Attention, Mac and Cheese enthusiasts! This ultra-creamy one-pot wonder is here to stay. Thanks to Chrissy Teigen, we’ve got an easy one-pot mac and cheese recipe that’s a game-changer. If you’re a fan of our One Pot Mac and Cheese, you absolutely must give Chrissy’s version a go and share your thoughts with us! Trust us – it’s a creamy showdown worth indulging in.
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Why spend your time washing a bunch of different dishes when you can just use one pot? Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Everyone knows we can’t resist a good one pot pasta. That’s why had to make Chrissy’s One Pot Mac & Cheese recipe. If you consider yourself a macaroni and cheese aficionado, we strongly urge you to dive into this one — it reminds us of a cafe-style mac and cheese. And kids will love this recipe too!
This recipe calls for freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese. A pro tip for the ultimate mac and cheese experience: Shred your own cheese! It makes a significant difference in the texture and elevates the entire macaroni and cheese game. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents which will result in a gummy texture – no one wants that!
When it comes to American cheese, are you a fan? Well, it’s what helps this sauce stabilize so the sauce does not break. We know that not everyone wants to use American cheese, so if you just can’t bring yourself to do it, buy cheddar cheese. We won’t judge either way, and they’ll both work (yes, we’ve tried it both ways!)
Common Questions about One Pot Mac and Cheese
Usually grainy sauce happens when your cheese is added too quickly or the heat’s too high! The secret is to remove the pot from heat, add cheese gradually while stirring, and let residual heat do its magic.
It’s genius because the starch from the pasta helps create an ultra-creamy sauce, plus there’s only one pot to wash! The pasta actually cooks in the milk mixture, absorbing all of the delicious flavors as it goes.
Add a splash of milk or cream while reheating, and stir frequently! Low and slow is the way to go — microwave in short bursts or warm gently on the stovetop.
Medium shells, elbow macaroni, or cavatappi are perfect because their shape catches all that creamy sauce! Plus, these shapes cook evenly and help create the right sauce-to-pasta ratio.
Chrissy Teigen’s One Pot Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 6 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 pound medium pasta shells uncooked
- 2 1/2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 6 slices American or cheddar cheese slices
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper more or less to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot on medium high heat, add 6 cups milk and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Add the uncooked pasta shells, return to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 9-10 minutes.6 1/2 cups whole milk, 1 Tablespoon kosher salt, 1 pound medium pasta shells
- Reduce the heat to low and add cheeses, butter, mustard, cayenne, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and really melts into the sauce, let stand for a few minutes to thicken. Add remaining 1/2 cup milk as needed.2 1/2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, 6 slices American or cheddar cheese slices, 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Video
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Notes
Why Cook the Mac and Cheese in Milk
Cooking the pasta in milk gives this sauce an extra creamy and luscious texture. You can use water but it just wont be as rich and creamy.
Why does the Mac and Cheese Look Runny?
We get this question so often when people watch our videos. Guess what? We ALWAYS like our pasta to look a little runny, the reason being is that as the pasta sits, the starch will help the thicken the pasta. If the pasta is dry from the start, then you will end up having to put a lot of milk (or liquid) after it sits. Either way, we like to have extra liquid on hand, such as milk, broth, or water to give it a little extra love, if it needs it.
How To Store/Reheat a One Pot Pasta?
Once the pasta has cooled to room temperature, store in an air-tight container and refrigerate.
How to reheat in the microwave – Our favorite trick is to pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds, just enough for the pasta to slightly loosen up. Add a couple splashes of milk, or broth or water, and stir. Microwave until it is fully heated through. You may need to add another splash or two of milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
How to reheat on the stovetop – In a pot on medium heat and pasta and a couple splashes of milk or broth or water. Give it a stir, add more liquid if it needs it.
The goal when reheating the pasta is to bring it back to life. We ALWAYS have leftovers because meal-prepping is an awesome thing. You will discover that leftovers don’t have to go to waste if you reheat properly!
Recipe Courtesy of Chrissy Teigen.
If you love the wooden bowl we use to serve the pasta, you can find it here.
I love the concept of a one pot mac & cheese. This recipe was good but I thought it was missing something. I added smoked paprika and fresh ground black pepper but still needed something else. I’ll try it again and probably add seasonings along with the pasta.
So sorry to hear, you can definitely up the seasonings to your liking!
So creamy and cheesy, and I loved how easy it was to make! Brought it to a party and it was a big hit