Craving a comforting and delicious meal that won't break your diet? Look no further than stove top macaroni and cheese, a Weight Watchers-friendly dish that combines creamy indulgence with wholesome ingredients. With its simple preparation and customizable variations, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. Whether you're looking for a classic macaroni and cheese experience or a healthier twist with lighter ingredients, our guide will lead you to the best stove top macaroni and cheese recipes that satisfy your cravings while staying on track with your Weight Watchers goals.
Here are our top 12 tried and tested recipes!
EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE
Irresistible, creamy and so easy to make, this quick, stovetop version of mac-and-cheese is destined to become a family favorite. It's a satisfying side dish for most any sort of protein-pork, beef, chicken, or fish-and is a hearty vegetarian main course when served with a mixed green salad. This recipe beats any boxed kit with powdered cheese sauce mix or shelf-stable squeezable cheese. It all starts with a classic creamy white sauce that gets seasoned before sharp shredded cheese is whisked in until melted and incorporated. For pronounced spiciness, add red pepper flakes and freshly ground black pepper to the white sauce with the salt and onion powder in Step 2 to boost the heat level.
Categories Dinner
Time 15m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook pasta in lightly salted boiling water according to package directions; drain and return to pot.
- Meanwhile, while pasta cooks, in a large saucepan, whisk together milk, flour, salt and onion powder until blended. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently; reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and whisk in cheese and hot sauce. Add sauce to pasta; toss to mix and coat. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 83 kcal
THE BEST STOVETOP MAC AND CHEESE
Our super creamy, quick and easy stovetop mac and cheese is better than the boxed stuff, but just as satisfying. The combo of mild American and sharp Cheddar with cream cheese creates a perfectly balanced sauce that will please even the pickiest of palates.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
- Melt the butter in the same pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, mustard powder and paprika; cook, whisking constantly, until smooth and slightly darker, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and comes to a simmer, 7 to 8 minutes. Whisk in the cheddar, American cheese and cream cheese until melted and remove from heat.
- Add the pasta to the sauce; toss, adding some reserved cooking water as needed to loosen. Season with salt.
STOVE TOP MAC-N-CHEESE
Stir together Alton Brown's kid-pleasing Stovetop Mac-and-Cheese recipe from Good Eats on Food Network and you'll never go back to the store-bought box.
Provided by Alton Brown
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente and drain. Return to the pot and melt in the butter. Toss to coat.
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and mustard. Stir into the pasta and add the cheese. Over low heat continue to stir for 3 minutes or until creamy.
EASY STOVE-TOP MACARONI & CHEESE
Make and share this Easy Stove-Top Macaroni & Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Marie
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions.
- In medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in flour, and cook for 3-5 minutes stirring constantly to form a roux; add salt and pepper; slowly add milk, stirring well after each addition.
- Cook and stir until bubbly.
- Stir in cheese a small amount at a time until fully melted.
- Drain macaroni; add to cheese sauce; stir to coat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 590.7, Fat 24.4, SaturatedFat 14.9, Cholesterol 71.3, Sodium 540.1, Carbohydrate 68.7, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 2.4, Protein 23.2
STOVETOP MACARONI AND CHEESE
When I was a girl, Mama used Texas longhorn cheese in this recipe. After it melted all over the macaroni, I loved to dig in and see how many strings of cheese would follow my spoonful. -Imogene Hutton, Brownwood, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 25m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes longer or until thickened., Stir in cheese until melted. Drain macaroni; add to cheese sauce and stir to coat. If desired, sprinkle with paprika.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 388 calories, Fat 22g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 72mg cholesterol, Sodium 542mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 16g protein.
ONE-POT MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH TOMATOES
This comfort-food favorite takes on a new look and new taste with the addition of tomatoes. Shake it up even further by using fire roasted diced tomatoes in place of plain diced tomatoes. Pair with some steamed broccoli for a quick and easy vegetarian dinner or serve with roasted chicken and a small green salad for a more traditional meal. In only 20 minutes you can have this dish on your table. To reduce prep time even further, use any leftover cooked pasta you may have on hand. Simply stir the cooked noodles into the sauce and serve. For a warm lunch, pair with only the green salad and a light vinaigrette that will cut the creamy cheesiness of the pasta.
Categories Lunch,Dinner
Time 20m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until golden, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture bubbles and thickens slightly, 2-3 minutes.
- Stir the cheddar cheese, milk, Parmesan cheese, mustard, and salt into the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese melts and the mixture is smooth, 2-3 minutes.
- Stir the pasta into the skillet and cook until heated through and well coated, 1-2 minutes. Let stand 2 minutes before serving. Yields scant 1 cup per serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 110 kcal
EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This quick, stovetop version of mac and cheese is destined to become a family favourite. It's as satisfying and tasty as it is easy to make.
Categories Dinner,Lunch
Time 15m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook pasta in lightly salted boiling water according to package directions; drain and return to pot.
- Meanwhile, while pasta cooks, in a large saucepan, whisk together milk, flour, salt and onion powder until blended.* Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently; reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and whisk in cheese and hot sauce. Add sauce to pasta; toss to mix and coat. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 78 kcal
STOVE-TOP MACARONI AND CHEESE (WEIGHT WATCHERS)
We enjoyed this easy and delicious macaroni and cheese. If following the Weight Watchers plan it is only 6 pts/serving. When I made it I used whole wheat elbow macaroni and a combination of Kraft 2% sharp cheddar and some Weight Watcher Mexican blend cheese. If you start the cheese sauce while the pasta is cooking everything will be done at the same time --so quick and so easy! Recipe source: www.weightwatchers.com
Provided by ellie_
Categories Cheese
Time 15m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
- While macaroni is cooking, in a large saucepan over medium heat whisk together milk, flour, salt, onion powder and pepper until blended.
- Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, stirring often until thickened (2 to 5 minutes).
- Remove from heat; stir in cheese and Tabasco.
- Toss pasta with sauce.
STOVE-TOP MACARONI AND CHEESE
Make and share this Stove-Top Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Cheese
Time 50m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add onion, and cook for 6-8 minutes or until tender.
- Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
- Gradually add milk, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and bubbly.
- Add cubed cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, parsley, dry mustard, salt, and pepper; cook over low heat, stirring constantly until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.
- Add cooked pasta, stirring gently to combine.
- Serve immediately; garnish with crumbled bacon or shredded cheddar cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 557.1, Fat 29.1, SaturatedFat 18.2, Cholesterol 91.9, Sodium 1061.8, Carbohydrate 48, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 5.7, Protein 25.5
STOVE-TOP MACARONI AND CHEESE
'MAMA used Texas Longhorn cheese in this recipe. When the cheese melted, it covered all the macaroni. I loved to dig in and see how many strings of cheese would follow my spoonful.'
Provided by Allrecipes Member
Time 25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper; cook until bubbly. Gradually add milk; cook and stir until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Drain macaroni; add to cheese sauce and stir to coat. Sprinkle with paprika if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 603.9 calories, Carbohydrate 49.7 g, Cholesterol 99.6 mg, Fat 33.5 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 25.5 g, SaturatedFat 20.9 g, Sodium 729.2 mg, Sugar 7.4 g
STOVE-TOP MACARONI AND CHEESE
'MAMA used Texas Longhorn cheese in this recipe. When the cheese melted, it covered all the macaroni. I loved to dig in and see how many strings of cheese would follow my spoonful.'
Provided by Allrecipes Member
Time 25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper; cook until bubbly. Gradually add milk; cook and stir until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Drain macaroni; add to cheese sauce and stir to coat. Sprinkle with paprika if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 603.9 calories, Carbohydrate 49.7 g, Cholesterol 99.6 mg, Fat 33.5 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 25.5 g, SaturatedFat 20.9 g, Sodium 729.2 mg, Sugar 7.4 g
EASIEST AND CHEESIEST STOVE TOP MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is my Grandmother's recipe. I have no idea where it originated, but I don't ever remember a family gathering growing up when this was not served. It is not a gourmet macaroni and cheese, but it is fast and good. The only thing anyone ever says after eating it is "May I have some more please?".
Provided by koontzhome5_10671557
Categories Cheese
Time 20m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring water, butter and salt to rolling boil; add macaroni.
- Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until water is cooked down a bit and pasta is ready.
- Take off heat. DO NOT DRAIN.
- Add evaporated milk and Velveeta cheese.
- Stir, then cover pot and allow to sit for a few minutes until cheese is melted.
- Uncover and stir again.
- If too dry, add more evaporated milk.
- Serve.
Tips:
- Use low-fat or nonfat milk. This will help reduce the calories and fat content of your macaroni and cheese.
- Use a reduced-fat or fat-free cheese. This will also help reduce the calories and fat content of your dish.
- Use whole wheat macaroni. This will add fiber and nutrients to your macaroni and cheese.
- Add vegetables to your macaroni and cheese. This will make it more nutritious and colorful.
- Use a light cheese sauce. This will help reduce the calories and fat content of your macaroni and cheese.
- Use a nonstick skillet. This will help prevent your macaroni and cheese from sticking to the pan.
- Serve your macaroni and cheese with a side salad. This will help round out your meal and make it more nutritious.
Conclusion:
Stove top macaroni and cheese is a quick and easy meal that can be made with a variety of ingredients. By following the tips above, you can make a delicious and healthy macaroni and cheese that the whole family will enjoy.
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