Mac and cheese. This mainstream dish is truly a staple in the diet of American children [and adults… let’s be real here]. Many of us grew up eating this out of a blue box [hello, Kraft!] and then later enjoyed baked macaroni and cheese and wondered what we’d been missing all our lives. Well, at least that’s been my experience.
A few weeks ago I was sitting in class, outlining a meal plan in my head… whoops… and I began to wonder if I could create a stovetop mac and cheese that tastes just as good as Kraft’s, and just as good as baked mac and cheese, but without the processing and without the long baking time. I felt up to the challenge one night last week and embarked on a journey that has changed my perception of stovetop mac and cheese–forever. I hope it will change yours too!
This stovetop macaroni and cheese boasts a variety of flavors that meld together in mere minutes [scarcely more than it takes to make a box of Kraft] to make a rustic, home-cooked comfort dish, perfect for a relaxing night at home. The aged Wisconsin cheddar meets the sharpness of mustard, the spiciness of nutmeg, the richness of cream, and the tang of Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to have a party in the pan… and then in your mouth. Just add some broccoli for texture and a boost of veggies, and a delicious dinner is ready in no time at all.
And in case you’re interested, and in need of some reading material, be sure to click here to read about the history of macaroni and cheese in America! It all began with Thomas Jefferson and his love of cheese and Italian food. This influenced American colonists’ meal preparation in the early days of limited food choice. In 1896, a recipe appeared for macaroni in cheese in the cookbook for the Boston Cooking School and by 1937, Kraft marketed a boxed version. Now, versions spring up all over America. Here’s the latest!
Stovetop Mac & Cheese with Broccoli
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound small pasta [macaroni, mini penne, etc. I used mini bowties.]
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy cream [to lighten it up use half and half]
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- few dashes freshly ground black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3/4 teaspoon dried mustard
- 10 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 small bunches broccoli, chopped into florets
Directions:
In a large stock pot, prepare pasta according to package directions. [If you haven’t yet checked out these instructions for best pasta preparation, do it! They are so helpful!] Meanwhile, whisk together eggs, cream, milk, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, nutmeg, and mustard in a small bowl. In a separate pot or the microwave, steam broccoli for a few minutes, but don’t let it get completely tender as it will cook more in the pasta.
Once pasta is cooked and drained, toss butter with pasta until it melts. Then pour in egg mixture and stir to combine. Fold in cheese and broccoli, cover, and cook for about 3-4 minutes on low-medium heat or until cheese is melted. Top with freshly ground black pepper and enjoy!
Click here for the printable version: Stovetop Mac & Cheese
Question of the Day: Were you a Kraft kid? Are you still? I was. I think we tried other boxed mac & cheeses but nothing compared to the blue box! Now, I still like it occasionally but my tastes have changed somewhat.
The Pajama Chef 
I love this! Your recipe looks wonderful–and the cold weather and shorter days are causing me to crave these comfort-style meals even more!
My first stovetop homemade macaroni and cheese was a similar recipe I found in Rachael Ray magazine a few years agao–who would have thought to add nutmeg?! I never had Kraft mac n’ cheese as a child (my first time trying it was in college!), but we did occasionally get Velveeta shells n’ cheese, which I loved 🙂
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i know- isn’t it weird that nutmeg works in pasta?
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I love to add veggies (broccoli or brussel sprouts) to mac and cheese!
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i wouldn’t have liked it at as a kid but now i love it with veggies!
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The Mac n Cheese looks delicious! I’ll have to try it – I always crave cheese!
I definitely have several memories of Kraft Mac n Cheese- in the summertime, my best friend Stephanie and I would make a huge bowl and watching Full House or Saved by the Bell. Haha, gotta love the 90s!
I really like your blog btw!
Hannah
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awww so fun! yeah for the 90s 🙂 thanks! i’ll be sure to check out yours too!
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This looks fabulous! And I love the addition of broccoli 🙂 I used to love the Kraft blue box, but my tastes have definitely changed and I’m not really a fan anymore. I much prefer homemade, but if I do go boxed, it’s Annie’s White Cheddar Mac and Cheese!
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annie’s is great!!
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I love that you added broccoli – yummy! When I make a stove top mac and cheese, half way through cooking my macaroni I add a sliced onion to the pot and make a béchamel (white sauce) to which I add way too much cheese 😉 and just before serving stir through chunks for fresh tomato and fried streaky bacon.
🙂 Mandy
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my husband would love the addition of bacon!
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We always had the off-brand of macaroni and cheese because my mom was all about the best bargain. My husband is usually the one to make mac ‘n’ cheese, and he always adds a ton of extra things: broccoli, peppers, onions, and some tuna.
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sounds awesome!
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Yum! That mac n cheese looks delish! And I laughed when I read you were daydreaming in class because I could totally see myself doing the same thing!
I was a 100% Kraft kid! Sometimes…when I’m missing being little…I make up a batch of the original Kraft Mac N Cheese AND pb&j’s on white bread, cut diagonally of course. Ohhh the taste of youth haha
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oooh sounds great! though i’m sick of pb&j because i took that in my lunch all last year…
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This is my first time on your blog so I just wanted to say hi and my girls would totally go for that mac n’ cheese! Yum!!
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thanks for commenting!
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