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Creamy and cheesy one pot mac and cheese made in 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

One Pot Mac & Cheese

A quick and easy weeknight meal that combines creamy cheese and comforting pasta, all in one pot.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 8 oz Macaroni (elbow or small shells) Classic elbow noodles are perfect.
  • 2 cups Whole milk Whole milk gives the creamiest results, but 2 percent is fine.
  • 1 cup Broth or water Mix of broth and water for flavor.
  • 2 tbsp Butter For richness.
  • 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese Shred your own for a smoother melt.
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese For extra stretch.
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese For a salty kick.
  • 1 tsp Salt To taste.
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper To taste.
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder To taste.
  • 1 pinch Mustard powder Optional for flavor.
  • 1 tbsp Cream cheese Optional for extra silkiness.
  • 1 dash Hot sauce Optional for added spice.

Method
 

Cooking
  1. Add dry macaroni, milk, broth (or water), butter, and a good pinch of salt to a medium pot.
  2. Bring it up to a gentle simmer, not a wild boil. Stir often, especially in the first 5 minutes so the pasta does not stick to the bottom.
  3. When the pasta is just tender and there is still a little liquid left, turn the heat down low.
  4. Add your cheese in handfuls, stirring until melted before adding more.
  5. Taste, then add pepper, garlic powder, and anything else you like.

Notes

Stirring is crucial for a creamy texture. Keep the heat gentle to avoid scorching the milk and pasta. If thick, add a splash of warm milk; if thin, let it simmer for a couple of minutes.