Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese | Homemade Mac and Cheese | Comfort food

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories while processed cheese is often less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil provides healthier fats while margarine is a budget-friendly alternative.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + cornstarch

Almond milk is lower in calories, and a cornstarch mixture can mimic creaminess.

elbow macaroni

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pasta

💰Cheaper: generic pasta

Whole wheat pasta adds fiber while generic options are often cheaper.

Turn on heat to boil water for pasta.

Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the water.

Cut half a block of softened Philadelphia cream cheese into smaller pieces.

Once water is boiling, cook elbow pasta according to box directions.

In a hot pan, melt 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) of unsalted butter over low to medium heat.

Add cream cheese to the melted butter and break it up to help it melt.

Whisk 1 egg in a measuring cup.

Add 2.5 cups of heavy cream to the egg and whisk together.

Add 1/2 cup of milk to the pan with melted cream cheese and butter.

Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon of paprika to the pan and stir.

Drain the macaroni and add a little cold water to stop the cooking process.

Return the drained macaroni to the pot.

Add 1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of finely shredded Parmesan cheese to the sauce and mix until melted.

Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.

Combine the sauce with the macaroni and mix well.

Top with additional handfuls of sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.

Mix all the cheeses into the macaroni until melted.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens