One Pot Mac and Cheese
Beloved by kids and adults alike, this delicious stovetop mac and cheese is the ultimate easy lunch, dinner, or side.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry pasta any shape
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chicken base Better Than Bouillon see note
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8-10 cranks freshly-ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup milk any kind
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese about 8 ounces
- 1 cup shredded parmesan about 4 ounces
Instructions
- Combine the pasta, water, butter, Better Than Bouillon, garlic powder, mustard, salt, and pepper in a large pot over high heat. Stir frequently while bringing the mixture to a rolling boil.
- After the water boils, reduce heat to medium and let everything simmer, continuing to stir frequently. Check the pasta every 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat when the pasta is tender.
- Stir in the milk, followed by half of the cheese. Stir well until the cheese is melted and smooth, then add the remaining cheese and stir again. Serve immediately, with a bit more pepper or a sprinkle of parsley, if desired. Enjoy!
Video
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Notes
- You can omit the Better Than Bouillon, though if you don’t keep it on hand, I highly recommend it—a jar lasts forever, and it’s one of those secret ingredients you’ll reach for again and again! If you leave it out of this recipe, you can sub 2 cups of chicken broth or stock in place of 2 cups of the water to add similar flavor. You should still have 4 cups total liquid in the pot while cooking the pasta.
- For a vegetarian dish, swap the chicken Better Than Bouillon for the vegetable, seasoned vegetable, or “no chicken” vegetarian base product. Or simply use 2 cups veggie stock and 2 cups water, per the note above.
- I usually opt for whole milk if I have it in the fridge; otherwise our go-to is 2%.
- For quality results, buy blocks of cheese and shred them yourself! I know it’s so tempting, but pre-shredded cheese will NOT melt as well and may cause your sauce to be clumpy. Invest in a box shredder with a detachable base like this one - it makes grating and measuring super quick and easy.
Nutrition Estimate
Calories: 539 kcal, Carbohydrates: 58 g, Protein: 26 g, Fat: 22 g, Saturated Fat: 13 g, Cholesterol: 62 mg, Sodium: 616 mg, Potassium: 234 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 3 g, Vitamin A: 641 IU, Calcium: 501 mg, Iron: 1 mg