Description
A creamy, cheesy, and wholesome one-pot mac and cheese that skips the roux and heavy cream. This budget-friendly dinner uses simple pantry staples and cooks in under 20 minutes for a quick, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225g) elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegan)
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (100g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup (50g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup frozen peas or corn
Instructions
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Grate the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
- Place a large pot over medium heat and add the butter. Once melted, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the dry macaroni and stir to coat in butter. Add the chicken broth and milk, stirring to combine.
- Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes.
- Check pasta for doneness; it should be tender but al dente. Add a splash of water if needed.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Sprinkle the grated cheeses over the hot pasta. Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and frozen peas/corn.
- Stir gently until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Let sit for 2 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.
Notes
For best results, grate your own cheese as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Remove the pot from heat before adding cheese to prevent it from becoming grainy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk. For a vegan version, use vegetable broth, plant-based butter, and dairy-free cheese.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: one pot mac and cheese, healthy mac and cheese, cheap dinner ideas, easy weeknight dinner, family friendly pasta, budget meals, quick recipes