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๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป Comfort Food Recipes

Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese for Two

Updated: Jul 6, 2025 ยท Published: Feb 22, 2025 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 6 Comments

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Time: 35 minutes mins

This creamy stovetop mac and cheese for two is the easy one-pot comfort food you needโ€”no baking, no roux, and ready in 20 minutes. Itโ€™s perfect for a small batch or single serving and made with simple pantry ingredients in just one pan.

Mac and cheese on a white plate.
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • ๐Ÿ˜Š Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe
  • ๐Ÿง€ Ingredients
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณQuick Overview: How to Make Creamy Mac and Cheese
  • ๐Ÿ˜Š Make It Right Every Time
  • ๐Ÿค” Options and Variations
  • โ†•๏ธHow to Scale the Recipe (Up or Down)
  • โ“FAQs
  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Serving Suggestions
  • โ„๏ธ Storing and Reheating Leftovers
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Other Mac and Cheese Recipes
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

quote mark
Featured Comment by RG:
โญโญโญโญโญ
"Easy and good. "

๐Ÿ˜Š Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

  • One pot, no oven: Stovetop onlyโ€”no roux, no baking.
  • An adjustable small-batch recipe: Make it for two, scale up for leftovers, or cut it down for mac and cheese for one.
  • Ultra creamy: Pasta cooks in milk for extra richness.
  • No blue box here: Just fresh macaroni, milk, cheese, and spices you control.
  • Foolproof: Easy enough for beginnersโ€”no draining, no drama.

๐Ÿง€ Ingredients

Hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll needโ€”simple pantry staples and flexible options:

Macaroni with milk, cheese, and spicesโ€”labeled.
  • Elbow macaroni โ€“ Or other small pasta like shells or rotini.
  • Milk โ€“ Whole milk is best for richness. 2% is fine. If using fat-free, add a bit more butter to boost the missing butterfat.
  • Butter โ€“ Just enough to round out the sauce. Use a little more if you're using lower-fat milk.
  • Cheese โ€“ Sharp or mild cheddar is classic. Velveeta melts beautifully. Try Gruyรจre, Gouda, or a touch of Parmesan for variety.
  • Spices โ€“ Garlic powder, paprika, dry mustard (optional), salt, and black pepper. These add subtle depthโ€”skip the mustard if you prefer.

โœ… Pro Tip: For the creamiest texture, shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded works, but may melt less smoothly due to the presence of anti-caking agents.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณQuick Overview: How to Make Creamy Mac and Cheese

1. Simmer the pasta in milk and spices

Add everything but the cheese to a nonstick saucepan. Simmer gently, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbedโ€”about 15 to 18 minutes.
If the pasta is sticking, turn down the heatโ€”high heat can curdle the milk.

Adding uncooked macaroni to the spicy milk.

โœ… Pro Tip: If the pasta is tender but thereโ€™s still a lot of fluid, pour off most of it. If the liquid is almost gone but the pasta isnโ€™t tender yet, add a splash of milk and cook a bit longer.

2. Add the cheese

Remove from heat, stir in the cheese, cover, and let it melt. Mix and serve.

Adding shredded cheese to the cooked macaroni.

๐Ÿ‘‡ Scroll down for the printable recipe card and complete step-by-step photo instructionsโ€”or keep reading for tips, veggie options, and serving ideas.

๐Ÿ˜Š Make It Right Every Time

  • Use a nonstick saucepan to avoid sticking and curdling.
  • Watch your simmer: Timing can vary slightly depending on your stove and pasta.
  • Shred your own cheese for the creamiest results. Pre-shredded works but may be a little grainy.

๐Ÿค” Options and Variations

  • Pasta swaps: Shells, rotini, or penne all work wellโ€”just avoid very quick-cooking types.
  • Cheese options: Sharp or mild cheddar is classic, but Gruyรจre, Gouda, Monterey Jack, or a little Parmesan all melt well and boost flavor. Velveeta may not be fancy, but it melts like a dreamโ€”and kids love it.
  • Add-ins: Try crumbled bacon, cubed ham, or leftover pulled pork, chicken, or beef.
  • Breadcrumb topping: Add crunch with toasted Panko or a Parmesan-breadcrumb mixโ€”broil briefly until golden.

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โ†•๏ธHow to Scale the Recipe (Up or Down)

This recipe makes two servings, but it's easy to scale up or down, even to a single serving. This works great as a mac and cheese for one with no waste and no leftovers. In our house of two, I usually double it for leftovers.

  • Use the recipe card to change servings from 2 to whatever you needโ€”1, 4, 6, or 8.
  • The ingredient amounts will update automatically. The instructions will not, so use the updated list, not the text.
  • Cook time stays the same, no matter the batch size.

โ“FAQs

Is mac and cheese gluten free?

It can be! Just use gluten-free pasta and double-check your cheese. Most shredded cheese is safe, but always scan the label for additives like flour.

Should I rinse pasta before cooking?

Not for this recipe. The starch on the pasta helps thicken the sauce. Rinsing is only helpful for cold dishes, like pasta salads.

Can I make this mac and cheese for one person?

Yes! This recipe makes two servings, but is easy to cut in half, or just enjoy the leftovers the next day.

Is this a one-pot mac and cheese recipe?

Absolutely. Everything cooks in one pan on the stovetopโ€”no draining, no extra dishes.

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Serving Suggestions

Serve as a main dish with a crisp green salad or a simple hot vegetable. It also works great as a side for just about any casual meal.

Kids especially love it with hot dogs or easy chicken recipes like:

  • Grilled Chicken Tenders
  • Baked Chicken Tenders
  • Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Or pair it with Grilled Chicken Drumsticks and Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks for a heartier meal.

โ„๏ธ Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

This mac and cheese doesnโ€™t freeze wellโ€”the texture just doesnโ€™t hold up.

To reheat, cover and warm gently in the microwave or oven until hot and creamy. Stir in a splash of milk if it looks dry.

๐Ÿ‘ Other Mac and Cheese Recipes

Love this one? Try these other easy options:

  • Oven Baked Mac and Cheese
  • Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
  • Roadhouse Mac and Cheese
  • Crock Pot Mac and Cheese with Uncooked Pasta
  • Chili Mac.

Each one is beginner-friendly and full of flavorโ€”just like this stovetop version.

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

Mac and cheese on a white plate.

Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese for Two

5 from 2 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Creamy, cheesy stovetop mac and cheese for twoโ€”made in one pot with no roux, no baking, and pantry ingredients. Easy to scale up or down.
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjustable :2 servings
Print | Pin | Email share | Like and save for later Saved!

Video Slideshow

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 1 cup elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1ยฝ teaspoon butter
  • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ยผ teaspoon paprika
  • ยผ teaspoon dry mustard
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • ยผ teaspoon black pepper
  • ยฝ cup shape cheddar cheese - or Velveeta

Step-by-Step Instructions
 

Simmer the pasta in milk and spices

  • In a small, nonstick saucepan, combine 1 cup of milk, 1ยฝ teaspoons of butter, ยฝ teaspoon of salt, ยฝ teaspoon of garlic powder, ยผ teaspoon of black pepper, ยผ teaspoon of paprika, and ยผ teaspoon of dry mustard. Add 4 ounces (about 1 cup) of elbow macaroni.
    Adding uncooked macaroni to the spicy milk.
  • Bring to a light simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Keep uncovered and stir frequently for about 15-18 minutes, until the pasta is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
    โœ… If the pasta is tender but thereโ€™s still too much liquid, pour off most of it. If the liquid is nearly gone but the pasta isnโ€™t tender yet, add a splash of milk and continue cooking.
    Stirring the mixture in the saucepan.

Add the cheese

  • Remove from heat. Add the cheese, cover, and let it melt. Stir and serve hot.
    Adding shredded cheese to the cooked macaroni.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips

  1. Most small pasta shapes workโ€”avoid very quick-cooking types.
  2. The endpoint of cooking pasta is that it is tender but not overcooked, and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  3. If there is still significant fluid when the pasta is tender, drain some of the fluid.
  4. If the pasta is not tender and the liquid is almost gone, add a little more milk and simmer for a short while longer.
  5. Use any cheese you likeโ€”shred your own for the best melt.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.

To adjust the recipe size:

You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.

Nutrition Estimate (may vary)

Calories : 428 kcal (21%)Carbohydrates : 61 g (20%)Protein : 19 g (38%)Fat : 11 g (17%)Saturated Fat : 7 g (35%)Polyunsaturated Fat : 1 gMonounsaturated Fat : 1 gTrans Fat : 0.2 gCholesterol : 33 mg (11%)Sodium : 623 mg (26%)Potassium : 271 mg (8%)Fiber : 3 g (12%)Sugar : 7 g (8%)Vitamin A : 800 IU (16%)Calcium : 310 mg (31%)Iron : 2.3 mg (13%)
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mac and cheese for one, mac and cheese for two, one pot mac and cheese, stovetop mac and cheese

Originally Published December 20, 2012. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

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  1. RG says

    June 12, 2023 at 5:21 pm

    5 stars
    Easy and good. Thanks for sharing this. We added some leftover bbq meat which gave it a little something extra. i might even add spinach next time.

    Reply
  2. C. Matusiak says

    July 10, 2019 at 7:09 pm

    5 stars
    In the instruction number 4, and also the recipe steps before the recipe, it says "When the pasta is tender, and the milk mostly absorbed, add 1 cup of cheese (your choice), remove from heat and cover for minutes."
    Would that be a few minutes, 10 minutes, or what? I'm one that follows a new recipe exactly the first time around and would like this missing piece of information.

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      July 10, 2019 at 8:59 pm

      Hi,
      Welcome to the blog.

      A "few minutes" here means 2-3 minutes only until completely melted and able to be combined. I'm not cooking the cheese which I find makes it stay creamier.
      Hope that helps.Thanks for asking and the rating.
      Dan

  3. Charlene says

    April 10, 2019 at 10:00 pm

    Thank you Dan - it is a very clear response - I agree, it has to be the milk. I am going to try this recipe one more time with regular milk - the picture of it looks so good!

    Reply
  4. Charlene says

    April 09, 2019 at 10:39 pm

    Hi Dr. Dan,

    I have made this recipe twice now and have been disappointed with the results. I think it is because I am using Lactose Free milk - the mac and cheese tastes like it has sugar in it as a result. I am going to try it one more time with regular milk to see how it goes because usually your recipes are great! Just thought I would pass the info on about Lactose Free milk.

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      April 09, 2019 at 11:09 pm

      Hi Charlene,
      Sorry it didn't work well but it may be the milk.
      A brief doctor discussion. All dairy has sugar called lactose. Lactose is what is called a disaccharide which is two molecules of sugar (glucose and galactose) stuck together. Most people have an enzyme called lactase to break the lactose in half so you can absorb it. If not broken up, it will ferment in the intestine and produce gas and diarrhea. So one molecule of lactose becomes two molecules of other sugars. You body detects the sweetness by number of molecules not weight. So lactose from milk has been pretreated with the emzyme lactase doubling the number of sugar molecules and making it sweeter.

      I know, clear as mud but I must have explained it a thousand time to people with lactose intolerance.

      So if the problem to your taste is sweetness, it probable is the milk. Otherwise maybe a different recipe.

      Dan

DrDan imageHi, I'm DrDan.
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