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4th September 2017

Easy One Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese

The absolute ultimate comfort food, and it can't get any better than this Easy One Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese. I have tried many mac and cheese recipes, some end up dry and bland no matter how much of seasoning  I use and others too mushy. So this is my favourite, ticking all the boxes for perfect mac and cheese ......

Easy One Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese

  • Never dry
  • It is full of flavour and never bland
  • Never ever mushy and
  • The sauce is perfectly smooth, glossy and creamy, although there is not a drop of cream added to this recipe

The reason, this mac and cheese is so good is that the macaroni is boiled in a mixture of milk and water, not just water, and it is not drained after cooking. As it boils, it releases the starch into the milk and water. So the starch helps to thicken the sauce creating the perfect creamy bechamel sauce which perfectly coats the macaroni.

This recipe is really quick to prepare, so this is a great one for when you get home late from work or just not in the mood of cooking a meal which takes an hour to prepare and an hour of cooking time. I mean this Easy One Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese is just that Easy, Quick, taking under half an hour to prepare and cook, and makes a delicious hearty lunch or dinner.

Easy One Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese

Making the Easy One Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese

The pasta is cooked in the sauce for about 10 minutes. Remember that you have to stir it every few minutes to ensure that the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pot. When the pasta is almost done, tender but still firm, remove it from the heat and stir in your grated cheese. At this stage, the sauce containing the pasta should not be too thick.

The pasta will continue cooking and the sauce will continue thickening when it is removed off the stove.  Try to serve immediately after cooking. However, I have found that even after an hour after cooking, it is still really delicious, the sauce may have almost completely absorbed into the macaroni but it still has this smooth silky texture and taste to it.

So try out this recipe next time you are in the mac and cheese mood, the perfect easy weekday dinner!

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out my other amazing pasta recipes

Still hungry for more?

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Enjoy ♥

Easy One Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese

Easy One Pot Creamy Mac and Cheese

Ashika | Gardening Foodie
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Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 4
Course DINNER, LUNCH

Ingredients
  

  • 3 Tablespoons / 24g all purpose / cake flour
  • 3 Tablespoons / 42g butter
  • 2 cups / 500ml milk
  • 2½ cups / 625ml water
  • 2 cups / 125g uncooked macaroni
  • 2 cups / 225g grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Start by melting butter in a large pot over medium heat.
  • Add flour. If you are using onion and mustard powder, then add it now and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add milk and mix into butter and flour mixture and stir until it starts to thicken slightly.
  • Pour in the water and add salt and pepper.
  • Stir in the macaroni and mix. Stir as it starts to bubble and turn down the heat to low. Cook for 10 minutes until tender but firm. Remember that the macaroni continues cooking and the sauce thickens even after it has been removed from the stove.
  • Remove from the stove and mix in the grated cheese.
  • Garnish with chopped chives or parsley if you like.
  • Serve immediately.
*Nutrition Disclaimer
Tried this recipe? Let me know how it was in the comments below

 

 

 

More Pasta

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  • Sweet Chilli Macaroni with Smoked Mozzarella
  • Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Lasagne
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Rebecca | Becky Keeps House
5 years ago

Ready in half an hour? Okay, you sold it to me. As a mother of two crazy kids, I totally appreciate the simple and quick. Going to try this soon!

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The Gardening Foodie
5 years ago
Reply to  Rebecca | Becky Keeps House

Oh definitely....This was my favourite recipe when my sons were little as well.It is still our favourite quick recipe. Let me know how it turns out.?

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Rebecca | Becky Keeps House
4 years ago
Reply to  The Gardening Foodie

Apologies, I made this a few weeks ago but forgot to update you in the comments. Your recipe was so creamy and so, so good! I was liberal with the black pepper because we are spice lovers and I ended up tripling the recipe because my family loves pasta but even then we had barely any leftovers!
This one is definitely a keeper!

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The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  Rebecca | Becky Keeps House

OH I am so glad that you tried it out and loved it too. Thank you so much for letting me know, I really appreciate it.
Haha...I know, we never have leftovers either, no matter how much I make of this mac and cheese...it tastes so good ?

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Alicia
5 years ago

Perfectly creamy!!. It could be called 1-2-3 pasta because the recipe qtys are as easy as the method! Supper tonight wss a breeze? Thank you

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Author
The Gardening Foodie
5 years ago
Reply to  Alicia

Oh, I am so glad you tried it, I think that this is the simplest and most creamiest pasta dishes I have ever made. I am really happy that you liked it as well.?

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Emma - Bake Then Eat
4 years ago

I adore mac and cheese, if given a choice it will be my last meal! I have never tried to make it this way, I shall definetly try it out as I love one Pot dishes 😀

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The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  Emma - Bake Then Eat

Thanks Emma. You know, I have tried so many mac and cheese recipes, and this one wins on all levels. I really hope that you try it out, it really is delicious:)

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stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage
4 years ago

I need a bowl of this tonight! I love this sauce, I can see how the milk would make a all the difference. And I would definitely like a little mustard powder!! Yum! Take care.

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Author
The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage

Thank you Stacey...This really is one of my favourite pasta recipes. Cooking it in the milk really adds to the creaminess and eliminates the dryness.
Have a great week!

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Katherine | Love In My Oven
4 years ago

Mmm I'm such a sucker for mac n' cheese. I LOVE that this is all one pot!! It looks so creamy and delicious. I must try it soon!

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Author
The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  Katherine | Love In My Oven

Thank you Katherine, this really is my lazy day recipe. One pot also means less washing up, perfect for my lazy day.
I am glad that you like the recipe!

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heather (delicious not gorgeous)
4 years ago

ahhh love how creamy this looks! leftover mac and cheese always gets dry to my tastebuds, but this looks like it'd stay nice and saucy (:

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The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  heather (delicious not gorgeous)

Thanks Heather. It does stay saucy, but it really is best to serve and eat immediately....it is actually difficult to resist eating this mac and cheese straight after preparing
though:)

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Patrick@looneyforfood.com
4 years ago

It dosnt get much better than Mac and cheese!

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Author
The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  Patrick@looneyforfood.com

You so right Patrick...this is the perfect comfort food:)

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Maria @ kitchenathoskins
4 years ago

Creamy deliciousness...is all I can think off. All I need is a fork and that bowl, YUM!!!

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Author
The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  Maria @ kitchenathoskins

OH, this is creamy perfection all the way...and very difficult to refuse a second or third helping:)

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Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
4 years ago

Mmmmm who doesn't love mac n cheese?! And homemade is always the best! This looks amazing and I love its one pot! Xoxo 🙂

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Author
The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats

Thank you Kelly, One pot is always best...less washing up 🙂

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Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
4 years ago

I make mac and cheese almost on a regular basis. Yours looks so good!!

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Author
The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness

Thank you Cathleen,this is my favourite recipe for mac and cheese:)

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Thao @ In Good Flavor
4 years ago

What a great recipe—simple and perfect! I'm dying to try this mac and cheese right now. It looks incredibly creamy and delicious!

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Author
The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  Thao @ In Good Flavor

Thank you for your kind words Thao. I hope you try it, it tastes awesome. Let me know how it turns out!

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Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess
4 years ago

I can't wait to try this!! I've been searching for something flavorful and creamy! Mac and cheese YES!

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Author
The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess

Oh, I hope you do try out this recipe, it is one of our favourite ways to eat mac and cheese!

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Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes
4 years ago

I love the idea of cooking it with milk and water..I am sure this tastes so creamy and yummy!!

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Author
The Gardening Foodie
4 years ago
Reply to  Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes

Cooking it in milk and water really adds to the creaminess, and you don't have to make a separate sauce. Its the perfect all in one dish!

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Welcome to my blog on simple gardening ideas and easy-to-follow recipes. Great recipes made with everyday ingredients to create impressive treats. Let me show you just how easy it really is. Enjoy ♥
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