Extra Creamy Stovetop Mac & Cheese
This extra creamy stovetop mac and cheese is smooth, rich, and ready in about 30 minutes. An easy comfort food recipe the whole family loves.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 574kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated, room temperature
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese freshly grated, room temperature
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni cooked
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt for pasta water
- 1 cup milk heated
- 1 cup heavy cream heated
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened and cut into cubes
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt for sauce
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Grate 2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup Monterey Jack cheeseand let them sit at room temperature while you prepare the pasta. (Tip: It's easiest to grate cheese when it's cold)
- Cook 16 ounces elbow macaroni according to package directions, reducing cook time by 2 minutes. Salt the water with 1 Tablespoon kosher salt. Drain and return to pot.
- If desired, warm the milk and heavy cream in the microwave for about 20 seconds to take the chill off. (I like to do this to ensure creamy sauce.)
- Add 1 cup milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 4 ounces cream cheese, 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, ½ teaspoon white pepper, ½ teaspoon ground mustard powder and ¼ teaspoon onion powder to the pot with the pasta. Cook over low heat, stirring until the cream cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Remove the pot from the heat and add the shredded cheeses in batches, stirring until melted and creamy. (Tip: Stir constantly while melting the cheese to keep the sauce smooth)
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.Serve immediately for the creamiest texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 574kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 1500mg | Potassium: 259mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1156IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 390mg | Iron: 1mg
