One Pot Mac and Cheese is an easy recipe for a busy weeknight dinner. Homemade mac and cheese is so easy to make when the pasta, cheesy sauce and breadcrumb topping are all cooked in the same skillet!

Every forkful of this creamy mac and cheese is filled with cheesy goodness and topped with the texture of crispy breadcrumbs!
Jump to:
Easy Mac
I have an admission to make. Back in the day, I actually loved the macaroni and cheese with the powdered cheese mix that came in that blue box.
Sorry to disappoint y'all. But have no fear! I upgraded to the blue box with the prepared cheese sauce in the pouch that you just squeezed into the pasta, so easy!
Yes, it's true and I just cannot deny my past anymore. But I did finally come to my senses and began making my mac and cheese from scratch. That way I could control what goes into my bowl of cheesy pasta. And you should too!
And I will admit that there's nothing quite like a one pot homemade mac and cheese.
I've made it super easy for you with this creamy stovetop mac and cheese recipe with the pasta, cheesy sauce and breadcrumb topping all cooked together in the same skillet!
You can use a cast iron skillet and make this a cast iron skillet mac and cheese. Just be sure that you use a skillet with deep sides.
And the secret ingredient that makes it rich and delectable? It’s evaporated milk!
I promise that my one pot mac and cheese with evaporated milk will make you forget all about that boxed pasta with the powdered cheese.
Oh, and did I mention the finishing touch? Buttery breadcrumbs. You're welcome!
So please forgive me for my past shortcomings...but we all have to start somewhere!
Luckily we are all ending up in a really good place together with a fabulous homemade One Pot Mac and Cheese that will be a family favorite in no time at all!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Be sure to visit the Swirls of Flavor Amazon Storefront for GG's personal kitchen recommendations!
Swirls of Flavor Recipe Tips
- Stir in crumbled crispy bacon
- Add small diced cheddar cheese pieces
Substitutions
- Prefer a milder cheese? Use mild shredded cheddar cheese instead of extra sharp cheddar cheese
- Use seasoned Italian breadcrumbs in place of the panko breadcrumbs
Equipment
Ingredients
Ingredients for skillet mac and cheese
- butter
- seasoned panko breadcrumbs
- water
- evaporated milk
- cavatappi pasta
- Worcestershire sauce
- spicy brown mustard
- extra sharp cheddar cheese
One Pot Recipes
One Pot Recipes are the answer to your busy weeknight dinner dilemma. You will want to add these One Pot Recipes to your menu lineup and take the stress out of dinner from now on!
One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs is an easy recipe that cooks pasta and homemade meatballs together in a delicious tomato sauce. Ground beef meatballs simmer in a quick homemade sauce and then uncooked spaghetti is added. Skillet spaghetti and meatballs finish cooking together in one pot for a saucy pasta dinner!
One Pot Mexicali Bowtie Pasta is seasoned with salsa, chili powder and cumin, giving it a Mexican flair. Top it with melty cheese and fresh scallion and all you’ll need is cornbread and a salad and you’re all set for a Mexican fiesta!
One Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta makes it’s own velvety tomato sauce and gets it’s creaminess from a secret ingredient….cream cheese!
One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese is an easy dinner recipe kids will love and it’s filled with cheesy saucy goodness and made in just one pot!
Change up your Taco Tuesday this week with our One Pot Taco Beef and Rice. A taco skillet recipe that’s quick, easy and delicious will soon become a family favorite taco alternative. With all the flavors of a taco, you can eat this easy taco rice recipe in a bowl or in taco shells.
One Pot Pepperoni Pizza Pasta is an easy recipe for pasta that cooks together with pepperoni slices, pizza sauce and diced tomatoes with a cheesy mozzarella topping! All the flavors of pepperoni pizza in a bowl of pasta with just 5 ingredients + water!
One Pot Mac 'N Cheese Recipe
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
- 3 cups water
- 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
- 8 ounces uncooked cavatappi pasta
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 2 cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Melt butter over medium-high heat in large skillet with tall sides.
- Add breadcrumbs and cook until golden and toasted. Reserve.
- In same skillet bring water, evaporated milk. cavatappi, Worcestershire and mustard to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, uncovered, 12 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in shredded cheddar and cook on low, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted and a sauce has formed.
- Sprinkle with reserved toasted breadcrumbs.
Thanks for stopping by. Leave a tip or comment...