Creamy Chicken Broth Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
A comforting, creamy stovetop macaroni and cheese made with a rich blend of sharp cheddar, Swiss, and cream cheese, combined with savory chicken broth and seasoned with garlic and dry mustard powder. Perfect for a cozy meal that’s easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Broth and Pasta
- 4–5 cups chicken broth or stock
- 1¼ cups uncooked elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup milk
- 4 ounces spreadable cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Swiss cheese (or additional cheddar cheese)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: In a medium pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Do not drain the pasta; reserve all the broth for the sauce.
- Prepare Cheese Base: While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste, forming a roux.
- Add Garlic and Milk: Add the minced garlic to the roux and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the milk, adding it gradually to ensure a smooth mixture.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir in the onion powder, dry mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking over medium heat, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens and becomes bubbly. Let it boil gently for about 1 minute to fully activate the thickening.
- Combine Cheeses: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, and Swiss cheese. Whisk continuously until all the cheeses melt and the sauce turns smooth and thick.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni along with the reserved chicken broth into the cheese sauce. Stir well to combine all ingredients, then heat over medium heat for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through.
- Season and Serve: Taste the macaroni and cheese, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Serve garnished with extra shredded cheese and chopped parsley if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Do not drain pasta to retain flavorful broth for the sauce.
- Use sharp cheddar for a robust cheese flavor.
- Swiss cheese can be substituted with more cheddar if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
- Adjust milk quantity slightly for desired sauce thickness.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for a spicier version.
Keywords: macaroni and cheese, comfort food, creamy pasta, stovetop mac and cheese, cheese sauce, cheddar cheese
