The world’s best 3-ingredient mac and cheese by far!
There is nothing that signifies comforts like mac and cheese. The warm and gooey golden macaroni is an easy win for everyone in the family. When it comes to southern comfort food, mac and cheese is a must-have.
Not to mention, all three ingredients are staples, with shelf lives of weeks or months. This creamy, luscious one-pot macaroni and cheese dinner is perfect for busy weeknights.
All you need are three ingredients to make a surprisingly simple variation on your family’s favorite mac and cheese recipe.
In only 20 minutes, you can make a warm one-pot mac and cheese that will have your kids clamoring for seconds. Cooking macaroni with a tiny amount of water concentrates the starch in the pasta, which aids the formation of a creamy emulsion with the cheese.
Three-Ingredient One-Pot Mac and Cheese
This creamy, luscious one-pot macaroni and cheese dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. All you need are three ingredients to make a surprisingly simple variation on your family's favorite mac and cheese recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1lb uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
Instructions
- In a 5-quart nonstick Dutch oven, bring evaporated milk, 4 cups hot water, macaroni, and salt to taste to a boil. Cook, stirring often, on high heat until the pasta cooking water is simmering. Remove the pot from the heat and add the cheese when the pasta cooking water has decreased by about half. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often, for 6 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 8 minutes, stirring continuously, do not drain.
- Continue to stir continuously for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted, and combined with the pasta water and butter to form an emulsified sauce. Season to taste with salt if necessary. Serve right away.
Notes
You may use whatever type of cheese you choose. Alternatively, a cheese mixture
Add 1 cup more milk to the saucepan while the macaroni is cooking for an extra creamy mac & cheese.
More About This 3-Ingredient Mac and Cheese Recipe
Macaroni and cheese take its name from the most frequented noodle used in the dish: elbow macaroni, of course!
However, if you prefer, you may use different varieties of pasta in place of elbow macaroni if you keep a few things in mind.
When it comes to mac and cheese, every bite should have as much cheese sauce as possible. That’s why you’ll want to choose spaghetti noodles with small nooks and crannies for catching the cheese sauce—rotini, shells, farfalle, and orecchiette are all great options! You should avoid spaghetti and fettuccine, which are thin, silky noodles.