Isn’t macaroni and cheese just one of the all-time ultimate comfort foods? I know it is for me. All that cheesy, creamy goodness wrapped around soft pasta. What more could you want? Of course, there are a multitude of recipes for mac and cheese. Everything from the ordinary to the sublime. But this is one for days when you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table. It’s really quick. It can be ready in little more than the time it takes to boil the macaroni and it’s very satisfying.
1 lb. elbow macaroni
7 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
4 oz. processed American cheese
3 oz. parmesan cheese, grated
2 tblsp. butter
2 tblsp. (or more) milk
salt and pepper to taste
Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. I like mine a little more tender than al dente so I cook mine for at least 8 minutes. But you do whatever you like.
Meanwhile, grate the cheddar and parmesan and tear the American cheese into pieces to help it melt faster.
When the macaroni is cooked, drain it briefly in a colander and then return it to the pan.
Add the butter and the cheese, put the lid on and return the pan to the still warm burner (the burner should be turned off but will still be warm from cooking the macaroni). Let it sit for about 5 minutes or so until the cheese starts to melt a little.
Add the milk and stir until all the cheese and butter has melted. Add more milk if needed to get the consistency you want. Add salt and pepper to taste.
This is where I stop when I’m in a hurry for dinner and it’s really good just like this. However, if you want to take it a step further, you can place the mac and cheese in individual gratin dishes (or one big casserole dish for that matter), add bread crumbs on the top, dot all over with butter and place under the broiler until the butter has melted and the bread crumbs are toasted.
Enjoy!
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Yum. This looks fantastic. My two babies would love it!
Comfort food for summer. Sounds good to me. I’ll take a big serving of that. Looks at the cheesy goodness!!!
Big deal…
Love the simplicity of it. Sounds very flavoursome!
I have been looking for a receipe that does not require making a cheese sauce. This is great and looks soooo easy.
That looks fabulous. If you just don’t feel good, there is nothing like something with melted cheese to make you feel better. Thanks for an easy, quick method, that does not come out of a blue box.
Miss P
I found your blog over at Tasty Kitchen, and now my mouth is watering with all your tasty recipes…and your photos are beautiful too. By the way, my grandmother name is Bebop!
Thanks, Calamity! Well, around here I’m Nana and my husband is BeeBop. BeeBop came from our oldest grandson trying to say “Pop” which came out as “Bop”. Then one day we asked him, “what is Bop’s real name?” and he says, “BeeBop!!” It stuck. And now all the nieces call him Uncle BeeBop
This looks delicious i love cheese.. great blog!
Please pass the mac!
From Laura’s friend,
My honey would love this mac and cheese! I will sure try it. Thanks, Linda
Hi Linda! Thanks for visiting. This recipe is nothing fancy, but it is so quick and easy and good! You may like more milk and/or butter. Just keep adjusting until you get the creaminess that you want.
My two grandbabies love it. It’s quick and easy with no baking – keeps the kitchen cooler in the hot summer temps.
Thanks, Jenn. Who doesn’t like a bunch of cheesy anything?!?
You know, Dave, you’re right. It’s no big deal. But then everything I cook is not a big production requiring hours of time in the kitchen. The point of this recipe is that it’s something you can prepare quickly when you’re pushed for time to get dinner on the table. It’s also a method other than the traditional baked mac and cheese to keep the kitchen cooler when it’s so hot outside.
Thanks for stopping by and having a look anyway.
Thanks, ruth. That’s exactly what it is – simple and flavorful!
Well, I think it’s good anyway and the grandbabies love it. They actually prefer it to a baked mac and cheese.