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Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe – Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food! This easy cheesy sauce combined with macaroni and a buttery, crunch topping makes for the best homemade Mac and Cheese!
Oh friends! Do I have a recipe to share with you today that I think you are going to absolutely love!
This easy, cheesy, creamy, crunchy, and out of this world delicious Skillet Mac and Cheese!
The BEST Mac and Cheese
I know, I know. There must be a million Mac and Cheese recipes out there. But before you dismiss this one, let me tell you a little more about it. I’ve also included some step-by-step photos so that it doesn’t seem nearly as intimidating.
I get it. I remember all those years of just grabbing a blue box when I was grocery shopping and then boiling noodles, draining them and squeezing in the magic packet. With a quick stir, it was done. But once I began making my own homemade mac and cheese, I haven’t turned back.
I think you’ll love it, too!
How to Make Skillet Mac and Cheese
To make it, you’ll need.
- butter
- flour
- seasoning
- milk
- cheese
- elbow noodles
- panko crumbs
I start by melting butter in my medium (12-inch) skillet. Then, I add my flour and Stone House Seasoning to the butter.
I’ve shared my recipe for Stone House Seasoning with you all before. Every time that I mention it in a recipe, I do get questions about it. It is made of three simple ingredients at just the perfect ratio for quickly adding seasoning to so many dishes. I make a large portion of it and keep in an airtight container so that I can add flavor in a snap!
Once you add the flour and Stone House Seasoning to the skillet, whisk to incorporate into the melted butter. Then, continue to cook for about a minute more.
Next, whisking constantly, you’ll pour your warmed milk into your flour mixture, making sure it is smooth.
Allow the flour and milk mixture to come to a low bubble in the skillet and continue to cook until the sauce has thickened.
Now, turn the heat off to the skillet and add all of your cheeses, along with the hot sauce if you are using. Stir until all the cheese has melted.
Oh my stars! That cheese sauce is incredible and just makes this the best Mac and Cheese recipe in my book!
Next, you’ll want to add in your cooked elbow noodles. I like to add the cooked noodles in stages and not all at once and stir them into the cheese sauce.
Now, if you like, you can stop right here and serve this Mac and Cheese without any topping. It is mighty delicious this way and is how Sam always loved to eat it as a young fella. It is definitely a favorite for children this way.
But friends, it is out of this world delicious with this buttery Panko topping! The Panko is mixed with a bit of melted butter, added to the top of the Mac and Cheese and then placed under the broiler until nice and toasted. YUM!
Make Ahead Instructions
To make-ahead, prepare without adding the topping. Cover tightly with wrap and refrigerate. To serve, remove from the refrigerator and top with the Panko topping mixture and bake at 325º F for 15 minutes.
How to Freeze
Transfer any leftovers to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, reheat and serve.
Here’s my Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe. I hope you make it soon!
Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter divided
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Stone House Seasoning
- 3 cups milk warmed
- 1 1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce optional
- 1 pound elbow pasta cooked according to package instructions
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Melt 4 tablespoons butter in skillet set over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour and Stone House Seasoning into the butter and whisk until the flour has been incorporated into the butter. Continue to cook until the flour has lightly browned, about 1 minute.
- Whisk constantly as you slowly pour the warmed milk into the flour mixture making sure that the mixture remains smooth and without lumps.
- Allow the mixture to come to a low bubble and cook until the sauce has thickened. Turn the heat off to the skillet and add the cheeses, and hot sauce if using. Stir until the cheeses have melted.
- Add the cooked elbow pasta (macaroni) to the skillet and stir into the sauce.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave and mix with the panko. Spread the panko on top of the mac and cheese and place under a broiler until just crispy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
To make-ahead, prepare without adding the topping. Cover tightly with wrap and refrigerate. To serve, remove from the refrigerator and top with the Panko topping mixture and bake at 325º F for 15 minutes. Freezer-Friendly:
Transfer any leftovers to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutritional Information
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
This is a fine recipe. I made it last night and it was delicious. It was very easy to prepare. I didn’t have elbow macaroni and used orecchiette instead. My dinner companion loved it. The other recipes are also terrific. I have tried several.
Thanks so much, Gary!
We just prepared and ate this recipe tonight. Four of my 5 kids, age 15 to 22, love a good mac n cheese. We all agreed this is one of the BEST mac n cheese we have had, at restaurant or at home! It was fantastic! I honestly did not change a thing. It was perfect!
Thank you, Jen. I’m so happy your kids loved this. It is a favorite of my son’s, too.
ANY recipe from Robyn is worth making! Love Love Love her website…addapinch.com is one of my favorites.
That is so sweet, Jodi! Thank you so much.
That was excellent and it was so good didn’t have the stone season but everything else or pako used other breadcrumbs . Just love the way it came out . Thank you very much.
Patricia, the Stone House Seasoning is my recipe so you can make your own. You can make a jar of this seasoning to keep on hand or the measurements for ingredients to make only a teaspoon are included in the post. I hope you give it a try.
Pretty simple recipe, just made this with my mom. Everyone agreed that it was absolutely delicious and my dad called it “restaurant quality” I’ll definitely be using this again.