Single Serving Baked Mac and Cheese (5 Ingredients)
This super creamy single serving baked mac and cheese has a deliciously crunchy topping that bakes up perfectly in the oven. Make the macaroni on the stove or in the microwave for a quick 15 minute dinner.
Servings 1 person
Equipment
- medium saucepan, with lid
- 6 ounce oven safe ramekin or oven safe saucepan (cook pasta in it)
- Measuring cups, spoons
Ingredients
- ¾ cup milk
- ¾ cup water
- 2.5 ounces pasta (or about ⅔ cup) elbow noodles, fusilli, other short corkscrew pastas
- pinch salt
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 slice American cheese
- 1-2 teaspoons Italian breadcrumbs or breadcrumbs with a large pinch of Italian seasoning
- 1-2 teaspoons grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Add ¾ cup milk, ¾ cup water, 2.5 ounces pasta, and a pinch of salt to oven safe saucepan. Heat over medium/medium-high heat. Bring to boil and cook until desired doneness (about 5-8 minutes). Stir frequently and remove floating foam from milk. Add additional water if needed.
- There should be about 1-2 Tablespoons of liquid remaining once pasta is done cooking. Add additional milk after pasta is cooked, if needed (to have 1-2 Tablespoons liquid).
- Reduce heat to low. Add ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 slice American cheese to pasta. Stir with spoon. Stir until cheese is melted and smooth. Preheat oven to BROIL.
- If your saucepan isn't oven safe, transfer to oven safe ramekin. Evenly sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons of Italian breadcrumbs over macaroni, optional: add 1-2 teaspoons grated parmesan cheese to top.
- Transfer to oven, bake for 2-5 minutes, or until breadcrumbs are golden brown. Check frequently to avoid burning.
- Serve with sides, if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Video
Notes
- Use your preferred pasta in this recipe. I recommend small, round or corkscrew shaped pastas with edges and/or ridges to hold onto the sauce.
- Adding milk to your pasta water will help sauce stick to your pasta better.
- You can add pasta to your cooking water before boiling. It'll save you a few minutes, if you'd like.
- Cook pasta in an oven safe saucepan for fewer dishes to wash.
- I highly recommend adding some American cheese to your pasta for a very creamy sauce that doesn't break apart. But you can substitute the cheeses for your favorites.
- Microwave Instructions. Use the same ingredients, cook the pasta in ¾ cup if water for about 4 minutes, or until softened. Add 1-2 Tablespoons milk, cheeses. Stir, cook for another 1.5-2 minutes. Then add breadcrumbs.