One Pot Mac and Cheese
- SERVES
- 4
- COOK TIME
- 30 Min
It's a lightning-quick stovetop version of mac and cheese, made with spaghetti; but you can use whatever noodle you'd like. So put some water to boil, because our One Pot Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy, and pretty perfect!
What You'll Need
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups (1 quart) milk
- 6 cups (24 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
What to Do
- In a soup pot, cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain and set aside in colander.
- In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat then stir in flour. Gradually stir in milk and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until thickened, stirring frequently. Add cheese, dry mustard, salt, and pepper and stir for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Add spaghetti and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through, stirring constantly. Serve immediately.
Notes
-
Get the veggie steamer going with broccoli or cauliflower florets and you'll be set for a complete meal!
-
Dinner doesn't get much easier than one-pot meals! For a huge variety of tasty one-dish meals, check out 36 Quick and Easy One-Pot Meals!
- If you liked this kid-friendly recipe, make sure to check out our collection of Top 10 Back-to-School Dinners for Kids.
Read NextAll-in-One Paella
Your Recently Viewed Recipes
Thanks for your comment. Don't forget to share!
kathyjamerson378 8 319652
9 days ago
I made this last night, and it was delicious! Only thing I will do different next time is cut the cheese down to 4 cups instead of 6!
Member 6510633
Nov 03, 2016
For me it felt like something was missing from this recipe. I don't know if I'm used to a more full-flavored mac and cheese, but this tasted really bland to me.
SouthernMaster
Jun 12, 2014
I should have rinsed the pasta, as it turned to glue.
Emilia Rosa
Jul 15, 2021
I can't understand why not rinsing the pasta would make it turn to glue... I make this kind of recipe all the time and never have trouble. Did you follow the ingredients and instructions as related?
kghobbyman 0544480
Dec 29, 2013
For all that may be concerned I just changed the title to say Spaghetti in place of Mac, and for the person that ask for the recipe to be posted for two, just cut the quantities in half and you have what you are looking for.
roseirishrose54 58 92311
Dec 28, 2013
I like adding mustard to some of my pasta recipes it gives it that something extra. Often times I will use spicy brown mustard (already prepared) like Guldens. I made turkey tetrazzinni that was needing a bit of zing and added the Guldens mustard to it and WOW!
jcl2012
Feb 15, 2013
could you please come up with this recipe for 2 people? I'm all alone & your recipe is too much for me. At least cutting down to 2 people I can have leftovers for one more meal. Thanks.
Emilia Rosa
Jul 15, 2021
Mr. Food has a wonderful book with recipes for two people. I concur with the two prior comments, by the way.
hasbgg11 4772769
Sep 02, 2012
I make stove-top for my family using Cheese spread from a jar. I add milk and margarine to make it creamier. The grandkids love it and call it Gramma's Macaroni; even my part Italian granddaughter prefers it to her Nona's pasta.
sumnerlj 2409654
Mar 15, 2015
cheese spread from a jar? I'd suggest checking the ingredients. While the grandkids may like it, is it really healthy?
vermont connie
Sep 01, 2012
as an Irish girl, I don't care what the pasta is call they all are good.
BeckySue
Apr 22, 2016
Agreed! lol You could make this with any shape pasta and it would taste just as good as long as it's cooked al dente. I suppose it's easier to overcook a thin pasta like spaghetti or linguine. This would be good with pasta shells as the sauce would get scooped up in the inside of the shells! MMM! Bettter double the sauce then! lol
yourstruelyt
Aug 31, 2012
No, not all italians call it that,, depends what part of Italy you come from , Speghetti is pasta to me NOT macaroni, Macaroni and pasta is everything else but not speghetti. My family comes from Naples. Rio Del Greccio.
rheacary 9553595
Jul 23, 2012
Man we all here love Mac and Cheese here. and this recipe is very easy to make.
nancy8
Mar 29, 2012
6 cups 24 ounces cheese???
sbtfolk 9317319
Mar 29, 2012
Hi Nancy, Sounds strange, but 24 ozs. of cheese IS 6 cups. Each "cup" of cheese is equal to 4 oz. cheese. So, its 4 oz cheese X 6 = 24 oz. Happy Cookin'!!
nancy8
Aug 31, 2012
I know how much cheese it equals. But that to me is a lot of cheese for 4 servings!
kathyjamerson378 8 319652
9 days ago
It was too much for me and my family. I will cut it to 4 cups next time!
Report Inappropriate Comment
Are you sure you would like to report this comment? It will be flagged for our moderators to take action.
Thank you for taking the time to improve the content on our site.
