Creamy One Pot Macaroni and Cheese (+ Video)

This one-pot macaroni and cheese is easy to make and so creamy! Cheese, noodles, milk, butter, and sour cream.  It’s delicious served fresh or as leftovers. If you don’t have an oven-safe pot, no worries! I have directions for baking it in a casserole dish too!

Watch our step by step video!

This is our family’s favorite homemade macaroni and cheese recipe. It’s cheesy, smooth, easy to make, and absolutely delicious. I think it is similar to Chick-fil-A’s mac and cheese. I’m sure they use a variety of cheeses to get the signature taste, but I keep it simple and use sharp cheddar cheese. This recipe makes a big pot of macaroni and cheese that is perfect for family gatherings and potlucks. If by chance you have leftovers, it reheats well and is delicious the next day too.

Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese

You can make this in a pot and then transfer it to a casserole dish for baking (and I have directions for how to do that at the end of the post), but if you have an oven-safe pot this is a great one-pot recipe and saves you a step! I use a 4-qt. dutch oven, but you can use any oven-safe pot.

One Pot Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients

(scroll to the end of the post for recipe card)

• Elbow macaroni
• Butter
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• Can of Cheddar Cheese Soup*
• Sour Cream
• Salt
• Milk

*Now, don’t you dare come at me for using a can of cheese soup in my recipe. If you don’t like canned soups that’s totally fine. There are plenty of recipes out there without it!

How to Make Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Boil pasta according to the directions on the box. Drain and set aside.

Melt butter in the pot. Add can of cheddar soup and milk.

Heat until smooth and creamy.

Add shredded cheese, sour cream and salt.

Stir until heated through and cheese is melted.

Add cooked past and stir.

Sprinkle with more cheese, cover with a lid, and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove lid and broil 3-5 minutes until top begins to brown.

Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

The mac and cheese will thicken as it stands. Give it a good stir before serving.

Cheesy, creamy, and delicious!

Alternate Instructions for Casserole Dish: Make as directed, but instead of baking in an oven-safe pot, transfer to a greased 9×13 casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Cover with foil. Bake and broil as directed.

Creamy One Pot Macaroni and Cheese

One Pot Macaroni and Cheese

This one-pot macaroni and cheese is easy to make and so creamy! Cheese, noodles, milk, butter, and sour cream.  It's delicious served fresh or as leftovers.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 320kcal

Ingredients

• 3 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
• 6 Tbsp. butter
• 1 can cheddar cheese soup (10.75 oz)
• 3 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk

Instructions

• Bring a pot of water to a boil.

  Cook pasta according to the package.

  Drain.

  Set pasta aside.
• Return pot to the stove. Add butter and heat on medium heat until melted.
• Add cheese soup and milk. Stir until heated through.
• Stir in 3 cups of shredded cheese, sour cream, and salt.
• Stir until heated through and cheese is melted.
• Add cooked pasta and stir.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Cover.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Remove lid/cover. Broil for 3-5 minutes, or until top begins to brown.

  Macaroni and cheese will thicken as it stands.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container. 

Alternate Instructions for Casserole Dish: Make as directed, but instead of baking in oven-safe pot, transfer to a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Cover with foil. Bake and broil as directed.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal