Craving creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese but cooking for one? Forget the leftovers and endless bowls! This Single Serve Mac And Cheese recipe is your answer to a quick, satisfying, and perfectly portioned comfort meal. Imagine rich, homemade mac and cheese, ready in minutes, with minimal cleanup. This isn’t just mac and cheese; it’s your mac and cheese, tailored for those moments when only a cheesy pasta hug will do.
A grey bowl of single serving macaroni and cheese on a wood board next to a beige linen and grey bowl of breadcrumbs on a white counter.
Let’s be real, sometimes the craving for mac and cheese hits hard, and making a full family-sized casserole is just not practical. Whether it’s a cozy night in, a late-night craving, or a simple lunch for yourself, this recipe is designed for those single-serving moments. Forget the boxed stuff – with just a few pantry staples and about 15 minutes, you can create a from-scratch mac and cheese that’s far superior in taste and satisfaction.
Think of those days when you need a little extra comfort – a pick-me-up after a long day, a treat during a movie night, or simply when you deserve a delicious, effortless meal. This single serve mac and cheese is more than just a recipe; it’s a culinary hug in a bowl. It’s incredibly easy, uses just one pot (less dishes!), and is endlessly customizable to your cheese and spice preferences.
Why This Single Serve Mac and Cheese Recipe Works
This isn’t just another recipe; it’s a tried-and-true method for creating the perfect single portion of mac and cheese, inspired by culinary school techniques and tailored for the home cook. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Perfectly Portioned for One: No more leftovers going to waste. This recipe is designed for a single, satisfying serving.
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in one saucepan, minimizing dishes and cleanup – a dream for solo cooking.
- Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You likely have everything you need already in your kitchen – pasta, butter, flour, milk, cheese, and spices.
- Quick & Easy: From start to finish, you’re looking at about 15 minutes. Perfect for those moments when time is short but cravings are strong.
- From-Scratch Goodness: Say goodbye to powdered cheese packets! This recipe uses real cheese for a rich, authentic flavor that boxed mac and cheese simply can’t match.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the cheese, spices, and add-ins to create your perfect bowl every time.
Simple Ingredients for Maximum Flavor
The beauty of this single serve mac and cheese lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pasta: Small pasta shapes with ridges and grooves are ideal for capturing that luscious cheese sauce. Think elbow macaroni, shells, cavatappi, or rotini. About ½ cup is perfect for a single serving.
- Unsalted Butter: Butter is the foundation of our creamy sauce, adding richness and flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the thickening agent that, when combined with butter, creates a roux – the base for a smooth, non-grainy cheese sauce.
- Spices: A simple blend of garlic powder, paprika, and ground mustard provides a classic mac and cheese flavor profile. Feel free to experiment with your favorites!
- Milk: Whole milk will give you the richest, creamiest result, but any milk (2%, skim, or even non-dairy alternatives) will work.
- Cheese: This is where the magic happens! A combination of sharp cheddar for meltiness and Parmesan for a savory, umami punch is highly recommended. However, feel free to use your favorite melting cheeses. Always use freshly grated cheese for the best texture and flavor.
Let’s Make Single Serve Mac and Cheese: Step-by-Step
Making this single serve mac and cheese is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for cheesy perfection:
Six steps to making mac and cheese; in photo 1, a wood spoon is holding cooked pasta over a pot. In photo 2, a hand is whisking roux. In photo 3, a hand is pouring milk into the roux. In photo 4, a hand is whisking bechamel sauce. In photo 5, a hand is pouring cheese into the pot. In photo 6, a hand is mixing pasta into the cheese sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking your pasta in salted boiling water until it’s al dente – tender but with a slight bite. Drain the pasta and return the pot to the stovetop.
- Make the Roux: Melt butter in the same pot over medium heat. Add flour and spices (garlic powder, paprika, mustard powder) and whisk constantly until a smooth paste forms – this is your roux. Cook for about a minute, stirring continuously, to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Create the Bechamel: Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue whisking and cooking until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon – this is now a bechamel sauce, the creamy base for your cheese sauce.
- Melt in the Cheese: Remove the saucepan from the heat. This is crucial to prevent grainy cheese sauce! Add your freshly grated cheese (cheddar and Parmesan recommended) to the warm sauce.
- Stir Until Smooth: Whisk vigorously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth, creamy, and utterly irresistible.
- Combine and Enjoy: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until every piece of pasta is coated in cheesy goodness. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy your perfectly portioned, homemade single serve mac and cheese straight from the pot! Dishes can wait.
Elevate Your Single Serve Mac and Cheese: Delicious Add-ins
Want to take your single serve mac and cheese to the next level? Get creative with add-ins! This is a fantastic way to use up leftovers and customize your meal:
- Protein Boost: Stir in cooked bacon bits, diced ham, shredded chicken, crumbled sausage, or even ground beef for a heartier meal.
- Veggie Power: Add some nutrition and flavor with steamed broccoli florets, sautéed onions, peas, chopped jalapeños for a kick, or roasted vegetables.
- Saucy Twists: A dash of hot sauce like Sriracha adds heat, or a spoonful of pesto (basil or sun-dried tomato) brings a fresh, herbaceous note.
- Crunchy Toppings: For added texture, sprinkle breadcrumbs (plain or panko) on top and broil for a minute or two until golden brown. Crispy fried onions are another fantastic topping for extra flavor and crunch.
Tips for Mac and Cheese Perfection
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente pasta is key to preventing mushy mac and cheese. It should have a slight firmness when bitten.
- Freshly Grate Your Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose, which can prevent it from melting smoothly and result in a grainy sauce. Freshly grated cheese melts beautifully and tastes much better.
- Low and Slow Cheese Melting: Removing the pan from the heat before adding the cheese is crucial. High heat can cause the cheese to curdle and become grainy.
- Seasoning is Key: Taste your cheese sauce before adding the pasta and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like. Cheese saltiness varies, so seasoning to taste is important.
- Make it a Baked Mac and Cheese (Single Serve Style): For an extra indulgent treat, transfer your mac and cheese to a small, oven-safe dish, top with extra cheese and breadcrumbs, and broil until bubbly and golden brown.
- Double for Two: Easily double or triple this recipe to serve more people. It’s a quick and crowd-pleasing meal for any occasion.
Cheese Selection: Your Mac and Cheese, Your Way
While cheddar and Parmesan are a classic and highly recommended combination, feel free to experiment with different cheeses to create your signature single serve mac and cheese:
- Cheddar: The quintessential mac and cheese cheese. Sharp cheddar provides that classic cheesy flavor and melts beautifully.
- Parmesan: Adds a salty, savory, and umami depth that elevates the overall flavor profile.
- Gruyère: A sophisticated choice, Gruyère melts wonderfully and offers a nutty, slightly sweet flavor.
- Gouda: For an ultra-creamy mac and cheese, Gouda is your go-to. Smoked Gouda adds an extra layer of smoky richness.
- Fontina: Another excellent melting cheese with a buttery, nutty flavor that works wonderfully in mac and cheese.
- Monterey Jack: A mild and creamy cheese that melts beautifully, perfect for a milder mac and cheese.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match cheeses to create your perfect flavor combination! Just remember to use cheeses that melt well for the best texture.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Mac and Cheese (If You Have Any!)
While this recipe is designed for a single serving, if you happen to have leftovers, here’s how to store and reheat them:
- Storage: Transfer leftover mac and cheese to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. For extra creaminess, add a splash of milk before reheating to prevent it from drying out. You can also reheat it in a saucepan over low heat with a little milk or cream.
A grey bowl of single serving mac and cheese on a wood board next to a glass of white wine and beige linen on a white table.
This single serve mac and cheese recipe is your go-to for quick comfort food, perfectly portioned and endlessly customizable. So, the next time that mac and cheese craving strikes, skip the box and whip up this easy, delicious homemade version. You deserve it!
Single Serving Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Yield: 1 serving
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- ½ cup pasta (elbow macaroni, shells, cavatappi, rotini)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ cup whole milk (or milk of choice)
- ½ cup freshly grated cheese (sharp cheddar, Parmesan, or your favorite melting cheese)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional add-ins: cooked bacon, broccoli, breadcrumbs, hot sauce, etc.
Equipment:
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Cheese grater
Instructions
- Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta and return the pot to the stove.
- Melt butter in the saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, garlic powder, paprika, and ground mustard. Whisk constantly to create a smooth roux, about 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk, ensuring no lumps form. Continue whisking and cook until the sauce slightly thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Add grated cheese and whisk until melted and smooth.
- Stir in cooked pasta, coating it evenly in the cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, straight from the pot, with your favorite toppings if desired. For baked mac and cheese, transfer to an oven-safe dish, top with extra cheese and breadcrumbs, and broil until golden brown.
Recipe Notes:
- Cheese: Always use freshly grated cheese for the best melting and flavor. A combination of sharp cheddar and Parmesan is recommended.
- Spices: Feel free to adjust spices to your liking. Onion powder, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika are also great additions.
- Milk: Whole milk creates the creamiest sauce, but any milk will work.
- Double it: Easily double or triple the recipe for more servings.
- Add-ins: Get creative with your favorite mix-ins to customize your mac and cheese.
Enjoy your delicious and easy single serve mac and cheese!
