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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner

    Skillet Mac and Cheese

    Published: Sep 11, 2019 · Modified: Sep 20, 2022 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    Close up of cheesy mac and cheese on a wooden spoon, pin image
    Close up of cheesy mac and cheese on a wooden spoon, pin image

    This is a classic recipe for Skillet Mac and Cheese. No funny ingredients, no flour, no green stuff, and no onions. It is perfect for kids just like this kids charcuterie board and kids chicken noodle soup. This recipe is full of traditional mac and cheese ingredients like Velveeta cheese, elbow macaroni, milk, butter, and salt. The bonus is that it is all made in one pan, no draining the pasta and dirtying multiple dishes.

    Skillet Mac and Cheese looking creamy and cheesy on a wooden spoon

    Make it in the skillet, and serve it from the skillet, or eat it right out of the skillet!

    If you love your Instant Pot, next time check out this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe!

    Table of Contents hide
    1 Ingredients
    2 How to Make Skillet Mac & Cheese
    3 Reheating Your Mac & Cheese
    4 Macaroni & Cheese for Dinner
    5 Mac & Cheese Side Dish
    6 Did you make this recipe?!
    7 Skillet Mac and Cheese

    Ingredients

    You only need a couple simple ingredients for this one pan mac and cheese recipe:

    • elbow macaroni
    • 2% or whole milk
    • salt
    • Velveeta cheese (or loaf style cheese)
    • Lawry’s Seasoned Salt

    That’s it! You probably already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen.

    How to Make Skillet Mac & Cheese

    Start with a large 9 or 10 inch skillet, it needs to have a lid that will fit on the top. Add 2 ¾ cups of water and the 1 teaspoon salt to the skillet, let it come to a hard simmer over medium-high heat. Once the liquid begins to bubble add in the macaroni noodles and allow the pan to come to a boil.

    One Pan macaroni and cheese in an All Clad skillet

    Turn the heat to low, give the pan a stir, and pop the lid on. Set a timer for 10 minutes.

    NOTE- the pan may sputter out the sides a little, but it shouldn’t boil over. If you quickly lift the lid for a second it will simmer down a little.

    While it cooks cube the cheese into ½-1 inch cubes.

    Velveeta Cheese cut into cubes

    Take the lid off and turn the heat up to medium. Add ½ cup of milk, 1 Tablespoon butter, ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt, and the cheese. Stir constantly until the cheese is melted completely.

    Take the skillet off the heat and let it sit to thicken and cool for about 4-5 minutes.

    Close up of a cup of skillet mac and cheese

    Taste your mac and cheese to see if you want more salt or seasoning salt. While I was testing this recipe sometimes I liked a little more seasoning salt and sometimes I thought it was great as is.

    Reheating Your Mac & Cheese

    Mac and Cheese is always at it’s very very best right after it has been cooked (the first time). But if you have a lot of leftovers just add a little milk to your skillet and maybe a cube or two of Velveeta, stir over low to medium/low heat for a few minutes until it is nice and creamy again and warmed through.

    Macaroni & Cheese for Dinner

    If you have kids then I am guessing Mac & Cheese is a highly requested dinner! When it is the main dish it can be hard to figure out what to serve on the side. Here are some ideas to make mac and cheese a meal:

    • apple slices
    • cucumber slices
    • carrot sticks & ranch
    • roasted or steamed broccoli
    • green side salad

    Mac & Cheese Side Dish

    This recipe also makes an AMAZING side dish! If you are going to eat it as a side dish it should feed 5-6 people. It would be amazing served with:

    • Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
    • Grilled Pork Burgers
    • Grilled Burgers
    • BBQ Meatballs
    • Frozen Chicken Fingers

    Susie Weinrich washing produce

    Did you make this recipe?!

    If you make this recipe I would love to hear your review. Pop down to the comment section and connect with me.

    Then sign up for our Weekly Newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

    Rate This Recipe
    skillet mac and cheese in a pan with a wooden spoon

    Skillet Mac and Cheese

    Classic Macaroni & Cheese made in one skillet, in under 30 minutes. No cooking and draining pasta. Traditional macaroni & cheese flavors- cheese, pasta, milk, butter, and salt.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Resting Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Equipment

    • Large skillet with a lid

    Ingredients

    • 2 ¾ cups water
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 ½ cups elbow macaroni
    • ½ cup milk 2% or whole
    • 8 oz Velveeta Cheese or similar loaf style American cheese
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • ¼ teaspoon seasoning salt Lawry's
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    • In a large 9 or 10 inch skillet (must have a lid that fits) simmer the water and salt over medium high heat. Once the water is at a hard simmer add the pasta and bring it to a boil.
    • Once the water boils, turn the heat down to low and pop the lid on. Set a timer for 10 minutes.
    • Remove the lid after 10 minutes and give the pan a stir. There will still be some water left in the pan, that is ok, it will thicken with the milk and cheese.
      Turn the heat up to medium and stir in the ½ cup milk, 8 oz Velveeta cheese, ¼ teaspoon season salt, and 1 tablespoon butter. Stir the mac and cheese constantly until the cheese is completely melted.
    • Remove from the heat and let sit for 4-5 minutes for the cheese to thicken.
    • Taste for additional salt or seasoning salt, per your preference.

    Notes:

    If you are eating this for dinner, plan to get 4 servings.
    If this is a side dish, plan to get about 6 servings
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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