cooks, I make the sauce.
I start by shredding the cheese.
You can do this by hand or use an electric tool, that's my favorite. It makes no difference.
Just pick the most comfortable method.
Then I begin melting the butter in a pot over low heat. When it's almost done, I add the heavy cream, flour and salt stirring constantly so nothing burns.
Step three:
Next up, I add the cheese. I drop it in, in small handfuls, again, stirring constantly. Burnt cheese tastes terrible.
Next up, I add the cheese. I drop it in, in small handfuls, again, stirring constantly. Burnt cheese tastes terrible.
That neverending stirring and low heat is this best way to avoid that.
Step four:
When the pasta is done and drained, pour the cheese sauce over it and stir. Again. Until all the pasta is completely coated.
Then you're done!
I don't, but you can add parsley or chives on top.
Like I said, I'm a boring chef.
A basic eater.
And a very easy recipe kind of girl.
😉
What's your cooking style?
Check out these other simple recipes!
Simple Squash Fritters
Easy No Boil Lasagna
No Fuss Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
I need basic! I'm not a clever, exploratory cook!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I'm right there with you, Brenda! :)
DeleteOkay, i peeked at your board and i thought I had pinned every recipe out there but I saw a few that looked new, so I am going to have to repin them. I pin lots of stuff and I go thru stages where I check pinterest a lot and then I not so much. It is fun and I have actually made quire a few recipes with some success.
ReplyDeleteP.S. you can never have too much mac and cheese. My sister has a great crockpot version with corn. simple and quick. Always turns out.
Yum. Your sister's recipe sounds awesome and I bet the corn is a great addition. Everything tastes better slathered in cheese!! ;)
DeleteGood recipes, Kim. I have found that a few things are better on Pinterest than in real life. Did you ever see the Pinstrosity web site? So funny!
ReplyDeleteI have been signed up for Pinterest for a couple of years and just started using it. xo Diana
Oh my gosh, Diana, I just looked that site up and got lost there~ hysterical! THAT is what most of my Pinterest recipes look like! Maybe I like these two so much since they're the only ones I got right! ;)
DeleteHi Kim, I love Pinterest for finding a lit of my recipes I make. The mac and cheese & the pancake recipes look good & healthy. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteYou are a great cook Julie, I love reading about your recipes and your restaurant adventures. I would be that girl sitting next you, eating the iceberg salad and a grilled cheese! Ha!
DeleteI'm definitely headed over to check out your recipe board. Pinterest really is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI am in love with flowers right now, Gina. They are my new pinning obsession! :)
DeleteKim, both of these yummy treats are amazing examples of good ol' comfort food! I made crepes today, and they were perfect with real Canadian maple syrup and cinnamon, and a steaming hot cup of hazelnut coffee!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Poppy
That sounds delicious, Poppy and you're right...they are comfort foods!! That is the best kind as far as I'm concerned!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteYummy board you have. Have you tried the homemade tater tots you have pinned?
Carla
I have not tried them yet, Carla. They are on my list, but truth be told, we haven’t had any leftover mashed potatoes. They seems to disappear before I have a chance to whip these up. They look good though and super easy! Let me know if you give them a whirl.
Delete:)
I'm going to have to save that mac & cheese recipe. I cannot make the stuff for the life of me! My cooking always seems to turn out to be - different than the recipe. lol!
ReplyDeleteNancy, I have a few stovetop mac and cheese recipes, but they all call for several types of cheese and other ingredients I rarely have on hand. This one is so easy, it's hard to turn out differently! :)
DeleteI laughed as I read about you first discovering Pinterest. I was getting a mani/pedi last week and one of the customers was trying to describe Pinterest to another customer. I was surprised that there was anyone who still didn't know what Pinterest was.
ReplyDeleteIf I cooked, I would try your recipes!
Lucky lady! I wish my husband did all the cooking, Carol! It’s so not my thing! :)
DeleteI get you about the pics being better than the recipe! Many times, many times. I love a good basic recipe, too. You can't beat good, simple recipes!
ReplyDeleteSimple is my mantra when it comes to cooking, crafting and DIY, Kimberly! :) I can't really handle anything else!
DeleteI adore Pinterest! The ultimate eye candy. I've a ton of recipes pinned and have yet to try a single one but reading your post I suddenly realized my mistake - I tend to pin the complicated and ambitious rather than the simple and doable. I could easily do both of yours and they look yummy.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
I need to stick to simple, too Amalia! I won't even attempt the complicated pins, especially the recipes...although they are very pretty to look at! :)
DeleteThanks for sharing! I've only become a member of Pinterest recently and I can easily see the potential of being able to save what you like.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot of fun to look at all those pretty pictures, but it can be a time suck! Good luck! Thanks for the visit! :)
DeleteA big pancake fan here too!
ReplyDeleteNow your pinterest food mention had me thinking of a link that a friend sent me the other day ....about pinterest deviled egg baby chicks. http://www.kariapted.com/baby-chicks-from-hell/ It was hilarious so i am including it ...you will get a great laugh! :)
Deb, I am hysterical! Those are the funniest smushed chicks I have ever seen. I love the ones in the middle, where they just gave up! Ha! That’s pretty much what all of my Pinterest recipes look like. You can see why I like these two so much! ;) Thanks for the laugh, it’s good for the soul!
DeleteI'll be right over for pancakes! xoxoxoxoxo Jen PS Love Pinterest for food ideas...always need inspiration! xo Jen
ReplyDeleteCome on over Jen, it's been too long! :)
DeleteI had to laugh about your comment with the ideas from pinterest that just don't seem as well in real life, lol! That is so true! I pin things randomly, but seldom get back to actually doing anything with the ideas. Thanks for sharing your version, and helpful hints with the two recipes that worked for you! I have made my own mac n cheese for years without a recipe. I was taught to make gravy years ago by my MIL, and that basic gravy comes in handy for any recipe needing a "sauce", and then I just add whatever ingredient I need to complement whatever dish I am making - alfredo, mac n cheese, etc. I'm glad this mac n cheese recipe worked for you. Since the butter/flour ratios are equal, this means you could adjust it to make more or less, depending on how sauce much you need. Blessings and hugs to you today :)
ReplyDeleteYour MIL's gravy recipe sounds handy. I have nothing like that and sauce is always a challenge for me...and I do cut this recipe in half sometimes. It makes a lot and we don't always want mac and cheese for a week straight! ;)
DeleteI may be weird but I'm not a fan of pancakes, but mac and cheese? Yes please. Thanks for sharing, I'm always looking for quick and easy recipes.
ReplyDeleteI eat my pancakes plain. I don't use butter or syrup, I bet a lot people think that's weird! :)
DeleteMy spouse enjoys mac and cheese. I enjoy looking at some of my boards, but the ones I like the most are sort of fairytales, or themed, and it saves me money and space on magazines! For some weird reason, I usually only try soup recipes.
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny what we gravitate to, isn't it? I like to look at wedding dresses and home decor. Eye candy! :)
DeleteI have two pinterest pages... one that I went insane with and pinned ALL THE THINGS, that I don't use anymore, and the one I use now. I'm more selective with what I pin now and actually refer back to my pages. Someone suggested reorganizing my old page on there, but it was just easier to start a new one, because I'm lazy lol
ReplyDeleteAs I try recipes, I'm going to erase the ones that suck this time, so if you look at my pinned recipes, I either haven't tried them or they were good.
I love pancakes and mac and cheese, so thank you :)
xo
I should erase the bad ones, too, Rue. I haven't really tried all that many, truth be told. I am more of a looker than a doer when it comes to Pinterest! ;)
DeleteWhat's better than mac and cheese and pancakes! Simple and delicious - just my speed.
ReplyDeleteComfort food at its best, Susan!
DeleteYour pancakes and mac 'n cheese look delicious, Kim. We've eliminated gluten from our diet, otherwise they'd be on my list to try. :) I do like Pinterest. It's really been a help to me in building our cottage. I have a "secret" board where I store products I've found (lighting, hardware, etc.) with prices. Makes it super easy then to go back and choose what I want to purchase. Big time saver! Hugs, Nancy
ReplyDeleteI have a few secret boards, too, Nancy! ;)
DeleteI should probably be over on pin interest after all I hear lots of raving about it. But I doubt I would go back to see what I looked at.....so that's why I haven't bothered- yet.
ReplyDeleteRonda, it’s a fun place to check out, there are so many different things to look at. You could post your weaving there too…there are many pinners with Etsy shops. It’s great exposure!
DeleteReason why breakfast is the best meal of the day. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I agree completely, Lux! :)
Delete