This simple 5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese recipe is the base of all great cheesiness. Eat it straight from the pot or bake it in the oven for an easy baked mac and cheese. Either way, it's delicious!
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I adore mac and cheese. Who doesn't? It's a comfort food classic that's constantly sought after for the perfect recipe.
Among the many out there, this one's my favorite! It strikes the right balance of creaminess without turning into a cheesy soup.
Consider this recipe a base, perfect for adding your own twists and flavors. It's beginner-friendly too, offering the experience and confidence to make mac and cheese from scratch.
Explore the suggestions below for tasty variations to customize your dish. And if you have leftovers (a rarity), try making Mac and Cheese Quesadillas the next day!
For more mac and cheese delights, try my 3 Ingredient Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese, Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole, and Homemade Hamburger Helper.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Buzz From Readers
"I misplaced my go to mac n' cheese recipe so I thought I'd try this one. It is so good and even a tiny bit better than my old recipe and it was easy to make. This may be my new go to:) Thanks for sharing."
- Robert
💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It takes less than 30 minutes. With this fast and simple creamy stovetop mac and cheese recipe, you can have a tasty dish in no time. It's one of our favorite Cheap Family Meals Under $10, and the fact that it's quick makes it a double winner in our books.
- It's ready for anything! Serve it as a main dish or a side dish, and enjoy this quick and easy comfort dish for any occasion!
- Perfect consistency. It's filled with great cheesiness, it's an easy recipe, and it's not too wet or too dry. In my opinion, these things are what make it perfect!
🛒 Ingredients
Butter: Used to start the roux; butter or margarine both work, salted or unsalted.
Milk: Whole or higher-fat milk gives the creamiest sauce. Dairy-free or evaporated milk can work, but texture and flavor will vary.
Shredded Cheese: Sharp cheddar is classic, but any good melting cheese works well
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Seasonings: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, paprika, smoked paprika, mustard, or a pinch of cayenne.
Cheese Options:
- Colby jack for easy melting
- Mozzarella for stretch
- Parmesan for extra bite
- Mix cheeses for deeper flavor
Extra Cheesy: Add up to 1 additional cup of cheese, including leftovers like mozzarella, deli slices, or parmesan.
Texture Adjustments:
- Add milk for a creamier sauce
- Reduce liquid and add more cheese for thicker mac and cheese
Add-Ins & Toppings: Stir in bacon, ham, or roasted vegetables, or top with breadcrumbs or crushed crackers.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use store brands. Store brand pasta, milk, butter, and cheese help keep costs low without sacrificing flavor.
Buy block cheese. Block cheese is usually cheaper than pre shredded and melts better.
Blend cheeses. Stretch pricier cheeses like cheddar by mixing them with more affordable options such as Colby jack or mozzarella.
🥄 Instructions for 5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese
Step 1: Boil noodles according to package directions (Image 1).
Step 2: Drain into a colander and set aside (Image 2).
Step 3: While the noodles are cooking, melt your butter over medium heat in a medium-sized pot (Image 3).
Step 4: Add in the flour (Image 4) and whisk until combined. It will create a few flour lumps. This is okay.
Step 5 Slowly add in the milk and whisk together until smooth (Image 5).
Step 6: Keep whisking until the mixture thickens (about 2-3 minutes) (Image 6).
Step 7: Add in the cheese (Image 7).
Step 8: Continue whisking until it's well-mixed and smooth (Image 8).
Step 9: Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles (Image 9).
Step 10: Stir to combine (Image 10).
Scoop and serve.
Enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
For Baking: Use half the flour so the pasta helps thicken the sauce. Transfer to a baking dish, add extra cheese if desired, and bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes until bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.
Make-Ahead Success: If baking later, rinse cooked pasta under cold water before mixing with the sauce. This slows absorption and keeps the mac and cheese creamy when reheated.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Refrigerate 5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese covered or in an airtight container for 4-5 days.
Freezing: Assemble, cover tightly, and freeze. Bake from frozen or thaw overnight before baking.
Reheating:
- Microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes
- Or reheat covered at 350°F until warmed through
- Add a splash of milk if needed to loosen the sauce
Make Ahead: Prepare up to 1 day in advance. Cook pasta al dente and reduce the flour by half if baking later.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
This 5 Ingredient Macaroni and Cheese is hearty enough to serve as a main dish, especially with bacon bits sprinkled on top or diced ham mixed in. For a complete meal, serve it alongside Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers and Cast Iron Green Beans.
- Meatloaf with Ritz CrackersRecipe $7.59 / Serving $1.27
- Cast Iron Green BeansRecipe $2.34 / Serving $0.39
- Healthy Turkey MeatloafRecipe $5.34 / Serving $1.34
- Honey Mustard Pork ShoulderRecipe $15.13 / Serving $1.51
❓ Recipe FAQs
Oh, that's a tough question! Making mac and cheese with whatever noodles you have on hand can always be a winner with the kids. Even crazy rainbow rotini noodles can be seen as fun and exciting (although I'm not a fan of the color combination). Use whatever is on sale or that you have on hand and you can't go wrong.
Yes, you can! I often find myself using rice noodles when my sister comes over for dinner and I swap out the flour for gluten free flour instead of all-purpose. This would make the dish gluten free (and celiac friendly).
No, you shouldn't need to cover your macaroni when baking it. You want the top to become a nice golden brown color. If you notice the top is getting too dark for your liking, you can gently lay a piece of foil over the top to prevent further browning.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- One Pot Cheeseburger PastaRecipe $10.25 / Serving $1.28
- Lemon Garlic Butter PastaRecipe $2.82 / Serving $0.47
- Instant Pot Chicken SpaghettiRecipe $10.38 / Serving $1.74
- Alfredo Sauce With Cream CheeseRecipe $3.41 / Serving $0.28
🐝 If you tried this 5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 box (16 ounces) elbow noodles - ($0.98)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter - ($0.25)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour - ($0.03)
- 2 cup milk - ($0.40)
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups) - ($1.98)
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles: Prepare the elbow noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Start the Cheese Sauce: While the noodles cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Make the Roux: Whisk the flour into the melted butter until combined. Small lumps are normal at this stage.
- Add the Milk: Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Continue whisking for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and thickened.
- Melt the Cheese: Add the shredded cheese and whisk until fully melted and creamy.
- Combine and Serve: Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked noodles and stir to coat evenly. Serve warm.
Optional Baked Mac and Cheese
- Transfer the prepared mac and cheese to a greased baking dish.Sprinkle additional cheese on top if desired.Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Cheese Options: Use medium or sharp cheddar, Colby jack, mozzarella, or a blend of cheeses for different flavors.
- Seasoning Ideas: Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne to taste.
- Gluten Free Option: Substitute gluten free noodles and gluten free flour if needed.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the mac and cheese in a baking dish, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Storage & Freezing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze in a well covered baking dish for up to 3 months. Thaw before baking or bake from frozen until heated through.
Nutritional Information
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Lori yeske says
I tried it a few times always good add Italian sausage to it or bacon bits
Nancy says
I made this tonight for dinner. First time making it from scratch. It turned out Fantastic!! Thanks for a great recipe.
Nicole Durham says
So happy to hear that! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
Heather Aguirre says
This was so good 😊 Will make again but use a cheese with more flavor. Make sure you add seasoning! It will have no flavor otherwise. I added salt, pepper, chicken bouillon powder, paprika, mustard powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. Delicious 🤤
ROBERT R BYERLEY says
I misplaced my go to mac n' cheese recipe so I thought I'd try this one. It is so good and even a tiny bit better than my old recipe and it was easy to make. This may be my new go to:) Thanks for sharing.
Robert
BeeyondCereal says
I'm so glad you liked it!
S.Luna says
We made it work with shells instead of elbows, used heavy whipping cream & half n half in place of milk. We didn't have cheddar but Mexican blend worked too, added cajun and chipotle seasoning salt and pepper. Overall good base recipe just needed more flavor.
Nicole Durham says
This is a base recipe to customize and make your own, which is sounds like you did. Glad you liked it! 🙂