Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

The ultimate comfort menu favorite for my family is macaroni and cheese, and this easy stovetop mac and cheese couldn’t be simpler to make. Just say no to those blue and orange boxes in the grocery aisles. This version is much tastier and uses fresh ingredients and spices. No fluorescent orange here!

What Makes This Recipe a Winner

Let’s face it. We don’t always have the time or desire to spend an hour or two on dinner. Some of our favorite recipes are the simple ones like my easy smokehouse chili con carne. Schedules quickly get jammed full and sometimes you just have to get something on the table fast. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or quality ingredients, even when you’re in a hurry. This recipe only calls for a small handful of ingredients and some spices; your favorite pasta noodles, plain Greek yogurt, good quality cheese, unsalted butter, paprika, chili powder, kosher or sea salt, and Dijon mustard.

In particular, I like Garafolo organic pasta you can find at Costco, cooked al dente in salted water.

And when it comes to cheese, I recommend skipping the cheap cheese you can find in the dairy case. For example, I found Murray’s mac & cheese blend in the deli section and love the blend of cheddar and gouda.

Using a good quality cheese simply elevates the taste and decadence of this dish. Because the cheese is so delish, you can lighten it up otherwise by using nonfat Greek yogurt. Best of all, you can make this recipe in just one pot on your stovetop, the old fashioned way, in literally 15 minutes. Ready to get started?

Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese Ingredients

• 16-ounce package of dry pasta like mini shells, farfalle, or elbows
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher or sea salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 cups high-quality shredded cheese blend

How to Make this Mac and Cheese

• Cook the pasta in salted water to al dente firmness, longer if you like your pasta mushier. Drain.
• Place the same pot back on the stove and melt the butter in it over low heat. Add the pasta back into the pot with the butter, followed by all the ingredients except the shredded cheese.
• Stir thoroughly until well combined.

• Slowly stir in the shredded cheese, one handful at a time, until the cheese is evenly melted and smooth.

This is decadent mac and cheese, gooey and stretchy with that yummy cheese blend!

Best of all, you can serve it up in the same amount of time as that blue box. Try it out and let me know what you think!