Gluesticks Blog

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • DIY
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • DIY
    • About Me
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Creamy One Pot Macaroni and Cheese (+ Video)

    January 6, 2023 By Brandy Leave a Comment

    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    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!

    one pot Mac and cheese

    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.

    spoonful of macaroni and cheese

    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.

    bowl of one pot macaroni and cheese

    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!

    pot of Mac and cheese

    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.

    elbow macaroni noodles in cheese sauce

    Add shredded cheese, sour cream and salt.

    Stir until heated through and cheese is melted.

    Add cooked past and stir.

    shredded cheese sprinkled over macaroni and cheese

    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.

    spoonful of one pot macaroni and cheese

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

    bowl of Mac and cheese

    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 9x13 casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Cover with foil. Bake and broil as directed.

    Creamy One Pot Macaroni and Cheese

    spoonful of 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 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ 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 ½ 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
    Share
    Pin

    More Main Dishes

    • a plate with pork chops over rice, broccoli and a roll
      Easy Pork Chops and Rice (Slow Cooker and Stove Top)
    • 25 easy slow cooker recipes
      25 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
    • bowl of penne instant pot Alfredo
      Easy Instant Pot Alfredo (+ Video)
    • French dip sandwich with potato chips and au jus on platter
      Amazing Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches (+ Video)

    About Brandy

    Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Welcome!

    I'm Brandy! I love to create and share my ideas through easy-to-follow recipes and tutorials.

    More about me

    As an Amazon Associate, I make a small commission on qualifying purchases.

    sew with me kids sewing book
    My Book

    Latest Posts

    • To Die For Blueberry Muffins
    • mini s'mores pie on white plate
      Mini S'Mores Pies
    • slab pie on white plate
      Peach Slab Pie
    • baba bar on spatula
      Frosted Banana Nut Bars

    Seasonal

    • M&M Cookies piled on top of each other
      Soft M&M Cookies (Soft and Thick) + Video
    • red, white and blue shortbread cookies
      Patriotic Shortbread Cookies (Video)
    • star shaped cookie with frosting and fruit
      Red White & Blue Mini Fruit Pizzas (Video)
    • Simple and Inexpensive Patriotic Wreath Tutorial

    Footer

    ↑ Back to Top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Gluesticks Blog

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.