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    Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

    Published: Apr 30, 2020 Modified: Oct 18, 2023 by Nicole Durham This post may contain affiliate links.

    5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese

    Jump to Recipe

    This simple 5 ingredient macaroni 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!

    a creamy bowl filled with 5 ingredient mac and cheese with some scattered elbow noodles around it.

    I love mac and cheese; I mean, who doesn't? It's a comfort dish that gets thousands of searches per month as people seek out the perfect recipe.

    I love this one best, though! It's just creamy and smooth enough to taste great while not making a pile of cheesy soup on my plate.

    This recipe is meant as a "base recipe" meaning it's perfect or adding your own flavorful variations and twists. If you've never made mac and cheese from scratch before, this is the perfect recipe for getting the experience and confidence needed.

    Check out all of the flavorful suggestions below for delicious ways you can customize your mac and cheese.

    And don't forget that you can even turn the leftovers (assuming there are any) into some tasty Mac and Cheese Quesadillas the next day!

    For more mac and cheese recipes, check out my 3 Ingredient Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese, Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole, and Easy Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet.

    Jump to:
    • 🍯 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🧂Seasonings
    • 🧀What cheeses to use
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • 🥗 Side Dishes
    • ⏲️Make Ahead Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Storage
    • 💭 FAQs
    • ❤️ More Delicious Pasta Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍯 Why This Recipe Works

    1. 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.
    2. 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!
    3. 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

    labeled photo of ingredients needed to make 5 ingredient mac and cheese.

    Ingredient Notes:

    Butter- You'll need to use butter (although margarine works too) to start the homemade roux sauce. You can use salted or unsalted butter, depending on what you have on hand.

    Shredded Cheese- I like to use sharp cheddar cheese, but any good melting cheese works perfectly here!

    Milk- To make the sauce smooth and creamy, use a fattier milk. Unsweetened almond milk, evaporated milk, or even soy milk may be used in a pinch, but it just doesn't feel the same.

    For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.

    🧂Seasonings

    This mac and cheese recipe is very basic and plain because it's a great BASE recipe to build up from. Perfect for first time cooks or those wanting to add their own flavor spin to things.

    Adding salt and pepper is a personal preference, and these noodles should be seasoned to taste.

    Sometimes I like to add a few dashes of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce. Not enough to make them spicy, but just enough to add in a little color and help bring the flavors of everything out that much more (like an enhancer).

    You can add in or change up the flavors however you wish. For a quick reference of ideas, feel free to add in some:

    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Cayenne powder
    • Salt
    • Black pepper
    • Paprika
    • Smoked paprika
    • Ground mustard

    🧀What cheeses to use

    I personally love medium or sharp cheddar cheese in my mac and cheese recipes. They give that strong flavor and color that I like to look for. That said, you can use any cheese you prefer (or a mixture of cheeses).

    Colby jack, mozzarella, and other shreddable cheese work great depending on the flavor and color you're looking for.

    📖 Variations

    Add in up to another cup of cheese for a richer taste if that's what you'd like. You can even combine different cheeses into the sauce. I often use 8 ounces of cheddar cheese in the sauce and then add in random bits of unused cheese from the week prior.

    Meaning I could have 8 ounces of cheddar, a few slices of deli cheese, a chunk of mozzarella, or a handful of shredded parmesan in my sauce. This is one of my favorite ways to use up random cheeses!

    🔪 Instructions

    pot of water and elbow noodles.

    Step 1: Boil noodles according to package directions.

    cooked noodles drained and resting in a metal colander.

    Step 2: Drain into a colander and set aside.

    melting butter in a medium sized pot.

    Step 3: While the noodles are cooking, melt your butter over medium heat in a medium-sized pot.

    flour added to melted butter in a medium sized pot.

    Step 4: Add in the flour and whisk until combined. It will create a few flour lumps. This is okay.

    milk added to flour and butter mixture to make a roux. whisk in pot as well.

    Step 5 Slowly add in the milk and whisk together until smooth.

    roux sauce in a medium sized pot with a metal whisk.

    Step 6: Keep whisking until the mixture thickens (about 2-3 minutes).

    cheese added to roux sauce in a medium sized pot with a whisk.

    Step 7: Add in the cheese.

    cooked cheese sauce in a medium sized pot with a whisk.

    Step 8: Continue whisking until it's well-mixed and smooth.

    cheese sauce added to a pot filled with cooked and drained elbow noodles.

    Step 9: Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles.

    5 ingredient mac and cheese fully assembled in a large pot.

    Step 10: Stir to combine.

    Scoop and serve.

    Enjoy!

    a bowl filled with 5 ingredient mac and cheese.

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    How to bake macaroni and cheese in the oven

    These cheesy noodles taste great baked or from the stovetop. If you plan on baking it, use half of the requested flour because the noodle starches will help the sauce thicken. If you serve it from the stovetop, it's perfect as-is.

    Place the cheesy noodles in a baking dish and then top with additional cheese (optional). Bake in the oven at 350F degrees for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

    🥗 Side Dishes

    This recipe tastes incredible as a main dish on its own (especially if you sprinkle little bacon bits on top or mix diced ham into the noodles!

    Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers and Cast Iron Green Beans are some great dishes to serve alongside this creamy macaroni recipe!

    ⏲️Make Ahead Instructions

    If you plan on making it in advance (like a few hours or a day in advance of dinner), you'll want to keep it covered in the fridge until you're ready to heat and eat. In this case, I'd keep it in a covered baking dish and heat it in the oven because it's super simple to do.

    Also, make sure to reduce the flour in the sauce by half (so only use 2 tablespoons) and cook the pasta until al dente, so it doesn't become too soft before serving.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Storage

    Fridge

    Mac and cheese can be left well covered or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 or 5 days in the fridge. You can reheat it a single serving at a time on a plate in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes.

    Freezer

    This is a great dish to make and freeze for future meals! Simply make it as directed and then place it in a freezer friendly baking dish, covered in the freezer, until you're ready to eat.

    You can bake it from frozen or let it thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for a few hours before baking.

    💭 FAQs

    What noodle shape is best?

    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.

    Can I use gluten free noodles?

    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).

    Should you cover mac and cheese when cooking?

    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.

    a bowl filled with creamy 5 ingredient mac and cheese.

    ❤️ More Delicious Pasta Recipes

    • a bowl filled with cheddar bacon ranch pasta salad.
      Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
    • a bowl of lemon garlic butter pasta garnished with parsley.
      Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta
    • roasted garlic and tomato pasta with chicken and a pile of green beans and lemon slice in back.
      Creamy Roasted Garlic and Tomato Pasta
    • penne pasta with alfredo sauce and fresh parsley.
      Cream Cheese Alfredo Sauce

    If you tried 5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!

    📖 Recipe

    a bowl of creamy 5 ingredient mac and cheese.
    Print Recipe
    4.58 from 7 votes

    5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese

    A delicious and cheesy comfort dish that the whole family will enjoy! Serve it as a main dish or side dish. It's a fast and simple either way!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 322kcal
    Cost Recipe $3.57 / Serving $0.38
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Whisk
    • Medium-sized pot
    • Colander
    • Large Pot
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces Cheddar Cheese (2 cups) ($1.99)
    • 1 box (16oz) elbow noodles ($1.00)
    • 2 cup Milk ($0.38)
    • ¼ cup All purpose flour ($0.02)
    • 2 Tablespoons Butter ($0.18)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Make the noodles according to the package directions, drain and then set aside.
    • While the noodles are cooking, begin making your cheese sauce. In a small sauce pot, melt your butter over medium heat.
    • Add in the flour and then whisk to combine. It will create a few flour lumps, but this is okay.
    • Slowly add in the milk and whisk to combine. Whisk until the flour has dissovled and the mixture is smooth and thickened. (About 2-3 minutes)
    • Add in the shredded cheese and continue to whisk until melted and thick.
    • Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked noodles and stir to combine. Scoop and serve.

    For baked mac and cheese

    • Place the cheesy noodles in a baking dish and then top with additional cheese(optional). Bake in the oven at 350F degrees for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

    Notes

    You can bake the cheesy noodles in a greased dish with additional cheese on top for a different twist.
    Experiment with additional spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika to enhance the flavor.
    Various types of cheese can be used, such as medium and sharp cheddar, Colby jack, mozzarella, or a blend of shredded cheeses.
    To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and noodles.
    Prepare the macaroni in advance and refrigerate it in a baking dish, then bake when ready to serve.
    Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
    You can freeze the recipe in a well-covered disposable baking pan for up to 3 months, and bake from frozen or thaw it before baking.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 188mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 376IU | Calcium: 231mg | Iron: 1mg
    Author NicoleDurham
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used. To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

    More Pasta Recipes

    • tomato mac and cheese in a bowl.
      Taco Mac and Cheese (with Rotel)
    • a sliced chicken breast with alfredo sauce and pasta underneath.
      Blackened Chicken Alfredo
    • a bowl of zucchini penne pasta.
      Zucchini Penne Pasta
    • a bowl filled with sesame garlic ramen noodles topped with sesame seeds siracha and green onions.
      Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. S.Luna says

      October 30, 2023 at 7:12 pm

      3 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Nicole Durham says

        October 30, 2023 at 7:15 pm

        This is a base recipe to customize and make your own, which is sounds like you did. Glad you liked it! 🙂

        Reply

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