One Pot Mac and Cheese
Ditch the blue box and it’s endless ingredient list for this 20 minute, 9 ingredient REAL one pot mac and cheese. Your kids are going to love it and you don’t have to worry about feeding them ingredients you can’t pronounce!
Instructions
You’ll start by adding the uncooked noodles and cheese to a large pot.
Then add butter, half and half and vegetable stock.
Add garlic powder, onion powder and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Heat pot over medium high heat and bring to a simmer.
Simmer over medium to medium low heat for 10 minutes or until noodles are cooked al dente and the sauce is thick and creamy.
The combo of butter, half and half and veg stock is going to combine with the shredded cheddar to give you the creamiest, dreamiest mac and cheese you’ve ever tasted.
THAT’S RIGHT FOLKS. NO NEED TO BOIL THE NOODLES IN A SEPARATE POT!! This means one less dish for you to wash (actually two less if you use a strainer) – woohoo!
You’ll Love This
- Your kids are going to love it! I have yet to meet a child who has not instantly devoured this meal. And you’re going to love it too! Mac and cheese is one of those classic meals that will always remind you of your childhood AND your toddler is guaranteed to love it too!
- It cooks in one pot! Add all the ingredients to one pot, simmer away and dinner is done! I’m a HUGE fan of one pot pastas, but this one tops this list for easy prep and easy clean up!
- It’s got 9 REAL ingredients. The ingredient list is short and REAL. Real butter, half and half, cheese and noodles. No preservatives, no ingredients you can’t pronounce and nothing to feel bad about feeding your child. This mac and cheese is as good as it gets!
Pasta
- shells
- elbow macaroni
- cavatappi
- farfalle
- campanelle
- penne
- rotelle
- rotini
Basically, any short cut of pasta is going to work well for this dish. Save your spaghetti and fettuccine noodles for another time though!
Tips
- Depending on what brand of noodles you purchase, the cook time may vary slightly. I used these noodles and 10 minutes of simmering was perfect. If you find that your noodles are not quite done but your sauce is getting too thick, just add more half and half, veg stock or even milk.
- Be sure to stir the mac and cheese every few minutes or so. This will ensure that the noodles don’t get stuck to the bottom and that they cook evenly.
- Feel free to use other kinds of cheese! Mac and cheese isn’t just for kids and we make “adult versions” all the time. Try smoked gouda with crumbled bacon. Or freshly shredded Parmesan with steamed broccoli. Use this recipe as a blueprint and make it your own!
Try these easy pasta recipes next!
Did you love this recipe?
Please leave a 5-star rating and review below!
One Pot Mac and Cheese
Ditch the blue box and it’s endless ingredient list for this 20 minute, 9 ingredient REAL macaroni and cheese. Your kids are going to love it and you don’t have to worry about feeding them ingredients you can’t pronounce!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 16 oz. medium shells
- 8 oz. extra sharp cheddar, shredded
- 16 oz. half and half
- 32 oz. vegetable stock
- 1 teaspoon salt + more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large pot. Stir to combine and turn the heat to medium high.
- Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium or medium low and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir the mac and cheese frequently so that the noodles don’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
- You’ll know it’s done when the noodles are al dente and the sauce is thick and creamy.
Notes
Depending on what brand of noodles you purchase, the cook time may vary slightly. I used these noodles and 10 minutes of simmering was perfect. If you find that your noodles are not quite done but your sauce is getting too thick, just add more half and half, veg stock or even milk.
Be sure to stir the mac and cheese every few minutes or so. This will ensure that the noodles don’t get stuck to the bottom and that they cook evenly.
Feel free to use other kinds of cheese! Mac and cheese isn’t just for kids and we make “adult versions” all the time. Try smoked gouda with crumbled bacon. Or freshly shredded Parmesan with steamed broccoli. Use this recipe as a blueprint and make it your own!
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 324
- Sugar: 4.4 g
- Sodium: 641.9 mg
- Fat: 12.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 6.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40.3 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 12.4 g
- Cholesterol: 33.9 mg
This was outstanding!! I’ve been craving mac and cheese all month and trying different recipes. This is the best, easiest, and creamiest mac and cheese, absolutely perfect for all of us comfort food lovers. Used a Gruyere-Cheddar mix, which is what I had on hand, plus some Parmesan. I will not be searching for any other mac and cheese recipes this is the one! So glad I found your website and look forward to trying more of your recipes.
I am so glad to hear that, Margarita!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review – I really appreciate it 🙂
This is so creamy and delicious. I love that it’s so easy to make and the whole family loves it!
I am so glad to hear that, Kimmy! This is one of our family’s favorites too! Thanks for leaving a review – I really appreciate it 🙂
Being Vegan what can you substitute for half and half?
I would try coconut milk! I’ve had good success with that in pasta dishes. Perhaps add a touch more of the spices to counteract the coconut flavor, but I think that would work. Or try a vegan heavy cream or half and half if you can find one!
First try making this but it turned out ok. I have to use sodium-free chicken broth because of hubby’s heart issues but otherwise followed the recipe. Will make again.
Oh my goodness! Ridiculously easy and super tasty. Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Thank you so much Ashley! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it – this is one of our favorites!!
I love that this is made in one pot!! I need to try this ASAP 🙂
One pot dinners give me life during the week!! I look to cook and make messes on the weekend but during the week I need fast, simple and easy and this recipe checks all of those boxes! Thanks Sarah!!
Another quick and easy family favorite dinner from Midwest Foodie!
You got that right!!!