Back to Recipe
4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese

4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese

This 4-ingredient mac and cheese is a simple stovetop recipe made with macaroni elbows, heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and American cheese.

Author: Kelsey Smith

Meal Type: American

Cuisine: American

Difficulty: EASY

Prep. Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 8 serving

Calories: 564 kcal per serving

Ingredients

  • 1 pound - elbow macaroni
  • 1 ½ cup - heavy cream
  • 2 cup - cheddar cheese
  • 8 ounce - American cheese
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Pour the uncooked elbow macaroni into a large pot. Add just enough water to cover the macaroni. This will help the water become more starchy. Salt the water.
  2. Bring to a low boil and cook, stirring frequently until the macaroni is nearly al dente. Most of the water will be absorbed or evaporated at this point.
  3. Add heavy cream and bring to a low simmer, stirring continuously until the noodles are fully cooked and the liquid is reduced.
  4. Remove from the heat and add the shredded cheddar cheese and American cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce becomes slightly thick. The sauce will thicken slightly as the macaroni cools. If needed, add another splash of cream or milk if the sauce is too thick.

Nutrition

Energy: 564 kcal | Total Fat: 33 g | Saturated: 19 g | Trans: 0 g | Cholesterol: 101 mg | Total Carbs: 47 g | Fiber: 2 g | Sugars: 5 g | Proteins: 20 g | Sodium: 806 mg | Polyunsaturated: 2 g | Monounsaturated: 8 g

©2026 OnlineCook LLC