This Creamy Skillet Mac and Cheese is the kind of comfort food that feels extra special but still easy enough for weeknights. Medium shells get coated in a silky, brie-forward cheese sauce with a little Dijon for balance and fresh thyme for cozy flavor. Then it’s finished under the broiler with buttery crushed crackers for the ultimate golden, crunchy topping. One skillet, big creamy payoff, and no baked casserole wait time. If you’re looking for a creamy mac and cheese recipe that’s rich, crowd-friendly, and perfect for holidays or family dinners, this skillet version is a total win.
table of contents
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 8
Ingredients List
Pasta + Cheese Sauce
- 1 lb medium shells
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2½ tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp minced thyme
- 1 (8 oz) brie round, rind removed
- 4 oz shredded white cheddar cheese
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
Buttery Cracker Topping
- 10 buttered crackers, crushed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 tsp minced thyme
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large pot (for pasta)
- Strainer/colander
- 10-inch oven-safe skillet
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Small bowl (for topping)
- Measuring cups & spoons
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Boil pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shells and cook 7–9 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Multitask tip: While pasta cooks, start the sauce in your skillet. 😊
- Make roux: Set a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Melt butter, then whisk in flour. Cook 2–3 minutes until it smells slightly nutty (raw flour smell fades).
- Add milk: Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Lower heat to medium-low and stir until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Season: Stir in Dijon, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Melt cheeses: Remove skillet from heat. Add brie and cheddar a handful at a time, stirring until each addition melts and the sauce is smooth and glossy 🧀✨
- Combine: Fold drained shells into the sauce until evenly coated. Taste and adjust salt/pepper.
- Broil topping: Turn broiler to high. Mix crushed crackers + melted butter + thyme in a bowl. Sprinkle over mac and cheese.
- Broil: Broil 1–2 minutes until topping is golden and the edges are bubbly. Watch closely—broilers move fast! 🔥
- Rest + serve: Let sit 5–7 minutes before serving so it thickens slightly.
Pro Tips
- Remove brie rind: It helps the sauce stay silky and smooth.
- Shred your own cheese: It melts better than pre-shredded (less anti-caking stuff).
- Extra creamy: Add 2–3 tbsp more milk if sauce thickens too fast.
- Make-ahead: Cook pasta + make sauce, combine, then refrigerate. Rewarm gently and broil topping right before serving.
Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | 520 | 18g | 52g | 26g | 2g | 6g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
Creamy Skillet Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shells and cook 7–9 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Place a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook 2–3 minutes until the raw flour smell disappears.
- Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Lower heat to medium-low and stir until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Stir in Dijon mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Remove skillet from heat. Add brie and cheddar a little at a time, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
- Fold in cooked shells until coated. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Turn broiler to high. Mix crushed crackers, melted butter, and thyme. Sprinkle over mac and cheese.
- Broil 1–2 minutes until topping is golden and the edges are bubbly. Watch closely.
- Let rest 5–7 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
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This Creamy Skillet Mac and Cheese is rich, cozy, and guaranteed to impress—especially with that buttery cracker topping. Perfect for family dinners, holidays, and anytime you want next-level comfort food.