When it comes to quick and easy meals, microwave mac and cheese is a classic. This dish is a favorite among people of all ages, and it can be prepared in just a few minutes. With so many different microwave mac and cheese recipes available, finding the best one can be a challenge. In this article, we will provide you with a guide to finding the best microwave mac and cheese recipe, taking into account factors such as ingredients, cooking time, and taste. Whether you prefer a simple and classic recipe or one with more unique flavors, we have you covered. Get ready to discover the perfect microwave mac and cheese recipe that will satisfy your cravings and make your taste buds dance.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
MICROWAVE MAC AND CHEESE
This from-scratch mac and cheese cooks in one bowl, and you don't have to boil the macaroni or cook the cheese sauce separately. Plus, it's ready in less than half an hour. A blend of American and Jack cheeses makes the sauce smooth and tangy.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Stir the macaroni, 1 cup of the milk and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe 4-quart bowl. (It is important that you use a bowl large enough to prevent the milk from boiling over.) Cover tightly with plastic wrap; cut a small slit in the center with the tip of a paring knife to vent excess steam. Microwave on high (at 100 percent power) for 4 minutes in either an 1,100- or a 700-watt oven. Uncover (be careful to avoid the hot steam) and stir. Cover and microwave on high (at 100 percent power) until the macaroni is about two-thirds cooked, a little harder than al dente, 1 1/2 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 3 1/2 minutes in a 700-watt oven.
- Add the remaining cup of milk, American cheese, Jack cheese, Parmesan, cream cheese and mustard. Stir well, cover tightly and microwave on high (at 100 percent power) until all the cheeses have melted, 4 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 4 1/2 in a 700-watt oven. Stir until thoroughly combined. If there are still some pieces of unmelted cheese, microwave again, covered, in 30-second increments. (The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits.) If desired, transfer to a decorative dish for serving.
MICROWAVE MAC 'N' CHEESE
My family prefers homemade macaroni and cheese over the kind you get out of the box. This recipe is an easy way to keep them happy. Whenever we have a family get-together, I bring this comforting dish. Its "from scratch" taste can't be beat. -Linda Gingrich, Freeburg, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a 2-qt. microwave-safe dish, combine the first seven ingredients. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes; stir. Cover and cook at 50% power for 3 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil. , Combine flour and milk until smooth; gradually stir into macaroni mixture. Add cheese. Cover and cook on high for 6-8 minutes or until the macaroni is tender and sauce is bubbly, stirring every 3 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 543 calories, Fat 33g fat (20g saturated fat), Cholesterol 87mg cholesterol, Sodium 1311mg sodium, Carbohydrate 44g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 20g protein.
CREAMY MICROWAVE MAC AND CHEESE
Make and share this Creamy Microwave Mac and Cheese recipe from Food.com.
Provided by swirlycinnacakes
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, boil water. Add macaroni and cook 8 minutes; drain.
- In a glass or microwave safe dish, melt butter for 30 seconds. Blend in flour and salt.
- Stir in milk until smooth.
- Microwave 2 minutes, stirring with a fork after 1 minute, until thickened.
- Stir in cheese until completely melted.
- Pour well drained macaroni into cheese sauce, mixing well.
- Microwave at medium-high heat for 3 minutes.
- If desired, sprinkle top with bread crumbs before serving.
MICROWAVE VEGAN MAC & CHEESE
I like making this with real cheese but found it works just as well with soy cheez! Amy's makes good vegan mac and cheese but can get pricey...here you can replicate it at home. This is a good size to make for just one person but if you have guests or are making for more people, doubling works. EDIT: After much chat in the Vegetarian & Vegan forum about soy cheeses, I feel I should edit this description (not the actual recipe) to inform purist vegans and/or those with extreme intolerances to dairy products to be wary about soy cheeses containing casein and other milk products. Sorta defeats the purpose! The purely vegan "cheese" that got the best reviews in the thread is Daiya. There was one truly vegan cheese I used to get at Stop & Shop that melts pretty well, but the flavor would be lacking a little hence the 2 tablespoons of nooch helps thicken the soymilk (since it won't thicken under heat itself) and give a flavor and cheeziness boost. Plus lots of nutrients for very little calories!
Provided by the80srule
Categories Soy/Tofu
Time 15m
Yield 2 cups, 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Boil 1 dry cup of macaroni in salted water for about 7-8 minutes-- an al dente texture is important or else this gets too mushy.
- Drain the macaroni and put into a microwave-safe dish.
- Put the soy cheese (or real cheese if you do the non-vegan option) into the dish and mix well.
- Mix the nutritional yeast with the soymilk and pour in the dish too.
- Add the paprika and mustard powder and mix well again.
- Microwave for 2-3 minutes or until all the soy cheese has melted. Mix well, and if it looks like there's still liquid at the bottom from the soymilk, nuke again for another minute or so and mix again.
- Yields about 2 one-cup servings but sometimes if I'm really hungry I just eat the whole thing out of the container and call it dinner!
- On that note, if you'd like to make it a small one-dish meal, try adding some chopped broccoli, tomato slices, and/or dulse leaves or flakes for "bacon" since those 3 things commonly are baked in mac & cheese dishes.
MICROWAVE MAC & CHEESE
This is so simple and fast with homemade great taste, who needs boxed mac and cheese you can make this in the same amount of time. This picture was made with whole wheat penne pasta.
Provided by susan simons
Categories Pasta Sides
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 1. Put butter in large microwave bowl. Nuke 1 minute. Stir in salt, flour, and pepper; blend well. Put 2 cups milk in glass. Cook on HIGH 2 minutes. Gradually stir into flour mixture, blend until smooth. Stir in cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and nuke 2 more minutes. Add macaroni; toss throughly and nuke 2 to 3 more minutes. Then eat.
Tips:
- Choose the right pasta: Small-shaped pasta like elbow macaroni, shells, or rotini work best for mac and cheese as they hold the cheese sauce well.
- Cook the pasta al dente: The pasta should be cooked until it's tender but still has a slightly firm bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when you add the cheese sauce.
- Use a good quality cheese: The type of cheese you use will have a big impact on the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a sharp cheddar cheese for a classic flavor, or try a combination of cheeses like cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan for a more complex flavor.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that helps to thicken the cheese sauce. This will prevent it from being too thin and runny.
- Season the cheese sauce: Don't forget to season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. This will help to enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Use evaporated milk: Evaporated milk is a good substitute for milk in mac and cheese because it's thicker and creamier. This will help to make the cheese sauce more rich and flavorful.
- Don't overcook the mac and cheese: Once you've combined the pasta and cheese sauce, heat it just until it's warmed through. Overcooking will make the pasta mushy and the cheese sauce rubbery.
Conclusion:
Microwave mac and cheese is a quick and easy meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious and creamy mac and cheese that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck. So next time you're short on time, give microwave mac and cheese a try!
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