One Pan Single Serve Baked Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp butter (unsalted)
• 1 tsp all purpose flour
• 0.33 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.25 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese (shredded or grated)
• 3 tbsp heavy cream
• onion powder (to liking)
• salt (to liking)
• black pepper (to liking)
• 3 tbsp pasta water (reserved from boiling macaroni)
• 0.67 cup cooked macaroni (prepared according to box directions)
• extra cheese (for topping, to liking)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. 2

   Add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 teaspoon of all-purpose flour to a small baking dish (approximately 5.5 by 4.5 inches).

3. 3

   Bake the butter and flour for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture forms a light brown roux.

4. 4

   While the roux is cooking in the oven, boil your macaroni according to the box directions until tender. Reserve at least 3 tablespoons of the pasta water before draining.

5. 5

   Remove the baking dish from the oven. Add the shredded cheddar, pepper jack, Parmesan, heavy cream, and 3 tablespoons of pasta water to the roux.

6. 6

   Season the mixture with onion powder, salt, and pepper to your liking.

7. 7

   Mix well and return to the oven for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cheese has melted and all ingredients are well combined into a smooth sauce.

8. 8

   Remove the dish from the oven, add the 2/3 cup of cooked macaroni, and mix until the pasta is thoroughly coated in sauce.

9. 9

   Top with additional cheese to your liking.

10. 10

    Set your oven to broil and place the dish back inside for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.

11. 11

    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

The author recommends using Pepper Jack cheese for a better flavor profile and prefers the consistency to be on the 'cheesier/goopier' side. A Staub 5.5 x 4.5 inch baking dish was used in the original video.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• vegetarian
• baked
• single-serve
• comfort food
• mac and cheese
• thanksgiving