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Skillet Mac and Cheese looking creamy and cheesy on a wooden spoon
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Skillet Mac and Cheese looking creamy and cheesy on a wooden spoon
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You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner

Skillet Mac and Cheese with Velveeta

By Susie Weinrich · Date Jun 18, 2024· Leave a Comment · May contain affiliate links.

Close up of cheesy mac and cheese on a wooden spoon, pin image
Skillet Mac and Cheese looking creamy and cheesy on a wooden spoon
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This Velveeta Mac and Cheese is made in one skillet, no draining water or making sauce in a separate pan. It comes together in about 20 minutes, and is made with just 5 ingredients + water and salt. This mac and cheese recipe doesn’t turn gritty or have a lumpy texture, it is just pure creaminess and cheesiness!

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

No funny ingredients here, no flour, no green stuff, and no onions. It is perfect for kids just like these kids chicken meatballs and kids chicken noodle soup.

RELATED: 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 Listen to the Recipe
4 Texture Troubleshooting
5 Reheating
6 Side Dish Ideas for Mac & Cheese
7 Main Dishes To Serve with Mac & Cheese
8 Did you make this recipe?
9 Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

You only need a five simple ingredients plus water and salt for this one pan mac and cheese recipe:

putting skillet mac and cheese on a cutting board
  • Elbow macaroni – classic pasta shape for any mac and cheese.
  • Whole or 2% milk – a higher fat milk works to make your mac and cheese a little creamier.
  • Velveeta cheese (or loaf style cheese) – one of the best meltiest cheeses that is perfect for mac and cheese. It doesn’t get gritty or lumpy, it melts perfectly.
  • Lawry’s Seasoned Salt – adds a lightly seasoned flavor to the mac and cheese but doesn’t drastically change the flavor of the recipe.

That’s it, plus water and salt! You probably already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen.

How to Make Skillet Mac & Cheese

  1. Start with a large 9 or 10 inch skillet, it needs to have a lid that will fit on the top. Add 3 cups of water and the 1 teaspoon salt to the skillet, let it come to a hard simmer over medium-high heat.
  2. Once the liquid begins to bubble add in the macaroni noodles and allow the pan to come to a boil.
macaroni in a skillet in simmering water
  1. 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.
  2. 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 cubed Velveeta cheese. Stir constantly until the cheese is melted completely.
cubes of velveeta in a skillet of cooked macaroni pasta
  1. Take the skillet off the heat and let it sit to thicken and cool for about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Taste your mac and cheese to see if you want more salt or seasoning salt.

Listen to the Recipe

Texture Troubleshooting

If you find that you want to change up the texture of your mac and cheese, here are some instructions to get you started:

  • Sauce too thin – add a couple 1 inch cubes of Velveeta and stir into the liquid.
  • Sauce is too thick – add ¼ cup of milk at a time to thin the sauce.
  • Sauce got sticky – put the pan back over low heat and add a splash or two of milk, stir constantly, then serve.
mac and cheese made in one skillet on the stove top

Reheating

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.

Side Dish Ideas for Mac & Cheese

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

Main Dishes To Serve with Mac & Cheese

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:

  • holding a kids chicken meatball that is cut open
    Chicken Meatballs for Kids, no onions or green stuff
  • a plate of Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
    Instant Pot Boneless Pork Ribs
  • juicy burger on a bun with mustard, ketchup, lettuce and tomato
    Perfect Grilled Burger Recipe
  • BBQ meatballs on a plate
    Best Baked BBQ Meatballs

Susie leaning on the kitchen counter

💛💛💛💛💛

Did you make this recipe?

I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

Rate This Recipe→
mac and cheese being stirred with a spoon

Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe

Classic Macaroni & Cheese made in one skillet, in under 30 minutes with only 5 ingredients + water and salt. No cooking and draining pasta. Traditional macaroni & cheese flavors- cheese, pasta, milk, butter, and salt.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 494kcal
Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

  • Large skillet with a lid

Ingredients

  • 3 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

Instructions
 

  • In a large 9 or 10 inch skillet (must have a lid that fits) simmer the water and salt over medium high heat.
    3 cups water, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Once the water is at a hard simmer add the pasta and bring it to a boil.
    2 ½ cups elbow macaroni
  • 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 milk, cubed Velveeta cheese, season salt, and butter. Stir the mac and cheese constantly until the cheese is completely melted.
    ½ cup milk, 8 oz Velveeta Cheese, 1 tablespoon butter, ¼ teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 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.
    mac and cheese made in one skillet on the stove top

Recipe Tips and 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 make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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Serving: 1serving | Calories: 494kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 1.674mg | Potassium: 437mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 694IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 388mg | Iron: 1mg

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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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Close up of cheesy mac and cheese on a wooden spoon, pin image
Skillet Mac and Cheese looking creamy and cheesy on a wooden spoon
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Meet The Author:

Susie Weinrich is a professional food photographer and recipe developer. Her thoroughly tested recipes and step-by-step guides give readers confidence in the kitchen.

YOU will feel like a huge success at dinner time with any of the simple recipes on Mom’s Dinner! Read More

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