I’ve tried more mac and cheese recipes than I care to admit—boxed, baked, slow-cooked, you name it. But nothing quite hits the spot like this one pot version. It’s simple, creamy, and comes together in less time than it takes to find your favorite movie on Netflix. We’re not talking about your run-of-the-mill mac and cheese here. This pot of golden goodness skips the complicated roux and bakes right on the stovetop, all in one pan. I mean, who needs extra dishes? If you’ve ever found yourself Googling things like “fast mac and cheese recipe” or daydreaming about a broccoli mac and cheese recipe that doesn’t taste like cardboard, welcome. This version’s for you. Whether you’re into crock pot mac and cheese recipes or even that wild mac and cheese pizza recipe your cousin keeps tagging you in—trust me, this is the one to beat. And if you’re bold enough to roll these into mac and cheese balls? Please send pics.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
3) Ingredients for Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese
4) How to Make Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese
5) Tips for Making Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese
6) Making Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese
8) Try these one pot pasta recipes next!
9) Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This one pot pasta recipe is rich, creamy, and made in 20 minutes flat.
No roux, no baking, no fancy steps. Just one pot and a little patience.
Great for adding veggies like broccoli or proteins like bacon or rotisserie chicken.
Leftovers store well and reheat beautifully with a splash of milk.

2) Easy Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe

On weeknights when I can barely keep my eyes open, I reach for this one pot pasta recipe. It’s the kind of meal that wraps you in a soft blanket, even when you’re standing barefoot in the kitchen with laundry piling up nearby.

This recipe uses simple, honest ingredients. The kind you already have. Pasta, milk, cheese, butter. You stir them all together in one pot, and somehow, out comes dinner that tastes like a hug. I love that I don’t have to juggle multiple pans or clean up a mess after.

I’ve added broccoli to it when I’ve felt responsible. I’ve thrown in leftover rotisserie chicken when I’ve felt resourceful. And once, I even used it as a base for a mac and cheese pizza recipe. Trust me, that was a moment. Whether you’re craving a fast mac and cheese recipe or prepping mac and cheese balls for later, this version makes it easy and real.

3) Ingredients for Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese

Elbow Macaroni: The classic shape that holds sauce like a champ. You can swap it with shells or rotini, but elbow keeps it old-school in the best way.

Butter: Adds richness and helps build that silky sauce. I use salted butter, but unsalted works too. You just might want to pinch in a little extra salt later.

Flour: Just enough to thicken the sauce without making it too heavy. It’s the low-effort backbone of this one pot wonder.

Heavy Cream and Milk: This tag team gives the sauce that luxurious texture we all want. Cream makes it rich. Milk keeps it smooth. The combo is magic.

Salt and Pepper: Don’t skip these. They pull everything together. Taste as you go so you land where your tastebuds smile.

Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Just enough to lift the flavor without turning it into something fancy. This is comfort food, not a five-star tasting menu.

Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and bold. Shred it yourself if you can. Pre-shredded works, but fresh gives you meltier, dreamier results.

Mozzarella Cheese: For stretch and gooeyness. It adds that pull that makes your fork pause mid-air.

Parmesan Cheese: Salty and nutty. It’s the closer, the thing that finishes it all off with flavor that lingers.

4) How to Make Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese

Step 1. Boil water in a big pot. Add macaroni. Cook it just under al dente. Drain and set it aside. Keep that pot handy. No new dishes today.

Step 2. Melt butter in the same pot. Add flour. Stir for about a minute. The goal is no lumps, just a smooth base that smells a bit nutty.

Step 3. Pour in the cream and milk slowly while whisking. Take your time here. Smooth sauce is worth a few extra wrist flicks.

Step 4. Stir in salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder. Taste the mix. It should already be whispering “mac and cheese” to your brain.

Step 5. Lower the heat. Add cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan. Stir gently as they melt. Watch that sauce turn into velvet.

Step 6. Return the pasta to the pot. Stir until every piece is coated and comfy. Let it sit on low for a minute or two.

Step 7. Serve while it’s warm and dreamy. Or scoop it into a lunchbox and watch it disappear the next day.

5) Tips for Making Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese

Use fresh cheese if you can. It melts smoother and packs more flavor. Pre-shredded has a coating that can mess with your sauce.

Stick with whole milk and heavy cream. Skimping on fat gives you thinner sauce. This dish earns its richness. Don’t cheat it.

If you want to turn it into a one pot pasta recipe with veggies, toss in steamed broccoli or peas just before the cheese melts. You’ll get extra texture and maybe a little less guilt.

6) Making Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese Ahead of Time

Life’s messy. Having this one pot pasta recipe ready in the fridge is like having backup on a chaotic day. Make it ahead and store it tightly covered.

When you reheat, add a splash of milk and stir it gently over low heat. The sauce thickens as it sits, but a little milk brings it back to life.

It’s also freezer friendly. Scoop it into portions, let it cool, and freeze. When the craving hits, you’ll be minutes away from cheesy comfort.

7) Storing Leftover Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese

Leftovers stay good for four days in the fridge. Keep them sealed up tight. No one likes a dried-out pasta surprise.

Before reheating, stir in a bit of milk. Use the stove if you can. Microwaves work too, but low heat gives better results.

Try adding leftover mac to muffins tins, freeze, and pop them out when you want a snack. Great for kids. Or tired grownups.

8) Try these one pot pasta recipes next!

9) Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese