Baked mac and cheese recipe with heavy whipping cream

This Creamy Mac and Cheese takes just minutes to prepare on the stovetop, contains two types of cheese, and is creamy, hearty, and delicious!

Table of Contents Show

Ingredients for Creamy Mac and Cheese
How to Make Creamy Mac and Cheese
How to Reheat Mac and Cheese
Can You Freeze Mac and Cheese?
What’s the Best Pasta for Mac and Cheese?
Recipe Variations to Try
What to Serve with Mac and Cheese
Tips for Making Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Looking for more side dish recipes? I’ve got you covered!
Video Tutorial
Can you use heavy whipping cream instead of milk for mac and cheese?
Which is better evaporated milk or heavy whipping cream in baked mac and cheese?
How does Paula Deen make baked mac and cheese?
Is heavy cream or half and half better for mac and cheese?

Even though winter and I aren’t the best of friends, it does bring me joy within the kitchen.

Sounds strange, but the cold weather gives me the perfect excuse to whip up some delicious and hearty meals. Not that I don’t do this in the warmer months, but with the weather being frigid, I get creative with those foods that warm you right up and make you forget about the cold and snow.

While no bean chiliand soup rank right up there with some of my favorite dishes, some other meals that scream comfort food are this chicken pesto pasta and spinach and mushroom pasta. Can you tell that I’m a sucker for decadent pasta dishes?

And nothing screams comfort food more than those dishes and this creamy mac and cheese.

Since I’m all about foods that take just minutes to prepare during the week, while accompanying that comfort food appeal, homemade creamy mac and cheese was the first food that I thought of.

Ingredients for Creamy Mac and Cheese

Want to know the secret to making super creamy cheese sauce for mac and cheese? Heavy cream! And good quality cheese, of course. Yep, I made this mac and cheese with heavy cream because when I make mac and cheese I go all out!

To make this homemade creamy mac and cheese, you’ll need the following:

Cavatappi shells
Unsalted butter
All-purpose flour
Salt and pepper
Milk
Heavy whipping cream
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Shredded mozzarella cheese

How to Make Creamy Mac and Cheese

It’s incredibly easy to make creamy stovetop mac and cheese, provided you use the right ingredients and ratios. Here are the basic steps for making the creamiest mac and cheese:

Cook the noodles to al dente, drain and set aside.
Now comes the fun part, making the creamy cheese sauce. Melt some butter in a large pot and then whisk in some flour, salt, and pepper.
Slowly add in some heavy cream and milk, cooking until it bubbles. We’re going for rich and creamy macaroni and cheese, so the heavy cream is necessary!
Then reduce the heat to low and add in some shredded sharp cheddar cheese and shredded mozarella cheese.
Stir until melted and then add the cavatappi noodles to pot. Stir until the noodles are coated and then let sit for 5 minutes to thicken up.

How to Reheat Mac and Cheese

If you wind up with leftovers of this creamy mac and cheese recipe, I recommend reheating them in a saucepan with a splash of milk or cream.Pop the lid onto the saucepan and reheat over low heat so the pasta doesn’t dry out.

Can You Freeze Mac and Cheese?

Absolutely! This homemade creamy mac and cheese freezes well.I recommend freezing this stovetop mac and cheese in small containers so you can thaw one serving at a time.

What’s the Best Pasta for Mac and Cheese?

I chose to use cavatappi noodles, as I love the shape and thickness of them. But feel free to use whatever type of noodle you have on hand.

Recipe Variations to Try

This recipe for creamy mac and cheese is perfect as is, but you can switch up the ingredients as desired. Here are some variations you can try the next time you make this recipe:

Use gluten-free pasta. It’s easy to swap out the regular pasta for a gluten-free version!
Add veggies. Trying to sneak more vegetables into your diet? Stir in frozen (thawed) peas, sautéed veggies, you name it!
Add bacon. Cooked, crumbled bacon takes this ultra creamy mac and cheese over the top.
Use different cheeses. I typically pair one flavorful cheese (cheddar) with one super melty cheese (mozzarella). Use what you have on hand.
Use all milk. Don’t have heavy cream on hand or don’t want to use it? Just use all milk! Keep in mind that omitting the heavy cream will result in a less creamy cheese sauce.

What to Serve with Mac and Cheese

Enjoy your super creamy mac and cheese as a main, or serve it as a side. Here are some of my favorite dishes to pair with homemade mac and cheese:

Honey Garlic Chicken Legs
Chicken Bacon Ranch Panini
Lemon Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork
Baked Salsa Chicken
Honey Balsamic Chicken
Ham and Avocado Open-Faced Sandwich

Tips for Making Stovetop Mac and Cheese

I prefer using a blend of shredded cheddar and mozzarella in my creamy stovetop mac and cheese, but you’re welcome to use any cheese you have on hand.
To add more flavor to this mac ‘n cheese, I like to add 2 teaspoons of garlic powder and a dash of paprika or ground nutmeg.
Looking for a more distinct cheesy taste? Use ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan or cheddar jack cheese, ¾ cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar.
Note that you can use any milk you’d like in this homemade mac and cheese recipe. If you use a non-dairy milk, double check that it’s unsweetened and unflavored first.

This creamy stovetop mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food meal, friends! So perfect for a cold winter night when you want something quick, easy, and delicious!

Looking for more side dish recipes? I’ve got you covered!

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mac & Cheese
Instant Pot Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Roasted Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Lemon Parmesan Asparagus
Roasted Mushrooms with Garlic and Rosemary
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Video Tutorial

This Creamy Mac and Cheese takes just minutes to prepare on the stovetop, contains two types of cheese, and is creamy, hearty, and delicious!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword macaroni and cheese recipe, stove top recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 467.59kcal

1 pound cavatappi shells
¼ cup unsalted butter
½ cup all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup milk , any kind (I used 2%)
1¼ cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

In a large pot, cook noodles in boil water until al dente, per packaged directions. Drain and set aside.
In a medium pot, melt butter. Then whisk in flour, salt, and pepper.
Slowly add milk and heavy cream, whisking until combined. Heat mixture until it bubbles over medium heat.
Reduce heat to low and add in cheeses. Stir until melted. Add pasta to cheese mixture and toss to combine. If mixture is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons more milk and go from there.
Let macaroni and cheese sit for 5 minutes to thicken.

To add more flavor to this mac 'n cheese, I like to add 2 teaspoons of garlic powder and a dash of paprika or ground nutmeg.
Looking for a more distinct cheesy taste? Use ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan or cheddar jack cheese, ¾ cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar.
See my tips and tricks for making this Creamy Macaroni and Cheese above the recipe box.

**Recipe from 1/2015. Photos updated 8/2020**

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Can you use heavy whipping cream instead of milk for mac and cheese?

Heavy whipping cream (or half and half) is the perfect substitute for milk in mac and cheese. This is actually a great option! The thicker consistency will produce a dreamy, creamy sauce that everyone will love. The flavor is bolder and richer, too, and you may enjoy it more than the original.

Which is better evaporated milk or heavy whipping cream in baked mac and cheese?

Evaporated milk has more protein than regular milk, but less fat than heavy cream, which gives this easy baked macaroni and cheese a thick, creamy filling without too much greasiness.

How does Paula Deen make baked mac and cheese?

In a bowl, whisk together the milk, sour cream, eggs, butter, hot sauce, and salt. Pour the milk mixture over the macaroni. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Is heavy cream or half and half better for mac and cheese?

For the most part, half-and-half and heavy cream are interchangeable. Using half-and-half in place of heavy cream can lighten up a pot of clam chowder without any major consequences, and on the flipside, a drizzle of cream in lieu of half-and-half can add extra richness to a dish of macaroni and cheese.