Recipe for a Quick and Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese made on the stovetop using no roux or flour, just 4 simple ingredients, macaroni, cheese, milk, and butter.
Who doesn’t love a big helping of homemade macaroni and cheese? My spouse, that’s who.
He likes his mac and cheese from the box; powdered cheese, a foil packet of cheese, any kind of cheese besides good old fashioned American cheese slices.
Honestly, he would choose versatile meat sauce over any kind of noodle before he chose mac & cheese anyway.
Now don’t misunderstand, there is something to be said about the convenience of those blue boxes of macaroni and cheese and I have cooked my share of them.
I have also served up the frozen and refrigerated prepackaged varieties. I feel no shame.
But I prefer my macaroni and cheese the way I ate it growing up. Made quickly and loaded with cheese. Everyone besides my spouse loves this mac & cheese though and it is requested often.
This method for making mac & cheese is about as simple as it can get, short of using the blue boxes.
There is no flour, no mustard, no anything that makes me go “Ewww, do people really put that in their macaroni and cheese?”
It’s simply unadulterated macaroni, butter, milk, and American cheese slices.
WHAT KIND OF CHEESE FOR MAC AND CHEESE WITHOUT FLOUR?
American cheese is the smoothest melting of all of the cheeses. With a mild flavor and creamy texture, American cheese is kid-friendly.
Yes, I know some people do not consider American cheese real cheese, but some of those same people will not hesitate to put those rubbery looking blocks of other processed cheese into their macaroni and cheese or their queso dip for that matter.
Sometimes, when I find some orphaned partial bag of cheddar shreds in the fridge I might add a bit, but not too much.
Cheddar really needs a low heat to melt properly. The cheese will break if heated too much and may become gritty if melted too fast. That’s why most macaroni and cheese recipes start with a flour roux.
If you choose to use cheddar cheese, choose one that is mild.
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
The simple no roux, no flour, macaroni and cheese recipe can be baked. This is the only stovetop recipe I have ever used, so whenever someone asked for baked mac & cheese this is what I used.
To bake this, simply place it into a greased casserole dish and top it with a crushed cracker topping.
I make my cracker topping with saltine crackers. To make a cracker crumb topping combine 1 cup of cracker crumbs with 4 tablespoons of melted butter.
If you prefer more topping, just increase the amount of crumb topping made.
Bake it in a 350 Degree F oven until the cracker crumbs are golden brown. Serve immediately.
Instead of cracker crumbs, this is the place you want to feature your cheddar cheese! Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top of the macaroni and cheese and bake just until the cheese has melted.
MORE RECIPES KIDS LOVE TO EAT
Frog Eye Soup (Chicken and Pasta)
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Simple Macaroni and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dried Pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 16 ounces American Cheese Slices
- 1 1/4 cups Milk
- 1/4 teaspoon ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta as directed on package.
- Drain pasta, but do not rinse.
- Add cooked pasta, butter, milk, cheese, and pepper to a pan.
- Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until all cheese is melted.
Joyce
Can I use grated cheese like cheddar instead of american cheese slices and if so, how much should I use?
Beth Mueller
Hi Joyce!
Just substitute with 16 ounces of cheddar cheese (about 2 cups). Use very low heat when melting cheddar cheese or it will break and turn grainy. This is why most macaroni and cheese recipes that use cheddar cheese starts with a roux.
Hope this helps.
Stay Safe!
Adel Fredenburg
I’m trying this as I don’t want to use flour…so far it looks wonderful and I’m baking it w home made Italian bread crumbs which I’ve added a bit of chipotle chili pepper for excitement…thanks looks smells just perfect! Having it w barbecued beef short ribs and cooked spinach w a bit of apple cider vinegar
Beth Mueller
Hi Adel!
Your additions and entire meal sound yummy! I sure wish I was going to your house for dinner!
Cheers!
Stacy Bennett
I love this recipe! I used half American cheese, and half Mild Cheddar. I topped it with crushed stuffing cubes instead of crackers. It turned out amazing! My whole family loved it!
Beth Mueller
Hi Stacy!
Thanks for coming back to leave a rating and comment! I bet the crushed stuffing was delicious! Great idea and I may have to steal it next time I make it.
Cheers!
Sarah Rudell
This was delicious! I went to a rural school district back in the late 60’s. We got a large portion of the food that the cook prepared as “commodities” through the government. So, there were always blocks of cheese and bags of big elbow macaroni. The cook would prepare the macaroni and cheese, pretty much like you do here – and then would pour it into big baking pans – almost like a lasagne. The top would be slightly browned, and there were never any leftovers.
Good Stuff!
Beth
I agree about being as easy as Kraft, I just wish I could make it more often!