Replace Half Of The Butter With American Cheese
My third trick is to replace half of the butter with two or three slices of American cheese. The difference is incredible!
The instructions say to use four tablespoons of butter . Were only going to use two, plus some American cheese.
I get my American cheese sliced really thick, so two of my slices would be equal to about three slices of packaged stuff. But hey, go ahead and throw in a fourth if you want. It will just be even creamier and cheesier!
Can you use all of the butter the instructions call for, plus the American cheese? Sure, but I actually like it better this way. It gets a little too greasy with all that butter added to the extra cheese.
Can You Make Mac And Cheese With Water
You could use water instead of milk in macaroni and cheese, but the result would likely be runnier and lack the full flavor macaroni and cheese is supposed to have. You can also go the other way, to increase the flavor omit the milk and double the amount of butter, using real butter instead of margarine.
Microwave Macaroni And Cheese In A Mug
This macaroni and cheese in a mug is ready in less than 5 minutes. It makes a quick, easy meal for one.
While Fall may be just around the corner, weve been experiencing the hottest weather of the summer so far in San Diego. As a result, there hasnt been much cooking or baking happening in the kitchen.
I was making some quick and easy macaroni and cheese in the microwave for another recipe when I decided it was time to update my macaroni and cheese in a mug post. It also gave me an excuse to make a few extra servings .
This is perfect for when you want to make a single serving rather than an entire pot of macaroni and cheese. It comes together so quickly and I didnt break a sweat making it.
Recipe now updated with video! You can also find all my recipe videos on my youtube page.
Read Also: How Long Does Tillamook Cheese Last
Microwave Macaroni And Cheese
While mac and cheese in a mug is the new viral recipe, we have been making it for a long time. It is my go to for when the kids want mac and cheese but I dont feel like doing the work of making Baked Mac and Cheese.
This Microwave Macaroni and Cheese is made with real ingredients, a coffee mug and a few minutes in the microwave. No Velveeta or fake cheese here, we like real ingredients and real cheese! LOTS of cheese!
The best part is that this Microwave Macaroni and Cheese is super cheesy just like you want in a homemade mac and cheese but made right in the microwave!
Originally we posted this homemade Easy Mac recipe back in 2013, we have since updated the photos to be as beautiful as this Microwave Macaroni and Cheese is tasty! This mac and cheese in a mug is so easy to make and perfect for when you are wanting a quick tasty mac and cheese at lunch time or for a snack!
Do You Boil Water Before Adding Macaroni
You need the intense heat of boiling water to set the outside of the pasta, which prevents the pasta from sticking together. That is why the fast boil is so important the water temperature drops when you add the pasta, but if you have a fast boil, the water will still be hot enough for the pasta to cook properly.
Don’t Miss: Where Do I Buy Cheese Curds
How To Make Mac N Cheese In The Microwave
This is so easy, it hardly needs steps. You ready? Lets make mac n cheese.
STEP ONE: Add your choice of pasta, water, and salt to a large microwave safe mug. Stir and then microwave for 4 to 4½ minutes.
STEP TWO: Carefully remove the mug from the microwave and stir in the cheeses and milk. Microwave for an additional 30 seconds or until pasta is tender and the cheese is fully melted.
Thats it! You have mac & cheese!
Quick Mac And Cheese For One
03/21/21
A quick recipe for mac and cheese for one. Easy, cheesy, and oh so good.
Is it lunchtime? Is it dinner time? Are you starving? Do you need a mac and cheese fix? Yes? Well, Ive got just the thing for you: mac and cheese for one.
This homemade macaroni and cheese is just as quick as the kind that comes out of a box, is one thousand times more delicious, and wont leave you with a mass of gross congealed leftovers.
I grew up in a boxed mac and cheese household, and just like when I learned how to make homemade mashed potatoes, when I discovered how easy homemade macaroni and cheese was to make, I had no idea why we hadnt just been making it from scratch all along.
It takes exactly the same amount of time, and if you keep a basic stocked kitchen, cheese and any sort of pasta in your house, YOU HAVE THE INGREDIENTS TO MAKE THIS.
Read Also: Is Cheese High In Purines
How To Make Single
In under 20 minutes, youll have rich cheesy mac and cheese for one, portion-controlled and so good you could cry. And if you are feeling extra hungry or want to make it for two or more, the recipe sizes up with just a slightly longer cooking time .
Variations Of Muffin Cups:
The best part about these mac and cheese cups is how versatile they are. Try this Ranch Bacon Mac and Cheese Cups for another favorite variation. These cheese cups are easy to adapt which creates unique treats that are custom to your family!
- Mix ins: Add healthy veggies like broccoli or even some proteins like chicken, crumbled bacon, or ham to make these a tiny version of a complete meal.
- Mini Muffins: Use a mini muffin pan to make bite size gems that are both savory and impressive. Serve them as an appetizer or snack.
- Easy removal: Use cupcake liners for an even easier removal option. For best results, let them cool for about 10 minutes before removing them from the muffin tin.
Read Also: Are Kraft Singles Real Cheese
Best Cheese For Mac And Cheese
I am super picky on my mac and cheese. It must be cheesy. It must be creamy. It must be super flavorful. This Microwave Macaroni and Cheese covers all the things I love about mac and cheese, but made in a coffee mug in the microwave and SUPER Cheesy!
Speaking of cheese I prefer to use cheddar however you can use your favorite cheese including Monteray jack, provolone and parmesan!
If you are wanting your mug mac n cheese to be richer add some butter into the mac and cheese after cooking in the microwave.
What I Used For This Recipe
This post contains affiliate links.
- Mini Muffin and Cupcake Tin: This tin is probably one of my favorite kitchen accessories. I use it for all types of savory and sweet muffins and mini treats!
- Boxed Grater: This heavy-duty boxed grater has not given out on me yet! I use it all of the time and it is so durable. You can grate cheese several ways with this grater.
- Medium Saucepan: Use a good medium saucepan that is nonstick and evenly heats. I dont know what I would do without my favorite saucepans!
- Mixing Utensil: A good wooden or stainless steel spoon is my go-to for any type of cooking in my kitchen. I have a few really good spoons and spatulas that I just love.
- Colander: I used my favorite colander to drain the pasta once it finished cooking!
Recommended Reading: Is Philadelphia Cream Cheese Keto
Make The Sauce Separately
My fourth trick is to never, ever try to make the sauce while the elbow macaroni is in the pot. The macaroni gets totally beaten up during this process, and its almost impossible to get rid of every little bit of powder, leaving the mac and cheese gritty.
Instead, set the drained macaroni aside in a bowl , adding a tablespoon of the butter and giving it a gentle stir, so that the pasta doesnt stick together as it sits.
Then, over low heat, stir the remaining tablespoon of butter with the quarter cup of milk, the packet of cheese powder, and the two or three slices of American cheese.
Now, if you absolutely dont want to use another dish and just want to serve the mac and cheese in the pot, I get you. At the end of the day, one more bowl for each thing you cooked adds up. In that case, just let the pasta sit in the strainer or colander you used to drain it, and dont add the tablespoon of butter to it .
You just have to be extra careful when its time to add the pasta to the sauce, because it will tend to fall out of the strainer in one big clump, and that could make a big mess . And youll have to do a bit of extra stirring to get the pasta separated again.
Thats it! Easy tips to upgrade your boxed mac and cheese from good to delicious!
Can I Cook Two Mugs Of Mac And Cheese At The Same Time
No, Id recommend just cooking one at a time. Usually when you try to microwave two things at once one will cook more than the other.
Who thought delicious, fun recipes would be spreading over TikTok like wildfire? Check out more viral TikTok recipes like this Instant Mac and Cheese that you may have missed that are worth trying!
- Smoked Queso Dip Smoky, spicy flavor floods this appetizer thats cooked in the smoker in just 1 hour!
- Korean Corndogs with Korean Ketchup Hot dogs hand-dipped in a batter and then rolled in chopped-up french fries or ramen noodles for a fun food truck snack!
- Corona Sunrise Made right in the bottle with beer, tequila, orange juice, grenadine, and lime juice for a citrusy, sweet tasting drink perfect for summer!
- Natures Cereal Recipe A healthy trend that fills your cereal bowl full of fruit, ice cubes, and coconut water for a refreshing start to your day!
- Cookie Butter Latte This simple sweet and creamy latte comes together quickly right at home for a fraction of the cost!
Also Check: Are Dogs Allergic To Cheese
How To Make Mac And Cheese In The Microwave
Rachel GurkPosted:
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Homemade Easy Mac! Learning how to make Mac and Cheese in the microwave makes it easy to make your favorite treat at home. And youll know whats in it.
OXO sent my free products to try for this post. I was not compensated to use them, or for my opinions.
Its a little embarrassing how much Easy Mac I ate when I was in college. And when I say a little embarrassing, I mean a LOT embarrassing.
I had this big gigantic blue mug and that was my Easy Mac mug. Mac and cheese was a frequent late-night study snack in the dorm and we all know late night snacks arent good for your waistline. Hellllllo, freshman 15!
To commemorate my college days, I knew I had to make a DIY version of one of my favorite snacks in college.
All you need is pasta, water, a microwave safe bowl, milk, and sharp cheddar for this microwave macaroni and cheese recipe. You cant take a shortcut and buy pre-grated cheese for this recipe. Youll end up with one big blob of cheese that doesnt coat the pasta at all.
Take it from me. I know.
Yes it doesnt look exactly like the blue box version. This is a good thing, my friends. High quality sharp white cheddar makes this a very tasty replacement to my blue box love .
I used this awesome Grate and Slice Set from OXO to prep this recipe. This slicer/grater makes grating cheese so easy. Plus it grates right into a container for easy measuring. No more messy grating.
How To Make It
Also Check: Where To Get Government Cheese
More Cheesy Pasta Recipes To Try
Interested in trying a few more unique, cheesy pasta recipes?
ThisChili-Roasted Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese recipe is definitely a bit different, but the flavor is amazing. Its the perfect blend of chili and cheese as well as sweet and savory.
You might also enjoy this Keto Mac and Cheese with Zoodlesfor a low carb version, or this recipe for Pasta with Creamy Goat Cheese Tomato Sauce that has a tangy little bite to it.
Love this Baked Mac and Cheese Cups recipe? Follow me on , , and for more!
- 2cupsshredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4cupbreadcrumbs
What To Lookout For
There are a few things that you will need to keep an eye out for when cooking anything in the microwave.
The milk can become superheated in the microwave and explode when you disturb it. I recommend cooking in small intervals to help prevent that from happening.
Its best to place a plate underneath the mug, so if any liquid overflows, it will not dirty your microwave. It makes cleaning so much easier.
The mug might become very hot, so be careful when removing it from the microwave. I recommend using a dry towel or oven mitt to remove it.
I go through a few more tips just below the recipe, so be sure to check them out.
The video below will take you through all the steps on making some easy homemade mac and cheese in a mug. Alternatively, you can find the full written recipe immediately beneath the video.
Don’t Miss: Does Babybel Cheese Need To Be Refrigerated
Instant Microwave Mac & Cheese Is The Answer To Mid Day Cravings
I tend to get crazy hunger spikes in the middle of the day, and for some reason I have a block against buying anything remotely appropriate for lunch when Im at the supermarket. Im always stuck roaming around the kitchen hunting for something, anything, to deal with my intense mid-day munchies, so imagine my excitement at finding an instant rich and creamy macaroni and cheese for one in a mug made right in the microwave!
Microwave Mac And Cheese
Add pasta and water into a microwave safe mug.
Microwave pasta on high for 3-4 minutes.
The water will boil over, and you may need to add more water once the cooking is complete, and heat again until pasta is al dente or to your liking.
Stir in milk and shredded cheese and microwave for an additional 30 seconds.
Mix macaroni and cheese well and season with salt before enjoying.
Makes 1 serving in a cup or mug.
You May Like: Is Broccoli And Cheese Keto
Tiktok Recipes & Food Trends
Tiktok has been a fun source for us to recreate this year as we are big TikTok influencers ourselves . Trying out creations and sharing with readers the full how to recipes is a joy! Please see some of our other tiktok recipes and food trends to see how you can have some fun in your own kitchen.
Cloud Bread Cloud bread was one of those super fun ideas this year that really tasted awful but is still super fun to make. Check out how to make cloud bread and also how to dial up the fun by making rainbow cloud bread here.
Hot Chocolate Bombs Over a year ago we posted how to make hot chocolate bombs when we saw them at Target who knew that it was gonna go crazy this year . Since then we have also shared a white chocolate cocoa bomb recipe and a melting snowman bomb recipe!
Mini Pancakes It was the year of itty bitty itty bitty mini pancakes, itty bitty cookieseveryone loves miniature!
Big Mac Pizza This one is a new recipe and its SO good! Take McDonalds home and fuse it into a pizza total yes.
