No Bake Mac And Cheese

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Best Tips For Perfect No

No Bake Mac and Cheese – 4 Basic Ingredients
  • We have only ever used elbow macaroni for this recipe. I have no idea if other shapes would cook as well.
  • 2% or whole milk works best. I have heard from others that skim or fat free tend to curdle while cooking.
  • The four cups of cheese in the recipe is simply a jumping off point. If I have extra shredded cheese in the fridge, I always use it in this recipe. We love marbled cheddar and Monterey Jack too.
  • Does this freeze well? Yes! Grandma would bake a big pan, allow it to cool, cut it into squares and freeze individual portions for herself.

Tips For The Perfect Dish

  • You can use any type of short pasta, just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. If you use a larger pasta such as penne, you may need to add more liquid to the pot.
  • Skip the bags of pre-shredded cheese and grate your own. The prepared shredded cheeses often contain preservatives and anti caking agents and do not melt smoothly.
  • This is a thick and cheesy mac! If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time until youve reached your desired consistency.
  • The dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Variations Of Mac And Cheese

  • Bacon if you love bacon, feel free to add some crispy, crumbled bacon to the topping, or even inside the mac and cheese as well!
  • Stovetop if youd prefer not to bake this mac and cheese, you dont have to! Make sure you boil your pasta until al dente , and youll only need about 3 3 1/2 cups of cheese total. No need to layer the pasta and cheese, just add all the cheese to the sauce, then combine with the pasta.
  • Different Toppings Im a huge fan of the cheese layer on top, since it gets nice and crispy, but we also love tossing 1 cup of panko with 2 Tbsp of melted butter and using that as a topping. 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers with 2 Tbsp of butter work amazingly well too!
  • Different Baking Times the recipe calls for a lower baking temperature and time, but most of the time I find myself adjusting that based on my familys tastes. I like to bake this mac and cheese at 350 F degrees for 30 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes to get that glorious cheesy crust.

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How To Make It

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Boil macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Melt butter over medium heat and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the heavy cream/milk in splashes, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Add hot sauce and seasonings.

Reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese.

Add the drained macaroni and stir to combine. Serve!

Storage And Reheating Instructions:

No Bake Macaroni and Cheese

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through. You may need to add a scant amount of water to the saucepan to thin out the sauce.

If you like this recipe, you may also be interested in these other macaroni and cheese recipes:

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Making Mac And Cheese Ahead Of Time

  • Make as directed , transfer to baking dish and cool completely. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate 1-2 days ahead.
  • Before baking, let dish sit on counter for 30 minutes.
  • Bake at recipe temperature for 25-35 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

As a caveat, this recipe, as with most mac and cheese recipes, loses some of its creaminess when made ahead. This dish has been tested when made right away, which yields the best results.

I would increase the amount of sauce slightly if you need to make this recipe ahead of time.

How Do You Make Stovetop Mac And Cheese

Start by whisking flour and butter together to make a thickener. Add water and milk to the pot, then stir in uncooked pasta and a variety of spices. Let the pasta simmer until its tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Add two types of cheese, then stir until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately, with a sprinkle of parsley if desired.

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Easy Stovetop Mac And Cheese

Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese is the easiest and most delicious Mac and cheese ever! Ready in just 15 minutes, this is an amazing weeknight dinner for busy families!

Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese is the easiest and most delicious Mac and cheese ever! Ready in just 15 minutes, this is an amazing weeknight dinner for busy families!

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Is it because we have fond memories of the Blue Box as a kid? Possibly. Is it the irresistible cheesiness? Most definitely. While the Blue Box was great back in the day, our tastes have matured to move away from the store-bought mac and cheese. If youve never had made-from-scratch mac and cheese, you are in for a serious treat. We know parents and kids will agree that the real cheddar cheese in this creamy sauce just cant be beat.

Humble Origins Of Macaroni And Cheese

“Instant” Mac & Cheese – One-Pan, No-Bake Mac & Cheese – Food Wishes

In a 14th-century book named Liber de Coquina, pasta and parmesan cheese casserole was recorded. And the modern take of the recipe, which we are most familiar with today, was included in Elizabeth Raffalds 1770 recipe book, The Experienced English Housekeeper.

Raffalds recipe is for a béchamel sauce with cheddar cheese a Mornay sauce in French cooking which is mixed with macaroni, sprinkled with parmesan, and baked until bubbly and golden.

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Make The Cheese Sauce

While the macaroni is cooking, make the cheese sauce. It’s really easy but there are a few notes that we’ll go over to ensure your success!

Make a Roux

This homemade mac and cheese sauce starts with a roux. What is a roux? It’s a mixture of fat and flour that is used to create thick sauces. Start by melting the butter and then adding the dry ingredients .

Use a whisk to combine the ingredients until the mixture is homogenous . Let it cook for about 60 seconds before moving on!

Add wet ingredients.

After the roux has cooked for 60 seconds, add the milk and whisk the mixture really well. Add the sour cream or Greek yogurt and whisk again. At this point the mixture will be fairly runny. Cook over medium heat whisking every 10-15 seconds until the sauce starts to thicken.

Do NOT let this mixture boil! If you do you may end up with a mac and cheese sauce that is too thick. Once the sauce has thickened enough to stick to a spatula, turn the heat to low. Then it’s time for the next step…

Add the cheese & whisk until smooth

Add the cheese and whisk until the sauce is smooth and all the cheese is melted. This will take 1-2 minutes over low heat. At this point it is important to taste the cheese sauce and adjust the salt/garlic according to your tastes!

Baking Mac And Cheese

  • Baking macaroni and cheese is optional. I always bake my mac and cheese further as it tastes so good. But if you dont have an oven or the time, then just mix and serve.
  • Do top with breadcrumbs when baking as they add a lovely crispy and crunchy layer.
  • Feel free to add seasonings, herbs and spices of your choice. I keep it simple with crushed black pepper and a bit of ground nutmeg. A dash of mustard powder also perks up the flavor.
  • To add some fiber and extra nutrition to in the dish, simply mix in some steamed veggies.

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How Do You Make Macaroni And Cheese Without Boiling The Noodles First

Start by preheating oven to 350°F.

Then grease a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Layer the uncooked elbow macaroni noodles in the bottom of the baking dish.

Cover the pasta with whole milk, salt, pepper, and half the shredded cheese.

Stir to mix the ingredients together in the dish.

Bake in the oven for 35 minutes, then remove the pan from the oven and stir the pasta to keep it from sticking.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and return to the oven to cook an additional 25 minutes.

The macaroni and cheese is ready when the cheese on top is melted and the pasta is tender.

Will The Macaroni Cook In The Oven

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Not pre-boiling the pasta before baking might seem very foreign to a lot of people. I can only speak from personal experience. Between my grandma making it and me, this recipe has probably been made hundreds of time, and neither one of us ever had an issue with the elbows not coming out perfectly cooked every single time. They boil in the milk, and the casserole sets up with no issue. I’ve shared the recipe with others who have also not had any problems, so in my world the answer is yes it will!

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Tips How To Make No Bake Macaroni

  • I used Filipino style tomato sauce and banana ketchup to make the sweet style sauce. You may use other store-bought spaghetti sauce.
  • Adjust the condensed milk according to the sweetness that you prefer.
  • While the cream sauce is still hot, pour it on top of the macaroni then immediately sprinkle the quick melt cheese. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted. You may also cover it with aluminum foil or microwave for at least 2 minutes.

You see, good food can be made by anyone. If you think gourmet-like cuisine can only be achieved with the use of expensive cooking equipment, this no bake macaroni recipe is proof that the opposite happens. That you can still make good food even with practicality.

How To Make Mac And Cheese Without Boiling Water

This recipe makes 6 servings. It takes about 5 minutes to prepare and about 60 minutes of cooking time.

To make this no boil mac and cheese recipe, you will need a few basic ingredients:

  • Elbow macaroni
  • Whole milk
  • Salt & pepper

Full measurements for the ingredients are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

For this recipe, you will use sharp cheddar cheese. You can use any cheese that you prefer. If you want a milder flavor, go with a medium or mild cheddar. Fontina is also a great melting cheese.

I recommend shredding your own cheese for this recipe, but you can use bagged shredded cheese to save time if needed.

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What Kind Of Cheese Is Best For Macaroni And Cheese

Classic mac and cheese is made with a good sharp cheddar cheese. Feel free to switch things up and use another kind of cheese, or a combination of cheeses. Just make sure that whatever you choose, it is a good melting cheese.

Also, if you want an even creamier mac and cheese, use half cheddar, and half gouda or fontina.

Key #: Use Evaporated Milk

No-Bake Macaroni and Cheese | Emeril Lagasse

The second big key was to use evaporated milk as the base liquid. Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micellesbundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agentswhich help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

To make two servings, just think in sixes. All you’ve got to do is cook six ounces of dry pasta until the water is almost absorbed and the pasta is just shy of al dente , then add six ounces of evaporated milk and six ounces of grated cheddar cheese . Stir it all together until it’s creamy and emulsified, and you’re ready to eat.

Wasn’t that easy?

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Now, normally I do all my research on existing recipes before I start working on my own version. This time, I was so excited to get into the kitchen that I completely neglected to do so until afterward. Good thing I eventually did, too, because it turns out that there are quite a few similar recipes out there. Many call for cooking pasta directly in milk, a technique that works okay, but it can lead to scorching if you’re not super careful with stirring. I prefer the evaporated-milk route because it ensures a clean pan with no burnt bits on the bottom.

Of course, it also turns out that Pillsbury has a recipe that’s almost completely identical, save for a few differences . Looks like I’ve got more in common with the Doughboy than just an overly poke-able belly.

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Yeah, I thought so.*

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Macaroni And Cheese: Main Or Side Dish

Let’s get this debate out of the way right now! I never realized how strongly people feel about this until recently. It’s one of those discussions that doesn’t even seem to have middle ground. You either think of macaroni and cheese as a side dish and nothing else, or are willing to call it a main dish, depending on the version. I fall into the latter category.

Let me explain: I would never make a box of macaroni and cheese and call it supper. However, when I make this easy mac and cheese recipe? It’s a main dish in our house. I add a veggie and some fruit on the side and call it supper. If you think that concept is down right crazy, call it “baked pasta with cheese” and nobody will question it! Can it be served as a side dish? Absolutely!!! It would be terrific with any meal you love mac and cheese with, and if it’s something that usually makes an appearance on your holiday table, your life just got easier.

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Stovetop Macaroni And Cheese

A silky, glossy cheese sauce with tender, never mushy macaroni in just 20 minutes!

This stovetop Macaroni and Cheese is a perfect classic and it just happens to be made in one pot. Butter, flour, pasta, milk, cheese and a few seasonings is all you need to make this epic classic thats on the table super quick!

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Season With Salt And Pepper

Season your mac and cheese with salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Mix well.

You can garnish your macaroni and cheese with parsley flakes or any other herbs for additional flavor. Enjoy this cheesy, gooey mac and cheese for a more fun and satisfying game day!

If youre looking for a homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe, check this out!

Tips:

  • If you want your mac and cheese dish to have a nice, savory taste, add fried bacon to it. Fry the bacon until its crisp. Cut it into small pieces then sprinkle them on top of the mac and cheese.
  • You can also serve this no-bake mac and cheese with garlic bread or any other type of bread.

Check out this video tutorial below to see this no-bake mac and cheese recipe from TheCooknShare in action:

This no-bake macaroni and cheese recipe is by far the easiest and fastest one to make. Its the perfect dish to whip up when youre home and playing your favorite games. With only four main ingredients and a few easy steps, you can enjoy a tasty homemade macaroni and cheese. If you want more flavor, you can always add seasonings and extra toppings. I know a lot of mac and cheese recipes, but this one is guaranteed to be one of the best-tasting recipes out there!

Do you know other simple no-bake recipes? Wed love to hear from you in the comments section below!

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Stovetop Mac And Cheese

No Bake Mac And Cheese Recipe

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This truly is the BEST stovetop mac and cheese recipe! It only requires one pot , its ready to go in about 20 minutes from start to finish, and its perfectly creamy and cheesy and delicious.

This weekend, Barclay and I went to a food festival here in Barcelona that was fabulously, deliciously, entirely devoted to CHEESE.

And it was just about the best thing ever.

Literally everywhere you turned, ooey gooey cheesy dishes were being served. And youd better believe we took full advantage of them. From freshly-scraped raclette toasts, to the most amazing Korean-inspired mushroom grilled cheese sandwiches, to Spanish onion and smoked cheese soup, to vegan Mexican cheesy quesadillas, to the best ricotta Ive ever sampled, to the most dreamy Italian gyoza-ish dumplings filled with potato and cheese and served in a pecorino-sage saucethe day was all of our cheesiest dreams come true. And we left feeling so happy. And soooo full, ha.

That said, there was one dish notably missing at the festival. But, it just so happens that Ive been on a mission this month to nail down my all-time favorite recipe for it. So yesterday, we decided to round out our cheesy weekend by taste-testing a final version of this recipe. And ohhh guys, I think weve got it. Im humbly calling it

The Best Stovetop Mac and Cheese recipe. Ever.

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White Pepper Vs Black Pepper:

White pepper and black pepper are both the fruit of the pepper plant. They are processed differently which causes the change in color, and end up tasting slightly different. White pepper is hotter than black pepper, but black pepper has a more complex flavor. White pepper tends to have more floral and earthy notes to it.

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