Stove-Top Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese– that universal comfort food for kids and adults alike. The problem is I think too many people are easily tempted to buy the stuff in the blue box for obvious convenience reasons. Take a few extra simple steps and create a meal that you can really call comfort food.

This is my quick version of macaroni and cheese that is easily done on the stove top. It is so creamy and so cheesy that you won’t want to buy the box stuff again. Make sure you buy a good quality cheese (I like Cabot Vermont Extra Sharp White Cheddar) and grate it yourself. It really does make all the difference. The pre-grated cheese has stabilizers in it and it just doesn’t melt as nicely.

Enjoy it as a side to your dinner, as a meal buy itself with a simple salad (we enjoy our mac-n-cheese with buttered bread crumbs and slow cooked tomatoes), or pack it in a thermos for those school lunches. It is a real crowd pleaser! So, give it try.

Stove-Top Macaroni and Cheese

By Nicole Prep: 5 minsCook: 20 minsTotal: 25 mins Servings: 4 This stove-top pasta is creamy, cheesy, and oh so easy! Serve it as a delicious side dish or as a comforting main dish meal.

Ingredients 

• ½ pound elbow macaroni, or pasta of your choice
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 extra-large egg yolk
• 6 ounces (about ¾ cup) evaporated milk, whole or 2%
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 10 ounces good sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 ½ cups)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Cayenne pepper, optional

Instructions 

1. In large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta according to the manufacturer's directions. Drain the pasta thoroughly. Return the pot to the stove and over medium heat melt the butter. In a separate bowl whisk together the yolk, evaporated milk and salt. Reduce the heat to low. Pour the mixture into the pot and stir. Add the cheese and continue to stir until it has completely melted. Add the drained pasta and stir to combine. Continue to cook over low heat until good and creamy, about 3-4 minutes. Spoon into a bowl and season with freshly ground black pepper or cayenne pepper if using. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcal, Carbohydrates: 48g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 38g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 157mg, Sodium: 811mg, Potassium: 189mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 1128IU, Calcium: 534mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.