Microwave Mac and Cheese
Microwave mac and cheese is so quick and easy to make, with just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of cook time! It’s deliciously cheesy, creamy and tender!
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients
- ½ cup dry macaroni pasta
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (see notes)
- ¼ cup milk of choice (see notes)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the pasta and water in a large microwave safe bowl. You need a large bowl (not a mug or small serving bowl) to cook this in prevent your water from foaming and spilling over in the microwave.
- Microwave for 4-5 minutes, until the pasta is just al dente. You can start with 4 minutes and add an additional minute if needed.
- Drain any excess water from the bowl. Add the milk, cheese and salt to the pasta, as well as the butter and cream cheese, if using. Stir to combine.
- Microwave for another 1 ½ minutes, until the pasta is tender and everything is melted and well combined.
- Stir, taste and adjust seasonings, and serve hot.
Notes
Pasta: The recipe calls for a classic small elbow shaped pasta, which works best because it cooks the most quickly.
Cheese: I used a sharp white cheddar cheese for the cheese in this recipe. You can use regular cheddar or a combination of cheeses (such as cheddar and Monterey Jack, Gruyere or American cheeses.)
Milk: I use 2% or skim milk for this recipe since that’s what we always have on hand, but it would work great with whole milk as well.
Dairy-free/vegan: I’ve also made this with soy milk before (because my daughter used to have a cow’s milk allergy) and that worked fine too. You can substitute a dairy-free butter and cheese and have this be a dairy-free or vegan version.
Topping ideas:
- Extra cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, etc.)
- Cooked, crumbled bacon
- Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- Chopped chives or green onions
- Hot sauce or sriracha for some heat
- Pickled jalapeños
- Pico de gallo
- Sliced grilled chicken
- Crumbled ground beef or turkey
- Sliced avocado or a dollop of guac
- Steamed broccoli, halved cherry tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms make a great vegetable addition.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 718mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g
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