It took me a long time to come around to microwave ovens. I think I was the last person on the planet to get one, after being urged to by my elderly father! Still, I don't cook in it. All I ever use it for is to heat up a plate of leftovers or melt a bit of butter.
But the other day I saw a stovetop mac and cheese for one recipe over at As the Bunny Hops, where Amy loves to share her easy recipes and kitchen hacks, and thought: Maybe I'll do a version of this in the microwave. I usually have a quick lunch on my own, so thought this would be perfect.
Of course, microwave ovens are all different, so your times might not be the same as those that I figured out for mine. If you work from home as I do, what sort of things do you usually have for lunch?
Microwave Mac and Cheese for One
(Makes 1 cup)
1/2 cup (2 ounces/57 grams) elbow macaroni
1/2 cup (4 fluid ounces/118 milliliters) water, room temperature
1/8 teaspoon salt
Pinch of coarsely ground black pepper
Pinch of cayenne
Pinch of dry mustard
1/2 tablespoon (0.25 ounce/7 grams) unsalted butter
1/4 packed cup (1 ounce/28 grams) shredded cheddar
1/4 packed cup (1 ounce/28 grams) shredded Monterey jack
1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces/59 milliliters) milk
1/2 teaspoon tapioca flour or cornstarch
Note: It is quite good even with just half this amount of cheese if you happen to be limiting your cheese intake. You can use all cheddar, if you like, but I think the addition of Monterey jack makes it creamier. And, at the same time, you can toast a few fresh breadcrumbs on the stovetop for a pretty topping.
1/2 cup (4 fluid ounces/118 milliliters) water, room temperature
1/8 teaspoon salt
Pinch of coarsely ground black pepper
Pinch of cayenne
Pinch of dry mustard
1/2 tablespoon (0.25 ounce/7 grams) unsalted butter
1/4 packed cup (1 ounce/28 grams) shredded cheddar
1/4 packed cup (1 ounce/28 grams) shredded Monterey jack
1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces/59 milliliters) milk
1/2 teaspoon tapioca flour or cornstarch
Note: It is quite good even with just half this amount of cheese if you happen to be limiting your cheese intake. You can use all cheddar, if you like, but I think the addition of Monterey jack makes it creamier. And, at the same time, you can toast a few fresh breadcrumbs on the stovetop for a pretty topping.
1 In 2-cup glass measure (I love my Pyrex glass measuring cups!), combine macaroni, water, salt, pepper, cayenne and butter. Microwave on full power for 6 minutes (your oven might differ), until most of liquid is absorbed and pasta is al dente.
2 Stir in the cheeses, milk and tapioca flour. Microwave on full power for 2 minutes (your oven might differ), until the cheese has melted and a smooth sauce has formed. Stir and serve on a small plate. Or just eat it out of the measuring cup; I won't tell!
Jean
Jean
I call my microwave “Chomper.” That’s ‘cause I use it mainly as a mastication machine to soften things up or “chew” them to the point where they can be swallowed or drunk. E.g. brick ice cream to malt texture. For me, texture has a lot to do with the eating experience. If I want to chew peanut brittle or handfuls of almonds, I might put them in the fridge to enhance that aspect. If I want soft or gummy, hello microwave!
ReplyDeleteOr you could call it the Great Masticator, Sully. Actually, we used it last night to soften a pint of ice cream for easier scooping. Forgot about that handy use for the microwave!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I think this recipe was made for me. I love Mac & Cheese but object to the multiple steps and dishes that the typical recipe creates. Can't wait to try this: thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pauline! You know how it is, when you're writing and need to eat something quick but good!
ReplyDeleteWho would have thought that you could make mac and cheese in microwave? This is a totally cool recipe, Jean.
ReplyDeleteLooks a good receive. I only use mine for a few things but wouldn't be without it.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Scot adores mac and cheese, I like it but don't eat it often... this would be a great way to make him homemade mac and cheese without a lot of waste; thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy go-to quick lunches are: apple slices with a bit of natural peanut butter, or a quick salad with some fruit.
Thanks, Angie. I just reduced it from my full-size mac and cheese recipe.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jacqueline. Your quick lunches sound good, too; wish I wasn't out of peanut butter at the moment. Now go make the Great Scot some Mac and Cheese for One! (I use a cup that holds twice as much as the finished product because the water boils up in the first step.)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much sweet Jean for another delightful recipe, it looks so tasty :) !!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to have found you, my dear new friend,
sending blessings and thankfulness
Dany
Dany, thank you. I would've made it again for lunch today, but I decided to have it for a "solo" dinner this evening instead!
ReplyDeleteAnd to change the taste a bit, throw in crumbled bacon...
ReplyDeleteYes! Crumbled bacon would be lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea, Jean! This would definitely come in handy when my son wants mac and cheese for lunch and I am desiring something else :) Thanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. I hop you had a nice 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteOh good, Stephanie, I hope he likes it! I actually had it for dinner this evening because I was cooking for one, then my husband came in later and said he wanted some too, so I washed the measuring cup ...
ReplyDeleteWell, my grands love Mac and cheese, Jean, and I'd love to try this for them, when one is wanting this and another wants something else! Heck, I'd love to try it for myself!!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a Happy 4th!
Thanks, Kitty! And it's good for the grands, made with real ingredients rather than a lot of chemicals.
ReplyDeleteWow I can't believe how simple that is!!! Awesome! And the pasta cooks through in that time too? What a brilliant idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea! I have never thought to make macaroni cheese in the microwave!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lucy! Yes, the macaroni cooks through that quickly. And I grate the cheese while the pasta is cooking, so it really only takes 8 minutes from start to finish! I hope you'll try it soon and let me know how it turned out for you. Like I said, microwave ovens vary, so you might have to adjust the times to suit yours.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicious idea for a wholesome meal for one! I've pinned and will tweet this post - thank you so much for sharing your Mac and Cheese for one recipe with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.
ReplyDeleteApril, I can't believe what a fabulous job you and Swathi do with the Hearth and Soul hop! Much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteJean, I love this one pot mac and cheese, I also like the various cheeses you added, I need to make sometime, when I am alone. Thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning, tweeting
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Swathi! I hope you'll like it as much as we do!
ReplyDeleteHi Jean. Tell sully I would like to meet him one day!! Anybody who calls their microwave ,"Chomper," and talks to it has got to be good company in a pub.Ha! Ha! He sounds a great character.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I hate microwaves. Avoid them like the plague BUT we do have one. My large family require its use!!! I do like your quick Macaroni Cheese.!!! It is one dishI make myself!!! You might think this anathema, but I tend to stick a spoonful of hot chilli powder in dishes like that. I also do a great bolognese sauce. and yes I stick some hot chilli in that too. You would love a local Iranian shop just down the road from me. They sell herbs and spices from the Middle East and all sorts of exotic cakes and lamb dishes. They make delicious paclavas and use vine leaves a lot.
Wow, I am so going to try this at work!
ReplyDeleteTony, I put just a pinch of cayenne in my macaroni cheese and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes in my bolognese, but not enough to really be "hot," just enough to add a bit of "whats-it." I'd like to be a fly on the wall if you and Sully ever got together; I wouldn't even try to enter into the conversation!
ReplyDeleteTandy, thank you. I think it would be perfect at work.
ReplyDeleteI think microwaves to a superior job in steaming fresh veggies. But like you I don't use it for a whole lot else. GREG
ReplyDeleteRight, Greg, I forgot about that!
ReplyDeleteHi Jean, Looks like a very good recipe! I've saved it to my Pinterest board. Whenver I make a white sauce, I do it in the microwave! That's how I start my mac 'n cheese!
ReplyDeleteWishing you well, Carol
Carol, thank you! I always start my usual "big" macaroni and cheese with a white sauce (on the stove), but this "little" one doesn't even need it. Maybe I'll try my next white sauce in the microwave
ReplyDeleteWell I'll have to admit, Jean, that this is not something I would ever have expected to see on your site, but what fun! I'll keep this recipe for emergencies... Or quick kid treats! :-) Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMy lunches are usually leftovers from the dinner the night before, all designed to give me about 20 g. protein and roughly 400 calories.
Too funny, Judy! But, yes, I like to shake things up once in a while! :-) Sounds like you've got a good lunch plan going.
ReplyDeleteI am another person who was slow to come around to the microwave! Still don't use it a ton, but certainly handy to have! This sounds like a yummy bit of cheezy goodness! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Jann, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI would be in heaven with this cup of Mac N Cheese! Thanks so much for sharing this awesome recipe with us at Full Plate Thursday!
ReplyDeleteCome Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Thank you, Miz Helen! I was just getting ready to make myself a cup!
ReplyDeleteI love this recipe Jean for one! I pinned and I'd love to try it sometime!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Julie, thank you. I just had it again today for lunch. I think I'm addicted!
ReplyDeleteThis is my kind of meal! When my husband is on business trips I tend to not want to cook at all, but hey, microwave I can do :)
ReplyDeleteSamantha, I know exactly what you mean! This is definitely something we can make for ourselves when the guys are out of town!
ReplyDeletegoing to try this - thanks!
ReplyDeleteSandy, let me know how you like it and whether you think it makes an adequate serving size.
ReplyDelete