This is comfort food at its best, people. This macaroni and cheese doesn’t come from a box, yet it still whips up in less than 20 minutes. I already have a favorite easy mac ‘n cheese recipe that’s baked, but, it’s always nice to have variations, especially when it means an even more saucy mac ‘n cheese with no time needed in the oven!
You can use yellow or white American cheese. In the photo above, I used white since I had some left over from the White Cheese Dip. The peas are optional, of course, but I would highly recommend adding them as they give a nice bite amidst all of the cheese. I love it as a tribute to my grandfather who always has peas in his shell pasta with spaghetti sauce. Plus, what a better way to get in some of those nutritional greens?
- 8 ounces macaroni pasta (shells, elbow, whatever you like!)
- 8 ounces American cheese (white or yellow), grated
- 1/2 cup fat-free Greek yogurt
- Salt and pepper , to taste
- 1 1/2 cup frozen peas , thawed (just run under cold water in a strainer for quick thawing process)
- 1 cup shredded cooked chicken (optional)
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Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Return cooked pasta to the pot.
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Mix in 1/4 cup of the pasta water, yogurt and 1/3 of the grated cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted, then add remaining cheese one handful at a time to prevent clumping. Add in additional pasta water, as necessary, to achieve desired cheese sauce consistency.
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Stir in the optional peas and chicken right before serving; serve warm.
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To reheat leftovers, microwave and stir in 30 second intervals. Add a tablespoon or two of skim milk or water, if needed, to thin the sauce.
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Source: Barely adapted from Confections of a Foodie Bride
Laura says
December 6, 2011 at 5:54 AMYum, I’ve had this bookmarked from Shawnda’s site for a while now, but not gotten around to it. Making the queso to go with chimichangas tonight, and I’ll probably have leftover chicken too. The stars may just align! Looks great.
Erin says
December 6, 2011 at 7:58 AMHow neat that you used Greek yogurt! I love stovetop mac and cheese that is as creamy as this one.
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles says
December 6, 2011 at 8:08 AMOooh, this looks fantastic and so, so simple. I’m loving the addition of Greek yogurt!
Christine says
December 7, 2011 at 9:52 PMHey Nikki, your Stove Top Pasta is a Recipe Guessing Game on Knapkins. Think your friends can win? http://www.knapkins.com/guess_games/985?source=blog
Show your foodie love and vote here
http://www.knapkins.com/duel?dish=15510
Laura Kuipers-Witte says
December 8, 2011 at 9:07 AMMy favorite Christmas gift came two years ago from my husband. He gave me my first and only pair of Uggs, which I absolutely love! Being a mom on a budget (and pregnant at that time), I would not spend that kind of money on something for myself that I didn’t “need”. I didn’t even know that he knew what Uggs were, but he managed to totally surprise me and got the exact ones I wanted in the perfect size!
Anna says
March 10, 2012 at 1:01 AMI love using vanilla yogurt for my stove top mac-n-cheese, gives it a nice tang, but will try the greek yogurt recipe!! YUMM!!