how to make good mac and cheese on the stove

Want a crunchy topping? Try sautéing panko bread crumbs in a skillet in a little melted butter or olive oil until golden brown.

It adds starches and helps thicken up the sauce and keeps the sauce clinging to the pasta.

If you don’t have mustard powder, substitute 1 tsp prepared mustard (regular or dijon).

Shred it yourself for a nice smooth sauce.

Don’t use pre-shredded cheese or the sauce might end up grainy and gritty.

But I prefer serving it as a side to one of the following main dishes: I’ll admit, sometimes this simple mac and cheese recipe gets served by itself when I’m short on time. You may need to add a splash of milk to thin out the mac and cheese sauce and prevent the pasta from drying out. If you wind up with leftovers of this homemade mac and cheese, I recommend reheating them in a saucepan over low heat. Here we go with cheddar, mozzarella and cream cheese. Use a blend of cheeses for a nice combination of flavor. What’s the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese?

Toss pasta with cheese sauce, thin with pasta water a splash at a time as needed.Returning pan to warm heat as needed to melt fully.Melt in cheddar: Remove saucepan from heat add in the shredded cheeses half at a time, and whisk to melt.

Melt in cream cheese: Reduce heat to low add in cream cheese and whisk until melted.Increase heat slightly, then bring mixture to a low boil whisking constantly. Make the mac and cheese sauce: While whisking slowly pour in milk, add in mustard and garlic powder.Make a roux: while pasta is cooking, in a large saucepan (4 quart) or medium pot melt butter over medium heat then add flour, cook 1 minute whisking constantly.Drain pasta and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Cook pasta: bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, boil pasta to al dente according to package instructions.Here’s what you’ll need to make the silky smooth mac and cheese sauce and pasta: Homemade Mac and Cheese IngredientsĪs promised, this stovetop mac and cheese recipe is super simple to make.

How to make good mac and cheese on the stove