Description
Creamy, comforting one-pot mac and cheese emerges as a quick culinary hero for busy home cooks seeking delicious simplicity. Rich cheese sauce and tender pasta combine in a single skillet, delivering maximum flavor with minimal cleanup for hungry families craving classic comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (200 g) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Spices:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Finishing and Optional Ingredients:
- ½ cup (60 g) shredded mozzarella (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs for a bit of crunch
Instructions
- Prepare the one-pot mac and cheese foundation by combining uncooked pasta, milk, broth, water, and dry seasonings in a large cooking vessel, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Position the pot over medium heat and gently agitate the mixture to prevent pasta from sticking, allowing the liquid to reach a soft bubbling point.
- Reduce temperature to low, creating a gentle simmer that will cook the pasta and gradually absorb the surrounding liquid, stirring intermittently to ensure uniform cooking and prevent scorching.
- Monitor the pasta’s texture, testing for perfect al dente consistency while observing liquid reduction, which should occur within 8-10 minutes of simmering.
- Once pasta reaches desired tenderness, introduce shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring continuously to create a smooth, lustrous coating that envelops each pasta piece.
- Incorporate butter into the cheesy mixture, allowing it to melt completely and contribute to the sauce’s rich, velvety texture.
- If desired, stream heavy cream into the preparation, enhancing the sauce’s luxurious consistency and creating a more decadent flavor profile.
- Adjust the sauce’s thickness by adding small amounts of milk or broth, stirring until achieving the ideal creamy consistency that clings delicately to the pasta.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to serving dishes, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley, grated Parmesan, or a crunchy topping to add textural contrast.
- Accompany the dish with complementary sides like crisp green salad or steamed vegetables to create a balanced, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Customize the liquid ratio to achieve your preferred pasta texture, adding more broth for softer pasta or less for a firmer bite.
- Swap regular milk with alternatives like almond, oat, or lactose-free milk for dietary accommodations without compromising creamy richness.
- Experiment with cheese varieties such as gouda, gruyère, or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles and add depth to the classic mac and cheese.
- Include protein boost by mixing in cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, or sautéed vegetables like spinach or roasted bell peppers to transform this dish into a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg