Rich and creamy, this One Pot Mac and Cheese is crafted with a medley of cheeses, whole milk, and elbow pasta. It’s a homemade mac and cheese masterpiece that outshines anything you’d whip up from a box. Whether enjoyed solo or as the perfect sidekick to your favorite meals, it’s an easy and delicious dish that’s hard to resist!
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Mac and Cheese, Please
There’s nothing more nostalgic and comforting than a big warm bowl of homemade mac and cheese! One bite, and we’re transported back to our childhood. Growing up we made the stuff out of the box. However, now that we’re older, we knew we could do better. So, we captured all the nostalgia of the mac and cheese from our childhood but also cranked up the flavor with wholesome ingredients and a generous dash of love! This One Pot Mac and Cheese:
- Requires minimal dishes for an easy cleanup
- Has the absolute creamiest texture and richest taste
- Cooks in less than 15 minutes
- And is easy to customize with all your favorite add-ins
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t find any powdered cheese here! We’re using nothing but the real stuff for out-of-this-world flavor. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Pasta – We use elbow pasta, but we also love Cavatappi, too. Whatever noodles you like the best work just fine!
- Broth – Either chicken or vegetable broth is used to cook the noodles and infuses them with an incredibly rich taste.
- Spices – To enhance the natural flavors of the cheese, we include mustard powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cheese – We include a combination of Cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheeses for just a hint of spice. However, any cheese you like best would taste great!
- Butter – This makes any recipe even more delicious. However, butter also helps thicken the cheese sauce, helping it stick to the noodles. Because we include spices separately, you want to make sure your butter is unsalted.
- Heavy Cream & Whole Milk – Our secret to creating the creamiest, most indulgent mac and cheese you’ll ever taste, a combination of heavy cream and whole milk is poured into the pot to take the cheese sauce to the next level.
How to Make One Pot Mac and Cheese
Some mac and cheese recipes require multiple dishes to make the noodles and the cheese, creating lots of dishes in the process. So, we simplified things and created this One Pot Mac and Cheese!
- Place the pasta, broth, and seasonings in a large pot.
- Bring the broth to a boil, and cover.
- Reduce the heat to low, and simmer the ingredients for 10-12 minutes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, and stir until the sauce is combined and creamy.
* For a slightly crispy top, place the pot under your broiler for a few minutes!
Optional Add-Ins
There’s nothing wrong with serving this simple One Pot Mac and Cheese as it is. But, if you’re in the mood to elevate it into a more elaborate feast, the possibilities are practically limitless. To kickstart your culinary creativity, here are some of our favorite additions:
- Ground Beef
- Shredded Chicken
- Bacon
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Mushrooms
Make-Ahead Options
This recipe makes for the best leftovers that are so easy to reheat or even freeze. So, feel free to double the batch for an easy meal you can eat all week!
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
Freezer: Place your mac and cheese in a sealable bag or airtight container for up to 6 months!
How to Reheat
First, be sure to thaw your frozen mac and cheese in the fridge overnight. Or, leave it on the counter for a couple of hours. However, we don’t recommend thawing it in the microwave as your noodles will dry out. Then, warm your leftovers in the microwave, on the stovetop, or even in the oven!
Serving Suggestions
We’ve been guilty of savoring a generous bowl of this One Pot Mac and Cheese as a standalone feast. But, it’s not just a solo act – this creamy delight also plays exceptionally well with all your go-to main courses as the ultimate sidekick! Here are a few of our top-notch pairings:
- Oven-Baked Chipotle Chicken Skewers
- Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak
Common Questions about One Pot Mac and Cheese
While short pasta like elbow macaroni works best, you can experiment with other shapes like shells or rotini. Just ensure the pasta cooks fully to al dente in the pot.
Adding a dollop of Greek yogurt, mascarpone, or cream cheese can make your mac and cheese extra creamy and indulgent.
A sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce can add a kick. You could also use a spicy cheese like pepper Jack.
Use a non-stick pot or coat the bottom with a little butter or oil before adding the ingredients.
More Easy One Pot Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re on the hunt for more one-pot wonders, we’ve got a lineup of favorites that are downright irresistible:
- This One Pot Parmesan Pasta is the easiest and quickest way to get dinner on the table!
- A better-for-you Hamburger Helper, this One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta is a family-favorite recipe everyone will love.
- One Pot Lasagna has all the traditional flavors you love in the convenience of a one pot recipe.
- One bite is all it takes to fall in love with this One Pot
Spaghetti Carbonara!
Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 ounces uncooked elbow pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth or broth of choice
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt more or less to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper more or less to taste
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 1 cup monterey jack cheese grates
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Instructions
- In a large pot, add pasta, broth, and seasonings. Stir. Bring to a boil, and cover. Reduce heat to medium low, and cook for 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender.16 ounces uncooked elbow pasta, 4 cups chicken broth or broth of choice, 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Add remaning ingredients, and stir until nice and creamy. Add a splash of milk for a creamier consistency. Option: Feel free to broil in the oven for a few minutes to crisp the top!1/2 cup cheddar cheese, 1 cup monterey jack cheese, 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup whole milk
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We have been on the hunt for a Mac N Cheese my pre teen daughter can make on her own for out thanksgiving family meals. This one did the trick for us. It was a little dry but this could of been because we made it ahead. This time we plan to add a little more liquids.
We hope you enjoyed it, Vickie! Making it ahead of time will definitely cause it to become a bit more dry.
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Finally found a mac and cheese recipe that tastes like my childhood mac and cheese! Thank you so much!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Ellie!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I tried this twice and it keeps coming out watery not sure what doing wrong
It could be too much liquid! Try reducing the broth, simmering longer, or stirring in a bit of cornstarch. We hope this helps!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Think this would work if I multiplied the ingredients by 1.5 (for 9)? Don’t quite need it doubled!
Yes, you can. Just make sure you use a big enough pot. Let us know how it turns out!
so incredibly easy and tasty. I’m done with boxed!!!!
Yay!
Just made this and it’s DELICIOUS! It was so quick and easy to make. I will definitely be making this again. And again.
Amazing! We’re so glad to hear! xo, Alia & Radwa
My whole family raved over this recipe. Turned out so good
This recipe is to die for!! Our entire family LOVED it, including our extremely picky 7 year old!!
A++ from this mom!