Easy 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese
On May 05, 2025
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You can make this easy 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese in under half an hour with simple, common ingredients, so you can feed the people you love.
Easy 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese
The name says it all with this easy 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese. You just need a handful of common ingredients and your grill or stove, and in less than 30 minutes, you can turn out this easy mac. There’s no frills or complicated steps here. This dis is all business, all flavor, and so simple to make, you can teach your kids. If you’re ready for a 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese you’ll be adding to the rotation, let’s get started.
Ingredients for this Recipe
This recipe not only tastes amazing and comes together quick, it takes just a few easy ingredients. You might want to make a quick stop for some Velveeta cheese, but otherwise, you’ve like got everything on hand for this dish already. Here’s what you need so you can get started:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni noodles (cooked according to package instructions)
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese (original flavor, cubed)
- 8 ounces medium cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ¾ cup whole milk
I also tend to add a little salt and pepper to taste before I finish cooking. That’s totally optional, though (and 5 or 6-ingredient Mac and Cheese just isn’t catchy).
What kind of cheese for macaroni?
I wanted to keep this recipe as basic, easy, and accessible as possible, so I went with a simple shredded cheddar and Velveeeta. The cheddar brings that classic, ooey-gooey texture when melted, and the Velveeta is a must-have for that smooth, creamy goodness. You can feel free to add any cheese you like. Check out my post for Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese for some inspiration, or get creative and try something new.
How to Make 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese
Alright, if you thought the ingredient list was simple, just wait until you see how easy the instructions are. Just follow these quick steps, and you can make this 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese in no time:
- Cook the pasta. Make and strain the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain using a colander. Because you’ll be cooking the noodles for a while in the cheese sauce, I recommend shooting for al dente noodles.
- Make the cheese sauce. Add the milk to a 12-inch cast iron skillet or pan over low heat in your grill or stovetop, then add the cubed Velveeta and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything vigorously with a whisk until the cheese melts into a nice, smooth sauce.
- Add the noodles and set. Add your cooked and drained noodles directly to the cheese sauce, then stir to combine. Be gentle. You want to ensure all the noodles have a nice coating of cheese, but you don’t want to stir so hard you break the macaroni.
- Let everything set. Remove your skillet from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. This gives the cheese sauce time to set and cling to all the perfectly-cooked noodles. After that, dig in!
Serving Suggestions
This easy mac and cheese looks and tastes great on a plate next to any savory, smoky BBQ meat you fill like making. Here are some ideas of meats you can serve with this, so you can have a proper cookout platter.
- Smoked brisket: Nothing goes with rich beef like a creamy mac.
- Pulled pork: Great side by side, better when you combine their powers.
- Ribs or chicken: If grilled meat is on the menu, go with mac and cheese.
- Veggies: It’s even awesome with pretty much any vegetable you can grill.
Will it Chili Mac?
One of my family’s favorite ways to enjoy leftover mac and cheese is with some of my famous Chili Mac. If you’re unfamiliar, this dish takes a classic mac and cheese, then tops it with a hearty chili. And yes, this 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese works incredibly well as a base. I highly recommend checking out these popular chili recipes, so you can make one to pair with your leftovers. This is, our course, totally optional. But trust me, you’ll be happy you did.
Storage and Shelf Life
Most homemade mac and cheese recipes store easily in your refrigerator, and this 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese is no exception. Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature, then place in an airtight container or gallon zip-top bag and store in your fridge. It will stay good for you to enjoy again later. This way, you’ve got it ready to top with chili, to stuff burgers or bites, or any other way you enjoy leftover mac and cheese.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes
After you get a taste of just how creamy and delicious this easy mac recipe is, you’ll be craving it all the time. I’ve got all kinds of awesome recipes in the Hey Grill Hey App, from basic to over-the-top, loaded mac. Here are some popular options, so you can find your next favorite:
4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese Recipe
Follow the recipe card below so you can enjoy this 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese with the people you love. When you’re good and stuffed, get a little finger cardio by leaving a 5-star review telling me how easy this came together for you.
You should also follow me on Instagram and Facebook, then share some photos of your dish. Make sure to tag @heygrillhey so the whole community can cheer you on your journey to become a Backyard BBQ Hero.
Easy 4-Ingredient Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni noodles cooked according to package instructions
- 8 ounces Velveeta original flavor, cubed
- 8 ounces medium cheddar cheese shredded
- ¾ cup milk whole
- salt and pepper optional, to taste
Instructions
- Make the pasta. Make the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain using a colander.1 pound elbow macaroni noodles
- Make the cheese sauce. Add the milk to a 12-inch cast iron skillet or pan over low heat, then add the Velveeta and cheddar cheese. Whisk vigorously until everything is incorporated into a smooth sauce.8 ounces Velveeta, ¾ cup milk, 8 ounces medium cheddar cheese
- Add the noodles. Add your cooked and drained noodles directly to the cheese sauce, then stir to combine. Be gentle. You want to ensure all the noodles have a nice coating of cheese, but you don’t want to stir so hard you break the macaroni.salt and pepper
- Let everything set. Remove your skillet from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. This gives the cheese sauce time to set and cling to all the perfectly-cooked noodles.
- Serve and enjoy. Serve your mac and cheese in bowls as a side for your favorite BBQ meats, or add toppings and enjoy it as a main dish.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
