Description
Creamy one-pot mac and cheese blends rich cheddar with smooth pasta for a comforting meal. Cheese lovers will savor this simple, hearty dish that brings warmth to any dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (200 g) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 2 cups (200 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsps butter
- ½ cup (60 g) mozzarella, shredded (optional, for extra creaminess)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp mustard powder (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs (for a bit of crunch)
Instructions
- Pasta Fusion: Combine uncooked pasta, milk, broth, water, and dry seasonings in a large pot, ensuring even distribution of ingredients for a harmonious base.
- Heat Orchestration: Place pot over medium heat, gently stirring to prevent pasta adhesion and allow liquid to reach a gentle bubble, initiating the cooking symphony.
- Simmer Transformation: Lower temperature to create a delicate simmer, allowing pasta to absorb liquid gradually while stirring occasionally to ensure uniform cooking and prevent burning.
- Texture Perfection: Evaluate pasta’s tenderness around 8-10 minutes, confirming al dente consistency and monitoring liquid reduction for optimal results.
- Cheese Melding: Introduce shredded cheddar and mozzarella, stirring continuously to create a silky, glossy coating that embraces each pasta morsel, transforming the dish into a creamy masterpiece.
- Enrichment Stage: Incorporate butter and optional heavy cream, allowing them to meld seamlessly and elevate the sauce’s richness and velvety texture.
- Consistency Calibration: Adjust sauce thickness by incrementally adding milk or broth, achieving a luxurious consistency that delicately coats the pasta.
- Presentation Finale: Transfer mac and cheese to serving dishes, optionally adorning with fresh parsley, Parmesan, or crunchy topping to introduce textural complexity, and pair with a crisp salad or steamed vegetables for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir frequently during initial cooking to stop pasta from clumping or burning at the bottom of the pot.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pot from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce without graininess.
- Liquid Absorption Trick: Watch pasta carefully during simmering; different pasta shapes may require slight adjustments in liquid quantities and cooking time.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk for lactose-free version, and use gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly option.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg