# Stovetop mac and cheese (from Food Wishes)

Video: ["Instant" Mac & Cheese - One-Pan, No-Bake Mac & Cheese - Food Wishes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c4t3bkGeDY) by [Food Wishes](https://www.youtube.com/@foodwishes).
RecipesMD is not affiliated with Food Wishes. Steps are paraphrased in our own words.
Status: machine-read from the video, not yet checked by a person.
Source correction: [Food Wishes published recipe](https://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2019/03/instant-mac-and-cheese-thinking-outside.html), checked 2026-10-02. Measurements, two-portion yield, topping and heat-off instruction checked against Chef John’s recipe for this video. Creator-recipe badges identify those measurements. Not kitchen-tested.

- Serves: 2
- Total time: 10 min
- Ontario estimate*: ~$3.46 per serving, ~$6.91 for 2 serving(s); saves ~$11.54* per serving (77%) vs ordering out (~$15.00*). * Estimate: 2 line(s) we couldn't price were filled with typical costs for their type; restaurant comparison is a typical Ontario mac and cheese at ~$15, before delivery fees, tax and tip. Prices: Ontario averages (StatCan 2026-07) + RecipesMD estimates, pro-rated, staples excluded.

## Ingredients

- 2 cups whole milk _(creator recipe)_
- 1 tsp kosher salt (for fine salt, use half as much) _(creator recipe)_
- a pinch cayenne pepper _(creator recipe)_
- a very small pinch nutmeg _(creator recipe)_
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, for pasta _(creator recipe)_
- 1 cup small elbow macaroni _(creator recipe)_
- 2 packed cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated _(creator recipe)_
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, for topping _(creator recipe)_
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, for topping _(creator recipe)_

## Steps

1. [0:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c4t3bkGeDY&t=29s) Bring the milk to a simmer in a pan over medium heat.
2. [0:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c4t3bkGeDY&t=33s) Season the milk with kosher salt, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, and butter.
3. [0:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c4t3bkGeDY&t=54s) Stir the dry elbow macaroni directly into the simmering milk.
4. [1:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c4t3bkGeDY&t=105s) Cook the macaroni, stirring every couple of minutes, until fully tender.
5. [2:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c4t3bkGeDY&t=120s) Grate the cheddar cheeses.
6. [2:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c4t3bkGeDY&t=141s) Reduce to the lowest heat and stir in the cheddar. Turn off the heat as soon as it has melted, or nearly melted; prolonged heat can make the sauce grainy.
7. [2:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c4t3bkGeDY&t=152s) Turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for 3 minutes.
8. For the optional topping, toast the panko in the topping butter over medium heat until golden, then sprinkle over the pasta.
9. [3:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c4t3bkGeDY&t=207s) Uncover, stir well, adjust seasoning with salt, and serve topped with toasted panko breadcrumbs.

## Equipment

- pan
- grater
- spatula
- lid
- bowl

## What the video didn't say

- Total preparation and cooking time is not stated.
- Cheddar weight is a published range of 6–8 oz for 2 packed cups; no exact weight is asserted.
- The added topping step comes from the published recipe and has no verified video timestamp.

Source page: https://recipesmd.com/v/food-wishes-mac-and-cheese