Unbelievably Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese
This unbelievably creamy one pot mac and cheese is foolproof, quick, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. The pasta simmers directly in chicken broth with seasonings, then milk, butter, and a trio of cheeses—cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan—melt in to create the silkiest sauce. No draining, no roux, and no stress—just cheesy comfort food ready in 15 minutes!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10mins
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
-
1 lb elbow macaroni
-
4 cups chicken broth (or water)
-
1 cup whole milk
-
4 tbsp butter
-
1 tsp garlic powder
-
1 tsp mustard powder
-
Salt & black pepper, to taste
-
2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (shred from a block)
-
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (shred from a block)
-
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best)
Instructions
-
In a large pot, combine pasta, chicken broth, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a simmer.
-
Cook uncovered until pasta is al dente or just barely cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring often so it doesn’t stick.
-
Do NOT drain the broth. Stir in the milk and butter until warmed through.
-
Remove from heat. Add cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan a handful at a time, stirring constantly until melted and creamy.
-
Adjust with more milk if needed. Serve hot with extra Parmesan or parsley on top
Notes
-
Shred your own cheese: Always shred cheese from a block for the smoothest melt. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.
-
Add-ins: Stir in cooked bacon, shredded chicken, or broccoli for extra flavor.
-
Make it baked: Transfer to a dish, top with buttered breadcrumbs and Parmesan, bake at 375°F until golden and bubbly.
-
Storage: Keep leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Find it online: https://lifebyleanna.com/one-pot-mac-and-cheese/