Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

This Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese is a super creamy and flavorful combination of cheese and pasta, made quickly on the stove top! If you love your pasta extra cheesy, then you will love this copycat Panera macaroni and cheese!

Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Winter weather is here and with that comes all the comfort food recipes. Macaroni and cheese definitely tops my list when it comes to comfort food and there are just so many delicious versions that I have a hard time picking a favorite!

Hands down, my baked macaroni and cheese recipe is the absolute best, but sometimes I want a quicker stovetop version to serve alongside dinner, enter this Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese recipe. Not only is this recipe super flavorful, but it tastes just like Panera’s Macaroni and Cheese!

Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese

There are four requirements if you want your stovetop macaroni and cheese to taste like Panera’s, white American cheese slices, Vermont Extra Sharp White Cheddar cheese, hot sauce, and dijon mustard. Don’t leave any of these out or you won’t get that familiar taste! If you’ve never hard Panera’s mac and cheese, then don’t fret, you will still absolutely love the flavor in this ultra creamy recipe!

What cheese to use in macaroni and cheese?

Most importantly, don’t ever buy preshredded cheese to use in macaroni in cheese. It is coated in wax and won’t melt nicely into your sauce. Always use a brick and shred it yourself. I recommend using a cast iron enamel pan for making your macaroni and cheese! I love this beautiful one from Le Creuset, worth every penny!

Looking for more macaroni and cheese recipes?

Spicy Bacon Chicken Ranch Macaroni and Cheese

The Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Mini Macaroni and Cheese Bites

Spicy Philly Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese

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Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

This Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipe is the perfect combination of pasta and cheese, and tastes just like Panera's!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Servings 4 people

Author Amanda @ Old House to New Home

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pasta shells or macaroni noodles
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 8 slices white American cheese cut into pieces
• 4 ounces Vermont extra sharp cheddar cut from a block and shredded yourself
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Boil water in a large saucepan and add pasta. Cook to al dente according to package instructions.
2. While pasta cooks, make the cheese sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan. Once melted, add flour. Whisk until combined and golden and cook for a couple of minutes. Stir in milk and bring to a low boil. Simmer for 5-6 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in dijon and hot sauce.
3. Turn off the heat. Add cheese and stir until cheeses are completely melted. Add cooked pasta and stir to coat completely. Add salt and pepper to taste.