The Creamiest Macaroni & Cheese Recipe Ever (20 Minutes, 7 Ingredients) Side Dishes Pasta Budget Recipes Lunch Dinner High Protein Recipes Low Sugar Recipes

Macaroni and cheese is one dish that most people can agree on. It's creamy, cheesy, filling and downright craveable. If you like your macaroni and cheese creamy – we mean really creamy – here is your new favorite recipe.

This creamy macaroni and cheese recipe has a secret ingredient that adds extra creaminess: cream cheese. Not only does it have a secret ingredient, but it cooks in one pot and is ready to serve in about 20 minutes. To make this stovetop mac and cheese recipe you will need elbow macaroni, butter, flour, heavy cream, sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese and cream cheese.

If you like to bake your macaroni and cheese, pour it into a baking dish, top with more shredded cheese and bake at 350 degrees F until the top begins to lightly brown.

Serve this mac and cheese for lunch or as a side dish with dinner. The holidays are fast approaching, so add this to your Thanksgiving menu options.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked to al dente according to package directions
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 ounces cream cheese

Here's how to make it: 

• Melt the butter in the pot you cooked the pasta in over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Slowly add the cream, whisking, until smooth. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the cheddar, mozzarella and cream cheese. Season with salt and pepper. to taste. Stir until melted and combined. (You could use mild cheddar cheese for this recipe if you don't enjoy sharp cheddar. Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese, so grate fresh if you can.)
• Add the cooked pasta and stir to coat. Serve. (For the creamiest macaroni and cheese, serve immediately.) Store the macaroni and cheese in the fridge and reheat in the microwave. You can add a little milk to loosen it up.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get recipes in your newsfeed daily.