It’s warm, it’s sticky, and you don’t want to cook. It’s that time of year when you just don’t feel like it. You’re not in the mood to turn on the stove- nor are you prepared to grill anything & it’s far too hot to have the oven on. We’ve spent all freakin’ winter cooking! ENOUGH! Or maybe it’s late; no time to defrost anything or go to the store. But you’ve still got mouths to feed (or you’re starving yourself!) & they won’t take no for an answer.
Well I have the solution: three cheese stovetop macaroni.
This is my go-to macaroni & cheese recipe for the warm months. Especially after a long day gardening or working outside. It’s adapted from this recipe I posted a couple of years ago (which as adapted from The Food Network magazine). There’s no baking required, and it comes together in a flash. Minimal cooking, too. Basically all you do is make the pasta, make a quick sauce, and toast some breadcrumbs.
Voila… dinner.
THREE CHEESE STOVETOP MACARONI
Ingredients:
- 1 pound cavatappi/celentani or gemelli (or other spiral pasta)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- 1 12-oz. can evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded monterey jack
- 3/4 cup shredded colby cheese
- 3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (either panko or regular)
Directions:
- Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente.
- Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour & cayenne pepper and stir with a wooden spoon to make a paste. Cook, stirring, until the paste fluffs slightly, about 1 minute. Whisk in both milks and add 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, then simmer, whisking occasionally, until slightly thickened and creamy, about 6 to 7 minutes.
- Add the cheddar and jack cheeses and whisk until melted; keep warm.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan. Add the breadcrumbs and cook until just toasted and slightly browned. Remove from heat.
- Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup cooking water, and return to the pot. Stir in the cheese sauce, adding the reserved cooking water (only if needed). Season with salt and top with the breadcrumb mixture. Serve.
I like to serve the breadcrumbs separately, in a little bowl. That way people can add as much or as little as they like. Also, when you’re halfway through a bowl it’s nice to add more.
The creamy factor of this mac is amazing.
And let me just say- if you’d like to bake it, then you may (some people, like Jay, enjoy those crunchy, burned little cheesy bits you get in a baked macaroni & cheese). About 15-25 minutes in a 375° degree oven or until it’s bubbly. But you definitely do not have to. It’s meant for immediate consumption!
Don’t get me wrong, this makes a great winter or fall dish too.
Suggestions for use: add broccoli/grilled chicken/roasted tomatoes/peppers/mushrooms/bacon/anything you like, makes a great side dish too.
Soundtrack: White Zombie – “Thunderkiss ’65”
Sources & credits: Pyrex “Woodland” bowl; vintage, unknown maker lace tablecloth; vintage, brown glazed & white bowl; vintage.
I'm Marilla. A 30-something artist, hobby baker, home canning enthusiast, gardener, DIY-er, wife, mommy of a baby boy and dog mom (to another baby boy) from New York. 
Loving the information on this site, you have done outstanding job
on the blog posts.
I do not know whether it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing issues with
your website. It appears as though some of the written text in your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too?
This may be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this
happen previously. Cheers
Hi there superb blog! Does running a blog such as this require a
massive amount work? I’ve absolutely no knowledge of programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyways, should you have any
recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share.
I understand this is off topic however I just wanted to ask.
Thanks a lot!
I’m really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever
run into any browser compatibility issues? A couple of my blog readers have complained about my blog
not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
Do you have any ideas to help fix this problem?
You made some decent points there. I looked on the web to
learn more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.
Simply desire to say your article is as surprising. The clarity to your submit is simply great and i could suppose you’re a professional
on this subject. Well along with your permission allow me to seize
your feed to stay up to date with drawing close post.
Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.
This design is spectacular! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that,
how you presented it. Too cool!
Hello, i believe that i noticed you visited my web site thus i came to go back
the desire?.I am attempting to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to
use a few of your ideas!!
Definitely imagine that which you said. Your favourite justification seemed to be at the
net the easiest factor to have in mind of. I say to you,
I definitely get annoyed at the same time as other people consider worries that they just don’t realize about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the highest and also outlined out the whole thing without having side-effects
, other folks could take a signal. Will likely
be again to get more. Thanks
I have read so many articles on the topic of the blogger lovers however this article is actually a
nice piece of writing, keep it up.
We stumbled over here coming from a different web page and thought I
may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
Look forward to going over your web page for a second time.
Hello There. I discovered your weblog the use of msn. That is a really well written article.
I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your useful information. Thank you for the post.
I’ll definitely comeback.
Your style is so unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from.
Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess
I will just bookmark this page.
Excellent blog here! Additionally your website so much up very fast!
What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink on your host?
I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Its like you read my mind! You appear to understand a lot
approximately this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I believe that you could do with some p.c.
to drive the message house a bit, but instead of that, that is great blog.
A great read. I will certainly be back.
It’s really a great and useful piece of info. I am happy that you
just shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this.
Thank you for sharing.
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks,
However I am encountering problems with your RSS. I don’t understand
the reason why I can’t join it. Is there anyone else getting the same RSS problems?
Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as
with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize
it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is
rare to see a great blog like this one today.
I think everything wrote was actually very reasonable. However,
think on this, what if you were to write a killer headline?
I am not saying your information is not solid, however suppose you added a post title that makes
people desire more? I mean CUPCAKE REHAB | est. 2007 is kinda plain. You ought to
glance at Yahoo’s home page and watch how they create article titles to grab viewers to click.
You might add a related video or a picture or two to get readers interested about
everything’ve got to say. Just my opinion, it would bring your blog a little livelier.
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment
(it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
Do you have any points for beginner blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
Helpful info. Lucky me I discovered your site accidentally, and I’m surprised why
this coincidence did not happened in advance! I bookmarked it.
What’s up mates, its enormous piece of writing concerning teachingand entirely explained, keep
it up all the time.
Hello! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew
where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
Thanks a lot!
Amazing issues here. I’m very glad to peer your article.
Thanks so much and I’m looking ahead to contact
you. Will you please drop me a mail?
Some truly interesting info, well written and broadly speaking user pleasant.
I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality
articles or blog posts in this sort of space .
Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this web site.
Studying this information So i am happy to exhibit that I’ve an incredibly good uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed.
I such a lot indisputably will make sure to do not overlook this site and provides it a glance regularly.