When your craving strikes for a hearty, cheesy comfort food, but the idea of preparing a large casserole seems overwhelming, consider the convenience of making baked mac and cheese for one. With simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can satisfy your longing for macaroni deliciously coated in melted cheese, all in a personalized portion. Whether you're cooking for a quick solo meal or want to indulge in a cozy treat without leftovers, this recipe serves as an ideal solution, ensuring you enjoy a flavorful and satisfying dish made just for you.
Here are our top 16 tried and tested recipes!
MAC 'N' CHEESE FOR ONE
This casserole is easy to make and goes well with any meat without having days of leftovers.-Lucy Holland, Derby Line, Vermont
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 1 serving.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter; stir in flour, salt and pepper. Whisk in milk until smooth. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add the cheese, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and onion; stir until cheese is melted. Add macaroni. Transfer to a greased 1-cup baking dish. Sprinkle with saltines; dot with remaining butter. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 15 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts :
MACARONI AND CHEESE FOR ONE
The movie "Home Alone" served as inspiration to this macaroni and cheese. Although it says it's meant for one, it will serve two if you're feeling generous!
Provided by thedailygourmet
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour until mixture is smooth. Slowly add half-and-half, whisking as it is poured in. Stir until sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese, salt, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, pepper, and turmeric; whisk to combine.
- Drain macaroni and add to the cheese sauce. Stir until evenly coated.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1082.8 calories, Carbohydrate 103.7 g, Cholesterol 159.2 mg, Fat 55.8 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 41 g, SaturatedFat 34.4 g, Sodium 2138.2 mg, Sugar 12.6 g
ONE-DISH BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
I like this recipe because I can mix it together, put it in the oven and not worry about noodles boiling over while taking care of our twins. The timing for stirring the dish while baking isn't critical. This recipe was inspired by some other macaroni and cheese recipes I found on RecipeZaar while looking for something to do with cottage cheese (#251829 and #107973). It's a hit with our kids and my husband enjoys it, too. I use gluten-free noodles, you'll have to adjust the liquid and timing if you use standard wheat noodles. The cottage cheese will liquefy while baking so don't add too much liquid at first. I use a 10" square Corning Ware dish, a slightly larger dish would be better because sometimes it bubbles over a little before I remove the lid.
Provided by klwg6808
Categories Cheese
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Grease a large covered baking dish.
- Put the milk, dry noodles, cottage cheese, mustard, salt and half the cheddar cheese in the dish and mix well.
- Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven, reduce heat to 350 degrees F, add rest of cheddar cheese, stir well and return to oven for 15 minutes more.
- Remove from oven, stir well, mix in optional vegetable, and top with shredded Parmesan if desired.
- Return to oven without lid and bake about 15 minutes more, until browned on top.
- Remove from oven and let cool maybe 10 minutes before serving, will be very hot out of the oven.
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
In classic Southern style, this is a baked mac and cheese set in a light egg custard and flavored with sharp yellow Cheddar. Creamy and moist, it bridges the gap between those who like their mac and cheese sliceable and those who prefer to spoon it, oozing, from the pot.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender, about 7 minutes; strain well. Transfer the macaroni to a large bowl, add the butter and toss to coat.
- Whisk together the milk, eggs and 2 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl. Add the milk-egg mixture to the macaroni; add the Cheddar and stir until it is evenly distributed. Pour into the prepared casserole dish.
- Bake until the custard is set and the top is browned and bubbling, 30 to 35 minutes.
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE FOR ONE
This is a fast, easy to prepare, and filling meal. Once you try homemade mac and cheese, you'll never want the boxed stuff again. I cook mine in a soup crock.
Provided by amydoll
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease an oven-proof soup crock or 1 cup baking dish.
- Fill a small saucepan with water, and bring to a boil. Stir in the macaroni; boil until cooked but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well, and reserve.
- In the same saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, and milk; whisk until smooth. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and whisk in 1/3 cup cheese, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Stir in the cooked macaroni. Spoon the macaroni and cheese into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon cheddar cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and the macaroni is heated through, about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 468.7 calories, Carbohydrate 30 g, Cholesterol 88.6 mg, Fat 30 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 19.8 g, SaturatedFat 18.7 g, Sodium 1046.2 mg, Sugar 6.5 g
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
Provided by Trisha Yearwood
Categories side-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- For the macaroni: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt and macaroni. Bring the water back to a boil and cook the macaroni until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
- For the cheese sauce: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan. Using a wire whisk, stir in the flour and salt, stirring and cooking over medium heat until the roux bubbles and the flour turns pale brown, about 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the milk and then whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly.
- For the topping: In a small bowl, stir the breadcrumbs with the butter until the crumbs are moistened.
- Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the prepared baking dish and top with the buttered breadcrumbs. Bake until the dish bubbles around the edges, about 15 minutes.
MACARONI AND CHEESE FOR TWO
This is one of those dishes that our family calls "a Mama recipe." My mother rarely consulted a cookbook, so when asked for a recipe, she could only estimate. I've worked out the ingredients to make it for two, but it can easily be doubled. It's simply a good, wholesome dish most folks seem to enjoy. -Betty Allen, East Point, Georgia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 40m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, combine macaroni, cheese, milk, egg and salt; mix well. Pour into a greased 1-qt. shallow baking dish; dot with butter. Bake, uncovered, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 447 calories, Fat 27g fat (18g saturated fat), Cholesterol 190mg cholesterol, Sodium 1050mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 21g protein.
BAKED MAC & CHEESE FOR TWO
"I have added other ingredients like turkey, broccoli and cauliflower, to make this a full meal. The possibilities are endless!" Denise Hash, Billings, MT
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. In a large saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk; stir in the salt, pepper, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and nutmeg. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheeses until melted., Drain pasta; stir in cheese sauce. Transfer to an ungreased 2-cup baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until bubbly.
Nutrition Facts :
THE EASIEST BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE
There may be lots of recipes out there for macaroni and cheese, but this is the first one I ever found that you don't have to cook the macaroni before you bake it. It is also really simple to put together - all in the casserole dish you are baking it in! I got this from a newsletter of an organization. I take this to potlucks all the time and I always come home with none of it left. It's a dish I'm constantly handing out the recipe for; be sure not to use cheese that has been frozen and thawed because it will ruin the consistency of the dish. You can also cut down on the butter if you would like to lose some of the fat. This is not a real creamy cheesy type of macaroni and cheese, which can sometimes be a little too rich for our tastes. I've made those, but my family prefers this kind over any other.
Provided by CookingONTheSide
Categories Cheese
Time 1h10m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt butter in microwave.
- Pour macaroni in 2-3 quart casserole dish. Pour butter over macaroni. Stir well to coat.
- Add salt and pepper. Stir well.
- Add cheese. Sometimes I may use a mixture of monterey, colby and cheddar, depending on what I have at the time. Mix well.
- Add milk. Do not stir.
- Bake uncovered in oven for 60 minutes. I do think this tastes best when it is still hot from the oven.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 704, Fat 37.3, SaturatedFat 23.1, Cholesterol 116.4, Sodium 1131.8, Carbohydrate 61.2, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 2, Protein 30.7
ONE-PAN OVEN MAC AND CHEESE
Remember the viral TikTok Feta Pasta? We're giving the same place-and-bake pasta method new life in the form of a decadent, four-cheese mac and cheese. In just under an hour, you'll get a creamy, crowd-pleasing side that's even easier to throw together than the box you grab off the shelf (but so much tastier). Feel free to mix in some truffle oil or top with crushed Ritz® crackers.
Provided by anncamp
Categories 100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes Pasta by Shape Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Place blocks of Fontina and sharp Cheddar cheeses in the center of an ungreased, 9-inch square baking dish. Pour pasta into the dish, spreading evenly around the cheese. Pour half-and-half directly on top of the pasta and stir until evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then top with shredded white Cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, spreading evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Pull the dish out of the oven, stir in milk, and mix until noodles, cheese, and sauce are evenly combined. Return to the oven and cook until golden and bubbly, about 25 minutes more.
- Stir and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 398.4 calories, Carbohydrate 30.4 g, Cholesterol 73.5 mg, Fat 22.3 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 18.8 g, SaturatedFat 13.7 g, Sodium 360.9 mg, Sugar 2.4 g
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
Even people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp white cheddar cheese for more flavor. -Shelby Thompson of Dover, Delaware
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente; drain., In a Dutch oven, heat 1/3 cup butter over medium heat; saute onion until tender. Stir in flour and seasonings until blended; gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Stir in macaroni. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., In a microwave, melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake, uncovered, until heated through, 30-35 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 689 calories, Fat 37g fat (22g saturated fat), Cholesterol 104mg cholesterol, Sodium 834mg sodium, Carbohydrate 62g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 28g protein.
ONE STEP BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
I found this recipe on Walmart.com...they said it was under $1 per serving if using all Great Value Brand products! This is a one-dish meal that is quick and easy to put together, cooks in about an hour, and is homemade!
Provided by Lola926
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h5m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven 350°F.
- In bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and sugar (optional).
- In 2-quart oblong baking dish, combine remaining ingredients, reserving some cheese for later, if desired.
- Carefully pour milk mixture over macaroni and stir well.
- Bake, covered, 60-65 minutes or until all liquid is almost absorbed.
- Uncover, add remaining cheese, and continue baking about 5 minutes more or until cheese melts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 189.2, Fat 2.2, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 22.2, Sodium 76.2, Carbohydrate 34.3, Fiber 3.2, Protein 10.2
CREAMY MACARONI & CHEESE - FOR TWO OR ONE
I shouldn't be surprised that there are more than 600 recipes for this dish. After reading many, many of them, I have come to the conclusion that this one has it's place here at Zaar. The sauce is smooth and creamy, with little pockets of melted cheese throughout. I hope you like this as much as I do. Cooking time includes the making of the sauce and baking.
Provided by Diana 2
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 40m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven at 350°F.
- Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al-dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the milk in the microwave, on high for 1-1/2 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Add salt, pepper and chopped onion. Sauté on medium heat, until the onion is transparent and soft, but not brown.
- Sprinkle the flour on top, and allow the butter to absorb some of it before stirring.
- Add the hot milk in 3 additions, stirring constantly. The mixture will get thick very quickly.
- After the final addition of milk, continue heating the mixture, on medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly.
- *Remove from heat* and stir in the grated cheese, chives and red pepper flakes.
- Add the drained pasta and mix well.
- Fold in the cubed cheese.
- Pour into two greased onion soup bowls.
- Bake for 20 - 25 minutes.
- Allow to cool a bit before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 701.2, Fat 41.8, SaturatedFat 26.1, Cholesterol 126.7, Sodium 924.2, Carbohydrate 51.3, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 3.4, Protein 30.2
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
this is my hubby's great grandma's recipe. Most mac and cheese recipes call for cooking the noodles first, I am usually pressed for time so this recipe is a great alternative. Just throw it together and pop in the oven.
Provided by melmorr
Categories Cheese
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- toss uncooked noodles in melted butter.
- Place in 9X13 baking dish, cover with shredded cheese, pour milk over all. Salt and pepper if desired.
- I used to stir periodically but my husband told me he likes the crunchy bits from not stirring.
- Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 409.5, Fat 21.4, SaturatedFat 13.2, Cholesterol 62.1, Sodium 496.4, Carbohydrate 36.8, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 0.9, Protein 17.4
CLASSIC BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: unsalted butter, all purpose flour, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, whole milk, heavy cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, kosher salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, panko breadcrumbs
Provided by Next Level Chef on Fox
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, and pepper and whisk until smooth and bubbling, about 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly, until smooth. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 4-5 minutes. Add the cheddar cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Fold in the cooked pasta until evenly coated.
- Pour the mac and cheese into a 9-inch square pan.
- Make the bread crumb topping: In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, salt, garlic powder, and paprika with a fork until combined. Add the panko bread crumbs and stir until evenly coated in the butter mixture.
- Sprinkle the bread crumb topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake the mac and cheese for 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is browned (if the top isn't browning, broil on high for 2-3 minutes).
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 679 calories, Carbohydrate 70 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 22 grams, Sugar 6 grams
BAKED HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
This recipe was given to me by my friend Katie. It's a longtime favorite in her family.
Provided by Jody
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the macaroni, and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
- Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Turn off heat and stir in Cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted. Add the macaroni and stir to coat. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix the 1/4 remaining cup melted butter and crushed crackers together in a bowl; scatter the cracker mixture evenly over the macaroni mixture.
- Bake in preheated oven until golden brown on top, about 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 810.1 calories, Carbohydrate 57.3 g, Cholesterol 133.1 mg, Fat 49.9 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 32.4 g, SaturatedFat 28.9 g, Sodium 1011.5 mg, Sugar 9.8 g
Tips:
- Use a small baking dish that is just large enough to hold the macaroni and cheese. This will help the cheese to melt evenly and prevent it from drying out.
- Use a good quality cheese. A sharp cheddar cheese will give the mac and cheese a rich, flavorful taste.
- Add some cooked vegetables to the mac and cheese for a healthy and colorful twist. Broccoli, cauliflower, and peas are all good options.
- If you like a crispy topping, sprinkle some bread crumbs or crushed crackers on top of the mac and cheese before baking.
- Serve the mac and cheese immediately after baking. It is best enjoyed when it is hot and bubbly.
Conclusion:
Baked mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give this baked mac and cheese recipe a try.
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