Golden Creamy Stove-Top Mac (Printable Copy)

Rich and creamy stovetop macaroni with velvety cheese and tender pasta for a cozy meal.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk, warmed
05 - 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 2 oz Gruyère or mozzarella cheese, grated
07 - ½ tsp Dijon mustard
08 - ½ tsp garlic powder
09 - ½ tsp onion powder
10 - ¼ tsp paprika
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Toppings

12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
13 - 1 tbsp toasted breadcrumbs

# How to Make:

01 - Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
02 - Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling but not browned.
03 - Gradually whisk in warmed milk, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
04 - Lower heat and stir in grated cheddar and Gruyère or mozzarella until completely melted and smooth. Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
05 - Add drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently to coat evenly.
06 - Transfer to plates and garnish with chopped chives and toasted breadcrumbs if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ultimate cozy comfort food
  • Velvety cheese sauce with tender pasta
02 -
  • For extra creaminess substitute 1/2 cup of the milk with heavy cream
  • For a baked version transfer to a baking dish top with breadcrumbs and broil for 2-3 minutes until golden
03 -
  • Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt and flavor
  • Warm the milk before adding it to avoid lumps in the sauce
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