Best 5 One Pot Mac And Cheese Recipes

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When it comes to comfort food, few dishes can rival the classic macaroni and cheese. With its creamy texture, gooey cheese, and nostalgic flavors, it's a dish that brings joy to people of all ages. However, traditional mac and cheese recipes can be time-consuming and require multiple pots and pans. If you're looking for an easier way to enjoy this classic dish, then you need to try one-pot mac and cheese. These recipes are made in a single pot, which means less mess and less cleanup. Plus, they're just as delicious as the traditional versions. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to whip up a delicious one-pot mac and cheese that will satisfy your cravings and warm your soul.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ONE-POT MAC AND CHEESE



One-Pot Mac and Cheese image

Who likes cleaning up after making mac and cheese? Not this girl. This one-pot mac and cheese is a family favorite, and my 3-year-old is thrilled to see it coming to the dinner table. We love to add sliced smoked sausage to this creamy mac recipe! -Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

3-1/2 cups whole milk
3 cups water
1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
4 ounces Velveeta, cubed
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, combine milk, water and macaroni; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer until macaroni is tender and almost all the cooking liquid has been absorbed, 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low; stir in cheeses until melted. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 344 calories, Fat 14g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 42mg cholesterol, Sodium 450mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

ONE-POT PHILLY CHEESE STEAK MAC AND CHEESE



One-Pot Philly Cheese Steak Mac and Cheese image

We made sure the classic Philly cheese steak flavor really hit the mark in this hearty dinner. It's a one-pot wonder that you only have to travel to your pantry to make!

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs
1 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef
2 cups thinly sliced onions
2 medium green bell peppers, cut in thin bite-size strips
4 teaspoons Montreal steak grill seasoning
4 cups water
1 lb uncooked elbow macaroni
1 package (16 oz) Kraft™ Velveeta™ cheese, cut into cubes
1 cup shredded provolone and mozzarella cheese blend (4 oz)

Steps:

  • In 5-quart Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir 2 to 5 minutes or until toasted. Transfer to small bowl, and wipe out pan.
  • In same Dutch oven, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add beef, onions, bell peppers and grill seasoning; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until beef is cooked through and onions are tender. Pour mixture into large bowl; cover with foil to keep warm.
  • Stir water and macaroni into Dutch oven; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cook 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until macaroni is cooked through. Do not drain.
  • Stir beef mixture into macaroni mixture; cook and stir 1 minute to heat through. Remove from heat; stir in cheese cubes until melted. Top with shredded cheese blend. Cover and let stand 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with toasted bread crumbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 610, Carbohydrate 64 g, Cholesterol 105 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 3 g, Protein 35 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1370 mg, Sugar 9 g, TransFat 1 g

ONE-POT RANCH MAC AND CHEESE



One-Pot Ranch Mac and Cheese image

Forget about boiling up a big pot of salted water. In this ultra-creamy recipe, the pasta cooks directly in the milk, creating a rich thick base for the sauce. Three kinds of cheese, plus fresh chives and dill give it the familiar fresh tang of our favorite ranch dressing.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 cups whole milk
12 ounces elbow macaroni (about 3 cups)
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (about 3 cups; see Cook's Note)
3 ounces part-skim mozzarella, shredded (about 1 cup; see Cook's Note)
2 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Large pinch cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

Steps:

  • Put the milk and macaroni in a large saucepan. Bring the milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to keep the macaroni from clumping. Continue to boil, stirring frequently, until the macaroni is tender and the milk has thickened to the consistency of heavy cream, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the Monterey Jack cheese, mozzarella, cream cheese, sour cream, butter, cayenne and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and stir until smooth, thick and creamy. Fold in the dill and chives. Serve hot. (The dish will thicken as it cools; thin it out with a little hot water if desired.)

ONE-POT PULLED PORK MAC AND CHEESE



One-Pot Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese image

Add pulled pork to this Cheddar-and-mozzarella mac and cheese; top it with barbecue or hot sauce if you're feeling bold.

Provided by Food Network

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 cups whole milk
12 ounces elbow macaroni (about 3 cups)
8 ounces mild Cheddar, shredded (about 3 cups), plus more, for sprinkling
3 ounces part-skim mozzarella, shredded (about 1 cup)
3 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Large pinch of cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
1 cup leftover pulled pork, warm
3 scallions, sliced, plus more, for sprinkling
Barbecue or hot sauce, for serving, optional

Steps:

  • Combine the milk and macaroni in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to keep the macaroni from clumping, then cook, stirring frequently, until the macaroni is tender and the milk has thickened to the consistency of heavy cream, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the Cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, butter, mustard, cayenne and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and stir until smooth, thick and creamy. Stir in half the pulled pork. (The dish will thicken as it cools; thin it out with a little hot water if desired.) Spoon the remaining half of the pork over the mac and cheese and sprinkle with additional Cheddar and scallion.
  • Serve hot with barbecue sauce or hot sauce if using.

ONE-POT CHILI MAC AND CHEESE



One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese image

This delicious chili mac and cheese with ground beef, diced tomatoes, rich tomato sauce, chili beans and spices is cooked all in one pot--including the macaroni!

Provided by RAGÚ®

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Ragu®

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium sweet onion, diced small
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups Ragu® Old World Style® Traditional Pasta Sauce
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
1 (16 ounce) can mild chili beans, undrained
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 ½ cups uncooked elbow macaroni
¾ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and beef. Stirring frequently, cook until meat is browned and crumbly, about 3 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  • Stir in chicken broth, Ragu® sauce, diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, beans, chili powder, and cumin. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil and stir in pasta; cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until pasta is al dente, about 14 minutes.
  • Remove from heat. Stir in the cheese and parsley. Serve immediately, garnished with additional cheese and parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 462.9 calories, Carbohydrate 45.9 g, Cholesterol 66 mg, Fat 19.2 g, Fiber 7.1 g, Protein 28.5 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 1232.5 mg, Sugar 7.8 g

Tips:

  • Use a good quality cheese. The type of cheese you use will greatly impact the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a cheese that melts well and has a strong flavor, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. You want the pasta to be cooked through but still have a little bit of a bite to it. This will help prevent it from getting mushy when you add the cheese sauce.
  • Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. It helps to create a smooth and creamy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
  • Use milk or cream. You can use milk, cream, or a combination of both to make the cheese sauce. Milk will produce a lighter sauce, while cream will produce a richer, more decadent sauce.
  • Season the cheese sauce. Be sure to season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. This will help to enhance the flavor of the sauce and make it more delicious.
  • Add mix-ins. Once you have made the basic cheese sauce, you can add in all sorts of mix-ins to create different flavor variations. Some popular mix-ins include cooked bacon, diced ham, chopped vegetables, or crumbled sausage.

Conclusion:

One-pot mac and cheese is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that the whole family will love. Whether you like your mac and cheese classic or jazzed up with mix-ins, there is a recipe in this article that is sure to please everyone. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give one-pot mac and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!

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