Easy Creamy Skillet Mac and Cheese

I made this skillet mac and cheese because my casserole dish ghosted me and my skillet promised fewer steps and more cheese. It’s creamy, dangerously comforting, and fast enough that I can pretend dinner was a deliberate plan rather than the result of mild panic and a fridge audit.

Once, I tried to make this while supervising three simultaneous craft projects, a dog who thinks pasta is a personal insult, and my husband who decided it was the perfect moment to test whether “stir” and “throw” are synonyms. Long story short: the mac survived, the dog was placated with a cheese-flavored bribe, and my husband learned that stirring is in fact a thing. I also learned that no, I won’t wash fewer dishes because you misread “skillet” as “no cleanup necessary.”

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use pre-shredded cheese if you hate your future self — it melts fine and saves 7 minutes of life.
– Swap in quick-cooking pasta (like small shells) and cut boiling time. Yes, I judged the box too.
– Do the whole thing in a heavy skillet so you only have one pan to wash. Don’t act surprised when you still wash two (you used a spoon, right?).
– Buy a box of shreds labeled “three-cheese” and call it a day. It’s cheating, but it works.

Serving Ideas

– Pair with a green salad if you’re trying to convince people this is “balanced.” Add croutons to feel fancy.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts. Serve with juice boxes if they didn’t. Compromise: wine for you, juice for them.
– Top with crunchy breadcrumbs or bacon if you want texture and a tiny heart attack.
– Keep it simple and eat straight from the skillet like a civilized raccoon.

What to Serve It With

– Quick side: Steamed broccoli for that “I did something healthy” vibe.
– Weekend upgrade: A throw-together arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette — because acid cuts through cheese like magic.
– Kid-approved: Garlic bread, because carbs make everything quieter.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t overcook the pasta — al dente is your friend. Overcooked = mushy sadness.
– If it’s a little thin, simmer a minute or two to thicken; if it’s too thick, add a splash more milk. Nobody needs a cheese brick.
– Taste the cheese combo before dumping it all. Some store-brand mixes are surprisingly adventurous and not always in a good way.
– Yes, this pan is too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh. Reheat gently with a splash of milk so it doesn’t dry out. Microwave works in a pinch; stovetop with low heat is romance.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts. Add cooked bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, or a handful of grated Parmesan for a salty boost. Use gluten-free pasta if needed; it’s fine, I promise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Easy Creamy Skillet Mac and Cheese

This Easy Creamy Skillet Mac and Cheese is a quick and comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 8 oz elbow macaroni
• ▢ 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ▢ 1 cup milk
• ▢ 4 tbsp butter
• ▢ 0.5 tsp black pepper
• ▢ 0.25 tsp salt

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente.
• In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and add the milk.
• Mix in the cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the cooked macaroni until well combined.

Notes

This dish can be customized with additional ingredients like bacon or vegetables.