Microwave Mac and Cheese is a mess-free, quick and easy dish prepared in one bowl with staple ingredients. It is comfort food that can be enjoyed all year round!
We are just a few weeks away from Thanksgiving… and one of the most requested side dishes for my holiday table is Mac & Cheese. With a turkey to roast and many other course dishes to prepare, I decided to put my traditional recipe to a test. Yes, I made a One Bowl Microwave Mac and Cheese. And you know what? This thing is darn good and only takes about 15 minutes to prep and cook. It’s magic in the kitchen!
Forget about boxed mac and cheese! Prepare our quick and super delish Microwave Mac and Cheese — which by the way is a comfort food that can be enjoyed all year round. Yep, it makes a no-fuss, mess-free, quick weeknight meal with the power to please a crowd.
All we have to do is to combine macaroni pasta, water, and salt in a microwave safe bowl and cook for about 8 minutes in 2-minute intervals until the pasta is cooked. Then stir in unsalted butter, heavy cream or half-and-half, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and ground black pepper. Microwave again for about 1 minute or until cheese melts. Stir and enjoy right away!
You can garnish with a touch of red pepper flakes and fresh herbs such as basil or oregano… and serve either by itself or as an accompaniment for turkey or any other meat.
See? Easy peasy!
In fact, it is so simple to prepare that even a child can make it. Mixing and microwaving are the only “skills” required here.
As you can see, this is way easier and less messier than the stove-top and oven-baked versions made from scratch. But if you would like to explore either of these two baked versions– Mac and Cheese Carbonara or Brazilian Mac and Cheese — go for it, too!
Mac and cheese, also known as macaroni and cheese in America and Canada, macaroni cheese in the UK, and macaroni pie in Caribbean English, is traditionally made from macaroni pasta and cheese sauce (Mornay sauce) and baked in the oven. But our Microwave Mac and Cheese abbreviates the process, requiring no roux (a mixture of butter and flour) to prepare the dish, yet achieving the desired creaminess so characteristic of the classic version.
Got it?
So enjoy– not only for the holidays, but why not the whole year round?!
TO PIN AND ENJOY!
One Bowl Microwave Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups water
- 3/4 teaspoon salt (or a bit more if desired)
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream or half-and-half
- 1/3 cup cream cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (if using half-and-half add 1/2 additional cup of cheese)
- Pinch of ground black pepper
Instructions
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In a large microwave safe bowl, combine the pasta, water, and salt together. Microwave on high power for about 8 minutes in 2-minute intervals until the pasta is al dente or cooked. Stir mixture between intervals. Note: Cooking time can vary according to the potency of your microwave. If water is absorbed before pasta is cooked, add a bit more water.
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Once pasta is cooked, stir in the butter, heavy cream, cream cheese, cheddar, and pepper. Return bowl to the microwave and let cook for about 1 additional minute or until cheese melts. Stir and enjoy immediately! If desired, you can garnish the top with red pepper flakes and fresh herbs such as basil or oregano.
One bowl mac and cheese! Count me in! Usually Thanksgiving sides take so much kitchen time. A fantastic recipe.
LOVE mac ‘n cheese! I often bake mine, but this is so much easier! And the flavor looks terrific. Thanks!
Yes, this looks fabulous and my daughter loves mac and cheese. Believe it or not, I do not! And I never knew people served mac and cheese at a Thanksgiving dinner until I helped host one as a volunteer for a great organization. Denise where have I been? LOL!