Quick Mac and Cheese for One
User Reviews
4.9
Quick Mac and Cheese for One
Description
This recipe begins by cooking macaroni pasta in salted water. Meanwhile, a roux is made by melting butter and whisking in flour until golden, then gradually adding milk to create a thickened sauce. Sharp cheddar cheese is incorporated off the heat to ensure a smooth melt and rich flavor. Seasoning with salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne and nutmeg adds subtle depth and a slight kick.
The cooked pasta is drained and combined with the cheese sauce, resulting in creamy mac and cheese with a balanced savory taste. The process is straightforward and ideal for preparing a single portion without leftovers.
Adapting this recipe to other pasta shapes is possible but requires weighing instead of volume measures, as shapes vary in size. The sauce thickens slightly longer when doubled due to increased volume.
Ingredients
- 2.5 ounces macaroni or pasta of choice, uncooked, 1/2 cup
- 1 tablespoon butter salted
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup milk any percentage
- ½ cup cheddar cheese 2 oz, shredded, sharp
- salt
- black pepper
- cayenne pepper optional, pinch
- nutmeg optional, pinch
Instructions
- Bring a small pot of lightly salted water to boil over high heat.
- While your water heats, shred cheese, measure out the rest of your ingredients.
- Cook macaroni according to the instructions on the box.
- While your pasta cooks, in a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook until a thick paste forms and turns golden, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk, whisking out any lumps as they form. Cook, whisking constantly until mixture thickens and begins to bubble around the edges, 2 to 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese until completely melted. Add salt and pepper to taste, remembering that the pasta will cut the level of spice once added. If you like nutmeg and cayenne (I do!), start with a sprinkle, taste, and work your way up. A little of both goes a long way!
- Once pasta is cooked, drain and stir in cheese sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- When using pasta other than macaroni, measure by weight for accuracy as volume varies with shapes.
- Feel free to mix different melty cheeses; Pecorino Romano is a recommended addition when available.
- Doubling the recipe does not change ingredients but will increase sauce thickening time slightly.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 1Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 641 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 641kcal | 32% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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