Description
Creamy, comforting one-pot mac and cheese delivers a nostalgic embrace of cheesy goodness straight from childhood memories. Melted cheddar and smooth sauce promise a quick, delightful dinner that you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese:
- 2 cups (200 g / 7.05 ounces) elbow macaroni (or pasta of your choice)
- 2 cups (200 g / 7.05 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (60 g / 2.12 ounces) shredded mozzarella (optional, for extra creaminess)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Liquids and Dairy:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters / 16.2 fluid ounces) milk
- 1 cup (240 milliliters / 8.1 fluid ounces) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters / 8.1 fluid ounces) water
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters / 2 fluid ounces) heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasonings and Toppings:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs for a bit of crunch
Instructions
- Combine macaroni with milk, broth, water, and seasonings in a large pot, creating a unified cooking environment for optimal flavor infusion.
- Activate heat to medium, stirring intermittently to prevent pasta from clumping and ensuring uniform liquid distribution.
- Allow mixture to reach a vigorous boil, transforming the liquid into a dynamic cooking medium.
- Reduce temperature, enabling gentle simmering that softens pasta while maintaining liquid absorption.
- Monitor pasta closely, stirring frequently to prevent scorching and promote even tenderness throughout the noodles.
- When pasta reaches perfect texture and liquid has mostly disappeared, transition pot from heat source.
- Incorporate butter, introducing rich creaminess to the foundation of the dish.
- Gradually fold in cheddar and parmesan cheeses, creating a luxurious, velvety sauce that envelops each pasta strand.
- Assess sauce consistency, potentially introducing additional milk or broth to achieve desired smoothness.
- Fine-tune seasoning with subtle salt and pepper adjustments to elevate overall flavor profile.
- Transfer to serving vessel, presenting a comforting, cheese-laden delicacy ready for immediate enjoyment.
- Optional: Embellish with fresh herb garnish or additional cheese sprinkle for visual and textural enhancement.
Notes
- Prevent pasta from sticking by stirring occasionally and maintaining medium heat during the initial boiling process.
- Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels, allowing more flexibility in seasoning the final dish.
- Choose full-fat milk and cheeses for a richer, creamier texture that coats the pasta perfectly.
- Customize the recipe by adding protein like crispy bacon, diced ham, or grilled chicken for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg