One Pot Mac And Cheese | Tremendous Straightforward 20 Minute Basic Recipe

August 12, 2024

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The BEST and EASIEST creamy One Pot Mac And Cheese recipe cooked on the stovetop!

Creamy, tacky and on the desk in simply 20 minutes, that is the final word consolation meals – LOVED by younger and outdated alike!

Creamy one pot mac and cheese served in a bowl.

In case you are on the lookout for the best pasta recipe that the household will LOVE (fussy youngsters included) then this one pot macaroni and cheese is for you! Al denté pasta is coated in a tacky, creamy sauce to create a dinner that’s SO comforting, and fast and straightforward!

When I’m caught for dinner inspiration, I can at all times depend on pasta for an straightforward household dinner. Whether or not it is my one pot creamy pesto rooster pasta, 4 ingredient fettuccine carbonara, creamy tuna pasta bake or the well-known TikTok baked feta and tomato pasta, they’re all assured to be met with huge smiles, and I am left with clear plates afterwards.

A spoon holding up a spoonful of mac and cheese.

Why You are Going To Love This Recipe

Straightforward no fuss dinner recipe – made with primary components and needing minimal prep, cooked in a single pot, and on the desk in 20 minutes, this straightforward one pot mac and cheese is so fast and straightforward to make! Fills up hungry youngsters a deal with!
Funds-friendly – made with straightforward to seek out funds components, this stovetop pasta is a really economical dinner and you recognize the youngsters will devour it!
Vegetarian – whether or not you’re a vegetarian, or simply making an attempt to eat much less meat with just a few meat-free meals, one pot mac and cheese is a good meat-less pasta recipe.
Minimal tools – you solely want one massive pot! Much less trouble and fewer washing up wanted – which is at all times a bonus!
Household pleasant – youngsters and adults love this tacky pasta! This recipe can also be nice for feeding a big household.

What You Want

You want simply 7 primary funds pleasant components to make this straightforward recipe for macaroni cheese. Likelihood is you have already got them in your kitchen!

Observe: Scroll to the recipe card on the backside for the components portions and full detailed methodology.

Milk – I like to recommend utilizing full cream milk for the creamiest mac and cheese.
Macaroni pasta – also referred to as elbow pasta.
Butter – including butter to 1 pot mac and cheese provides the macaroni cheese a clean, silky texture and provides to the wealthy, comforting style. I like to recommend utilizing unsalted butter to stop your macaroni cheese from tasting too salty.
Cheddar cheese – grated. For the perfect outcomes use block cheddar cheese and grate it your self. Prepared grated cheese comprises anti-caking components which imply it will not soften as properly in to the sauce.
Mozzarella cheese – grated. As with the cheddar cheese, it’s best to grate the mozzarella your self reasonably than purchase pre-grated mozzarella cheese.
Salt and pepper – to season.

Ingredients needed to make this recipe weighed out and placed in individual bowls.

Gear Required

All it’s worthwhile to make this straightforward mac and cheese is a massive inventory pot. That is it!

Step By Step Directions

This stovetop one pot mac and cheese is SO straightforward to make, and is able to get pleasure from in simply 20 minutes!

Observe: Scroll to the recipe card on the backside for the components portions and full detailed methodology.

Step 1 – Warmth The Liquid

Place the water and milk into the massive inventory pot and warmth, whereas stirring, over medium-high warmth till it involves the boil.

Cut back the warmth barely in order that the liquid is simply simmering.

Step 2 – Add The Pasta

Add the macaroni and cook dinner, stirring each 30 seconds, in response to the packet directions till al denté.

Macaroni pasta cooked in warm liquid in the pot.

Step 3 – Stir By The Cheese

Take away the pot from the warmth and examine the liquid quantity (see notes under), including a bit of extra liquid, or taking some out, if wanted.

Add the butter, grated cheddar, grated mozzarella and season with salt and pepper.

Grated cheeses and seasonings added to pasta in a pot.

Stir till the cheese has melted and coated the pasta.

Cooked mac and cheese being stirred with a wooden spoon in the pot.

Step 4 – Serve

Serve one pot mac and cheese instantly whereas the pasta is creamy and tacky.

Close up of the creamy macaroni cheese in the cooking pot.

Professional Suggestions

Liquid – whenever you take away the cooked pasta from the stovetop (earlier than including the cheese), there ought to be roughly ¼ – ½ cup of liquid remaining within the pot. If there’s much less, add as much as ½ cup of boiling water and stir. Alternatively, if in case you have an excessive amount of liquid, take away the surplus till you have got simply ½ cup remaining.
Pasta – use macaroni or elbow pasta (each of that are very small). Bigger pasta is not going to cook dinner within the period of time listed and would require extra liquid.
Stirring the pasta – stir the pasta each 30 seconds to stop it from sticking to the underside of the pan.
Greens – if you wish to add in some veggies, add a handful of frozen peas or sweetcorn kernels 5 minutes earlier than the top of cooking.
Serve instantly – the pasta continues to soak up the liquid because it sits, that means that it will not be as clean and creamy if not served instantly after making.
Serving concepts – while this mac and cheese is scrumptious by itself, for a tasty facet, strive serving it with walnut and pear salad, pumpkin and feta salad, or broccoli and bacon salad.
Storage & freezing – one pot mac and cheese is finest eaten instantly, nevertheless, it can save you your leftovers for as much as 3 days within the fridge in an hermetic container. This recipe isn’t appropriate for freezing.

Macaroni coated in cheese sauce in a serving bowl.

FAQs

What’s the finest pasta for one pot macaroni cheese?

Small pasta shapes like macaroni or elbow pasta are the perfect to make use of on this recipe as they take much less time to cook dinner, and do not require as a lot liquid as bigger pasta shapes would.

Why is not my home made mac and cheese creamy?

Be certain that to make use of full fats milk for the creamiest mac and cheese, in addition to butter which creates a silky texture and additional creamy style. Additionally, overcooking the mac and cheese can lead to it changing into a bit of dry, so serve it instantly as quickly because it’s prepared for probably the most scrumptious tacky pasta!

What cheeses can I take advantage of in stovetop mac and cheese?

I like to make use of cheddar cheese for flavour, with some grated mozzarella for further creaminess. Nevertheless you too can add a bit of grated parmesan or Gruyere if you happen to like a extra distinctive tacky flavour.

What spices can I add to my mac and cheese?

Garlic powder, onion powder or smoked paprika are basic spices so as to add to mac and cheese, or add a bit of dijon mustard or mustard powder to convey out the tacky flavour. For an added kick you may add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli flakes too.

Extra extra straightforward and scrumptious pasta recipes, take a look at these household favourites: