Easy Mac &amp; Cheese (stovetop, No Flour Needed!)

8 oz dried macaroni (about 2 cups)

1 cup whole milk

2 Tablespoons salted or unsalted butter

½ teaspoon salt

¼ - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon smoked paprika ((optional))

¼ teaspoon ground mustard ((optional))

1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese (see note)

4 slices American Cheese (see note)

Bring 3 cups of well-salted water to a boil in a medium-saucepan over high heat.
Once water comes to boil, add pasta, return to a boil, and cook 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Strain pasta, discarding the water. Leave the pasta in the strainer and return the saucepan to your burner.
Combine milk, butter, salt, pepper and paprika and mustard in the saucepan over medium-low heat and stir frequently over low heat until butter is melted.
Return pasta to saucepan and stir well.
Add cheeses, allow to sit about 30 seconds until slightly melty and then stir until all noodles are coated. Don't turn up the heat or the cheese will not melt properly.
Serve immediately. Stir in any desired add-ins (such as bacon) immediately before serving.

Course🍽️Main Course

Diets🥕Vegetarian...

Category🍝Pasta

Cuisine🇺🇸American

Occasions🍲Comfort Food📆Everyday

Season🔁Year-round

DifficultyEasy ⏰ 15m