Busy weeknights are no match for this creamy, dreamy one-pot macaroni and cheese meal. Three ingredients are all you need for a surprisingly easy twist on the classic mac dish your family loves. In just 20 minutes, you can whip up a cozy one-pot mac and cheese that will have your kids asking for seconds.
More About This Recipe
- Macaroni and cheese gets its name from the noodle most commonly associated with it: elbow macaroni, of course! But you can substitute other types of pasta for elbow macaroni if you so choose, as long as you keep a few things in mind. When it comes to mac and cheese, you want as much cheese sauce as you can get in every bite. That’s why you’ll want to use pasta noodles that have little nooks and crannies that can catch the cheese sauce—pasta types like rotini, shells, farfalle and orecchiette are all excellent choices! You’ll want to stay away from the skinny, smooth noodles like spaghetti and fettuccine. Once you’ve tried this basic one-pot mac and cheese made with only three ingredients, you should try all of our delicious riffs on this delicious dish! We have every macaroni and cheese recipe you could ever want, from baked mac and cheese and slow-cooker mac and cheese to Alfredo mac and cheese, and more!
3-Ingredient One-Pot Mac and Cheese
- Prep Time 20 min
- Total 20 min
- Ingredients 3
- Servings 6
Ingredients
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 lb uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
Instructions
-
Step1In 5-quart nonstick Dutch oven, heat evaporated milk, 4 cups hot water, macaroni and salt to taste to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook 6 minutes, stirring frequently.
-
Step2Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 8 minutes, stirring frequently; do not drain.
-
Step3Remove from heat; stir in cheese until melted.
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Nutrition
540
Calories
17g
Total Fat
25g
Protein
71g
Total Carbohydrate
7g
Sugars
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories
- 540
- Calories from Fat
- 150
- Total Fat
- 17g
- 26%
- Saturated Fat
- 10g
- 48%
- Trans Fat
- 0g
- Cholesterol
- 50mg
- 16%
- Sodium
- 310mg
- 13%
- Potassium
- 310mg
- 9%
- Total Carbohydrate
- 71g
- 24%
- Dietary Fiber
- 4g
- 15%
- Sugars
- 7g
- Protein
- 25g
% Daily Value*:
- Vitamin A
- 10%
- 10%
- Vitamin C
- 0%
- 0%
- Calcium
- 35%
- 35%
- Iron
- 15%
- 15%
Exchanges:
3 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 1 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1 High-Fat Meat; 1/2 Fat;Carbohydrate Choice
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Pillsbury Kitchens
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