Description
This One Pot Mac and Cheese is a quick and satisfying dish perfect for busy weeknights. Creamy, cheesy, and ready in just 30 minutes, it features tender elbow pasta combined with rich cheddar and gruyere. Whether you’re looking for comfort food or a simple dinner, this recipe delivers flavor with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups water
- 2 3/4 cups whole milk, plus more to thin if needed
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 16 oz. dry elbow pasta
- 1 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, or more to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 oz. (1 cup) american cheese, shredded or cut into small cubes
- 2 cups (8 oz) extra sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups (6 oz) gruyere cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine water, milk, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add the elbow pasta, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook uncovered, ensuring to stir every 2 minutes, until the pasta is just al dente, about 7 to 8 minutes.
- Lower the heat. Pour in the heavy cream, then add the American cheese and butter. Stir until melted.
- Remove from heat and incorporate the cheddar and gruyere cheeses. Let sit for a minute for the cheese to melt, then stir to combine thoroughly. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of milk and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Notes
Feel free to mix in other cheeses based on your preference.
For added flavors, consider incorporating cooked vegetables like broccoli or peas.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg