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This super easy One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese is the perfect recipe for sneaking in vegetables. Elbow macaroni and broccoli are boiled together until al dente. Then a splash of milk, a handful of sharp cheddar cheese, and a little shredded zucchini. Together they create a creamy mac and cheese that’s wholesome and delicious. This simple mac and cheese is made all in one pot, in just 30 minutes.

One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese | halfbakedharvest.com

We’re starting the week off right with Monday Mac and Cheese! Growing up, mac and cheese was the frozen Stouffers kind. Looking back, I can’t believe I ever ate microwaved mac and cheese in plastic. It’s a little cringy to think about. But I will say, I do recall them being pretty good.

The sides would get a little crispy, crunchy (which probably meant it was cooked too long? who knows) and the center was creamy, cheesy, and perfect.

For whatever reason, I don’t remember Kraft mac and cheese being in our kitchen. I think the boys may have made it in high school. But by then I had sworn off boxed mac and cheese.

Point is, I love the idea of a quick stove-top mac and cheese. But prefer mine to be homemade and with real ingredients.

This solves that problem. It might not be as quick as popping a frozen meal into the microwave, but I promise, it’s so much more delicious and nutritious.

I snuck in some broccoli, secretly added in zucchini (and you’d never know), while still keeping this creamy and cheesy.

One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese | halfbakedharvest.com

The process

Start by boiling a big pot of water on the stove. Use a pot that will be large enough to hold both the pasta and the broccoli.

Once the water has come to a boil, add the pasta and the broccoli. Boil together until al dente, then simply stir in all the remaining ingredients, and that’s kind of it. The key is to use a touch of cream cheese and creamy dijon mustard for creaminess. But the real secret is the shredded zucchini. It helps to create the perfect amount of creamy sauce while adding a vegetable at the same time.

One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese | halfbakedharvest.com

Sounds like it’s going to be weird, but this is fully family approved. The boys didn’t even realize there was any zucchini.

For the cheeses, I love using a mix of melted cheddar for flavor and Monterey jack for creaminess. Together they create that ideal cheese pull we all love so much. A little parmesan could be good too, but then you lose that “classic” mac and cheese flavor.

To season it up, I like to use paprika and cayenne. Perfect combo, you don’t even know it’s in there really, but yet it adds so much to the dish.

Definitely makes it better than the frozen stuff, that’s for sure.

One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese | halfbakedharvest.com

Excited to have this recipe in my back pocket. It’s pretty perfect any time of the year and everyone really loves it. Even Asher, who’s picky about adding vegetables to mac and cheese, loves this. She actually said, “the broccoli makes it better”!

So there ya go! She doesn’t lie.

One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other one pot recipes? Here are my favorites: 

French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

One Skillet White Chicken Chili Bake

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

Lastly, if you make this One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 507 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, the pasta, and broccoli. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes. Do not drain the water. Stir in the milk, cream cheese, and mustard, and cook until the cream cheese has melted and the pasta is al dente, about 4-5 minutes more. Stir in the zucchini.
    2. Add the cheeses, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, and butter (if using), and stir until melted and creamy. Remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper. If the sauce feels thick, add ¼ cup milk or water to thin.
    3. Divide the mac and cheese between bowls. Top with black pepper.
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One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese | halfbakedharvest.com

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Comments

  1. Delicious!! Used cheeses I already had on hand (Colby jack, Mozzarella, Parmesan) and it was still incredible! I also used a little more water in the beginning to make it easier to boil. Will make again for sure!

    1. Hi Melissa,
      Happy Friday!! I am so glad to hear this recipe was a winner, thanks for giving it a go:) xTieghan

  2. 2 stars
    Way too much cheese. Neither me nor my husband loved this so wouldn’t make it again. Much prefer the Hamburger Helper recipe so will stick with that.

  3. 5 stars
    I must admit I was skeptical about how this would turn out, but I trust (and love) your recipes so followed the directions with a few minor adjustments, and it was delicious! I cut the broccoli into small florets rather than chopping it (since that what the pictures looked like), used a little less Dijon than called for as recommended by some reviewers, a teaspoon of cayenne for some heat and added the butter. Both my husband and I thought it was great, and I’ll definitely be making it again.

    1. Hi Helen,
      Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a go:) xTieghan

  4. 5 stars
    Oh my goodness! This was so good. I added an extra cup of water while first boiling the pasta and broccoli to make it 5 cups. I did not need to use butter at the end. I do not usually use paprika and cayenne pepper in mac and cheese but they made it so good!! Going for seconds now 🙂

    1. Hey Danielle,
      Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a go:) xTieghan

  5. I also am a huge HBH fan and use the recipes at least 2-3 times a week and use all the baked good recipes. While none of the baked good recipes disappoint I have to say this was not a favorite. It was creamy and all the components worked as written but it just lacked flavor and was just boring and not at all cheesy. It doesn’t deter me. I still love you Tieghan : )

    1. Hey Tara,
      Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend:) xT

  6. 5 stars
    Made this last week, and absolutely loved it!! The zucchini hides beautifully, and it’s so nice to know that there are extra veggies packed in.

    1. Hi Lindsey,
      Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it!! Have the best day:) xx

    1. Hey Georgina,
      Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it!! Have the best day:) xx

    1. Hey Annie,
      Wonderful!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Yes, you can freeze the leftovers. xT

  7. I made this with whole wheat pasta, full dairy, and it was just perfect (used whole milk, butter, freshly grated cheddar, and sliced the zucchini).
    I added some left over pork ribs (diced) for some more protein. I’m looking forward to making a vegetarian/vegan version with coconut milk.
    I can’t wait to try more of your recipes! Thank you!

  8. 5 stars
    Amazing!! I added some baked chicken to add protein. My husband asked for the leftovers for lunch this week! Huge hit for sure.

    1. Hey Tawnya,
      Awesome!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a hit. Have the best week:) xx

    1. Hey Connie,
      Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan