Quick, Essential Stovetop Mac-and-Cheese | Smitten Kitchen with Deb Perelman

[@smittenkitchening]

Thanks for watching! Let me know how my stovetop Mac and Cheese recipe compares to your favorite boxed!

[@michelleryan5962]

I worked at a restaurant that would do a super quick mac and cheese using just heavy cream, and a handful each of grated parmesan and grated sharp cheddar. You just heat the cream a tad in a saute pan, throw in the cheeses, then as they start melting, throw in a bigger handful of pasta, stir & shake the saute pan until it's all gooey and amazing. S&P to taste - dish it up. So easy peasy!

[@jennrenn1976]

Thats how I cook mine. I had gestational diabetes with my second child and found this way of cooking it on a gestational diabetes website where they avoid using flour. It’s also a great base for cauliflower cheese too. Book your cauliflower, pour sauce over, top with cheese and bake in oven. Makes it more KETO friendly too.

[@mzelysium89]

I always love it when people popularize really foundational skills from "proper" French cuisine. It doesn't take much to make bechamel, but it's not a skill a lot of people have or know they do, even when they can be SO useful! You're great on camera, too. I'm looking forward to more videos!

[@sunnywellness-f9v]

Deb you are the best, love that you're making videos now and we get to see more of your sunny personality. Thank you!

[@marissapage2288]

I just had my wisdom teeth out and rest assured I have made this for at least 3 meals. Love it and love you Deb!!!

[@susankilpatrick2918]

I have made this so many times. LOVE it - fast - easy - and yummy.

[@333konneko]

So so glad to see more of your videos! Started cooking from your blog in my early 20s - Brussels sprouts, lemon bars, and banana bread (which later turned into fruit bread experiments). Cooking for 1 is also so important to get comfortable scaling recipes. You are amazing!

[@ellenmerrill1663]

I just love watching your videos, Deb; you are so "real" !

[@xXcrimsonxroseXx]

I'm watching this as I eat my pile of vegetables for lunch, deeply questioning my life choices.

[@Lisamakes]

When my kids were little I would make “cheesy noodles”, or as they called it “Cheesy noo-noo”. A cup of sharp cheddar, a pat of butter, and a tablespoon of milk added to the hot, cooked pasta (one cup before being cooked) and stir until melted. Now I make full, baked Mac and cheese, and the kids still ask for cheesy noodles instead. :)

[@lindadewlaney6629]

We have something similar in our family -- it's called White Macaroni and Cheese, because the cheese we use is Monterey Jack. A little butter, milk, and about a cup and a half of grated Jack cheese sprinkled over the pot of drained, hot pasta -- put on the lid and let it sit for five minutes so the cheese melts, stir it all together and serve!! One of the few recipes passed down from my maternal grandmother.

[@emilycole6727]

DEB!!! I didn't know you were making videos until just this second. I have your cookbooks and have been using your website for years. So stoked about this move

[@lisaalpert8900]

I fell in "love" with Deb long ago when I stumbled across her blog, Hello "Smitten Kitchen"! I have lost track to how many I've saved and tried...I always wondered what she would be like in person LOW AND BEHOLD the power of the Internet and Deb I have to say you kinda giving me Ina Garten vibes! Love the channel!!! looking forward to watching more!!!! PS Your daughter is ADORABLES!!!!

[@ladyloneill]

Making it today! Your recipes have NEVER disappointed.

[@amyaitapata6155]

I do the same thing with broccoli. Midway through grating the cheese I can hear my friend Jocelyn in the back of my head saying I really need to eat something green, so I guiltily go to the freezer and pull out the broccoli. The nice thing, though, is that it can really stretch the recipe and then there's leftovers for lunch the following day.

[@KWolf2013]

I probably make this twice a month, it's perfect. (Singing 'cheesy cheesy' at the end is definitely an essential part of this recipe)

[@jennam5990]

This is making MY LIFE that you're doing cooking videos 🥳 Love you, Deb. Love the personal portion size! YAS!

[@kathleenkolb3316]

This looks fabulous, can't wait to give it a go. Recently I tried making mac & cheese in the microwave, was a disaster! I've been craving it lately. Was looking at your cookie recipes and found this. Wonderful as all your recipes and videos are, so real! Love your comments. Make your Dutch Babies on a regular basis. Thanks!

[@thegloomcookie2321]

Made this for dinner just now and inhaled the whole bowl in about 5 minutes. Absolutely divine!

[@jiffreypop]

Love this quick mac and cheese, and it's homemade! Also love that I can remember this recipe and make it anytime!

[@kimberlyditz9929]

Now I want some Mac&Cheese! Pot boiling over? I learned something new last year...if you lay a utensil (I use a wooden spoon) across the pot of noodles (or anything!) while it's simmering...it won't boil over!! Don't ask me how, but this works for me every time, I wish I'd learned it 40 years ago!

[@feliceschonfeld9947]

You have the perfect video technique mastered. You make me laugh out loud every time. Thank you Deb.

[@terrichicosky5676]

My younger son always preferred the box until he turned about 16 and decided to prefer the homemade. I also do tend to drop the veggies in to the pasta water while it’s boiling because it saves a pot

[@kirybabe]

I'm so devoted to my mother's mac & cheese baked casserole (very similar to yours, but baked after) but I am gonna try this!

[@karenlauterwasser7753]

My kids have always liked long noodles. I’ve always favored “rumples” myself - like rotini - because I could cook it in less water without it clumping. My kids are now aged 31-22, and it’s still a bone of contention.

[@julia_l-c]

I was just thinking I wanted mac and cheese for dinner this week, but didn't want to deal with a whole to-do of making a big batch of homemade. But this single serving is perfect!!! Enough to split with the BF as a side or just for me!! And I think I have everything on hand, excellent! 😁

[@robind.5370]

Loved watching you test the pasta!! Can so relate!!! So easy I will definately make this!!!

[@andreazizack5358]

I love this recipe! I make it all the time, but I usually sub out goat cheese from the local farmers market for the cheddar. Thanks for the great recipe!

[@andreachan6386]

Deb, I've read your blog for so many years and your recipes are all my go-to's. I'd never heard your voice and seen your mannerisms but somehow it felt like it was all so familiar, like I already knew you! Love the video, already subscribed, and going to check all the other videos out

[@woot89]

Deb - keep these videos coming! This was delicious! I made it as a side for a steak dinner for two. These videos are the best!!!

[@donnameir4539]

Deb shout out from Tel Aviv! I've made so many of you recipes (meatballs two days ago) love the chanel! love you!

[@melaniezuidema9369]

Delicious every time, and so easy!

[@samanthagarner2926]

Single Serving is the way to go! I like to add a little mustard and cayenne to mine too

[@spoinklesprouts]

Interesting! The roux/bechamel you made in this video looks different from mine. Whenever I make this recipe I usually add the flour a little at a time and gradually pour in the milk, splash by splash. The butter and flour mixture tends to get quite thick and quickly absorbs each bit of milk, sometimes faster than I can whisk. I'm always afraid there's going to be lumps but it always turns out fine. Here it looks like you add each ingredient all at once and the sauce looks thinner than what I'm used to. I'll have to try it this way; it seems easier and less stressful. PS love the tiny whisk! Much better than a fork. I probably have enough kitchen tools but I'm going to look for one anyway...

[@martynkal.1248]

You've been my favourite food blog since 200..6? and I never realised you had a KZbin channel! Happy day! I love this recipe. It is the perfect thing when my health does not allow to make a super nutritious meal that takes a long time to cook.

[@susanimker4052]

Deb, you are just amazing. Love your recipes and your videos.

[@thelmacgrandguzman56]

Enjoyed your presentation so much. Thank you

[@kristenberry3110]

PERFECT! I needed this so much! Thanks Deb!

[@noisyyy8152]

So easy and delicious - thank you!

[@marvymaxee]

This is exactly what I needed today! Thank you. Thank you!

[@leslieburke5837]

Can you make a larger amount? Looks so good!! You are so down to earth love this show and its title❤️

[@jemmonfoe]

Also great with some grated nutmeg!

[@deannamusiziert]

My plan was to make your potato gratin tonight... but this mac and cheese is so quick and delicious 🤔

[@simplymadeeats]

Yum! Love the pasta choice too!

[@divinebluesky]

Please keep doing videos for us! You are amazing ❤️

[@suratiivey9142]

What do you think about GF pasta used in this ?

[@TheLadyJaneDarcy]

You are so fun. I love this.

[@denisecanellos9393]

This looks delicious! Where did you get that perfect little whisk?

[@smittenkitchening]

I was using the small but also have the large of this whisk: amzn.to/2S3zDvb

[@bethgoldman2560]

Ooo, add in broccoli and because I need to be “fancy”…I’ll add in some crumbled bacon!

[@donnaboucher7]

Looks amazing Deb!! Thanks

[@elizabethc6197]

Homemade mac and cheese is always better than boxed! What is that orange powder anyway? Good video, although you need a larger pot to boil the pasta, and that type of pasta is called "bow tie" pasta.

[@MsRlange]

I have made this and love it!

[@krishahodge8164]

Love this and make it all the time! One bowl perfection just for me lol

[@tomsaaristo6294]

Yum! I didn't come from a mac and cheese family so I appreciate this recipe very much; I need that pasta though! Oh, BTW, lay a wooden spoon over your boiling water and it won't boil over

[@SteveMillerhuntingforfood]

I would make and eat that in a New York minute. My variation would be adding crumbled, crisp bacon and slices of Sweet/Hot Jalapenos from Mrs Renfro's.

[@lorrainecrance5056]

I’ve been following you and your cookbooks for years! I bet your kids are in college! Lol time goes by so fast, I’m only kidding I hope... you have the best recipes!

[@jillianseward3039]

Hi Deb! Love the video and your recipes as always. What is the tiny cute little whisk you used?

[@smittenkitchening]

Thank you! I have the small and large of this: amzn.to/2S3zDvb

[@jaleenkinser2140]

Thank you!

[@SR-bi2vx]

Yes! - a teaspoonful of English mustard in a cheese sauce is an essential for me.

[@heidic8350]

I had no idea--you have the sensuality of Ina Garten and Nigella Lawson! Love seeing you.

[@aaron74]

Linked here from Kenji's channel. This looks like the best hack snack ever. Gonna make some now.

[@katgrrl77]

Can this be done gluten free with 1:1 replacements?

[@pbb525]

Yes real recipe please for those of us who have a few horror stories from the just use a little of this and a little of that method! 🤣

[@carolsurine8785]

I think the pasta is mafalda.

[@amybaumert140]

My kids overhearing the recipe while I’m cooking it: “DO NOT DROP VEGETABLES INTO OUR MAC N CHEESE!!

[@allysonrogers9701]

So balanced :)

[@conniealldis]

"you can hit this anytime" oh Deb!

[@margaretmiller9811]

hey I love your videos! Why do all recipes say you need a gallon of water to cook pasta? I see that you are successfully doing it in a very small saucepan. RSVP

[@ludovicapiccinini7936]

It's better if the pasta can move around a lot of water at a rolling boil. It cooks more evenly and it is more likely to remain al dente. However, classic American mac and cheese is basically always at least slightly overcooked, to an Italian palate, so it was not much in an issue in this instance :)

[@luiysia]

she is only making one portion of pasta :)

[@lindakirschbaum6321]

Can you use other types of cheese?

[@smittenkitchening]

Absolutely. I find I get the most salty, flavorful impact in small amounts from parmesan or parmesan and white cheddar, as I use here, but you can absolutely use any other cheese you like in mac-and-cheese.

[@mollyhetland9416]

yummy

[@808allday7]

Kenji sent me here

[@xToxicTurtlex]

I've been doing the same for 40 yrs... but for the kids, just slices of American cheese because they want the 'orange' color.

[@ewilliams-vr5tl]

Deb! You're adorable!

[@ipt3000]

Put a wooden spoon sitting across ur pot edge and it won’t boil over!

[@BeachGal-mf9xd]

If you put a wooden spoon across the top of your macaroni pan, it won't boil over!

[@SteveMillerhuntingforfood]

when I do stove top mac n cheese, I just eat it out of the pot.

[@Cathy.C.]

This looks great, going to try it! However, you Americans use soooo much salt. I think it will be fine without the salt, there's lots of salt in cheese.

[@avra-shafaohla8003]

Deb. Why don't you just use a slotted spoon when checking if the pasta is ready? Were you just trying to avoid washing an extra utensil? But you don't seem to care about extra dishes for the sake of the video because you used pre-measured ingredients in a bunch of separate prep bowls. Is there a method to your madness??

[@smittenkitchening]

Absolutely no method. I was being pointlessly stubborn.