Mug Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese for one, made in the mug you eat it from. The pasta cooks in only as much water as it can drink, so its starch stays in the mug and turns the cheese into a smooth sauce instead of a greasy clump. Under 15 minutes, start to spoon, even at 2am.
Quick facts
13 min(2 prep, 10 cook)
1 serving
- Vegetarian
Contains: Wheat, Milk
Get it all out
Tick things off as they hit the counter.
- ½ cup elbow macaroni
- ¾ cup water
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp butteroptional
- black pepper, to tasteoptional
Let 'em cook
Tap Done as you go. Each step lists what goes in.
- 1
Put the macaroni, water and salt in a large microwave-safe mug that holds at least 16 fl oz (2 cups) and stir. Set the mug on a microwave-safe plate to catch any water that bubbles over.
- ½ cup elbow macaroni
- ¾ cup water
- 1 pinch salt
- At the microwave
- 2
Microwave on high (700 to 900 watts) for 2 minutes. Put on an oven mitt, lift out the plate with the mug on it and stir, then put it back. Repeat three more times, 8 minutes in all.
- ½ cup elbow macaroni
- ¾ cup water
Timer: 2 min
- 3
Lift a piece of pasta out with a fork, let it cool for a few seconds and bite it. It's done when it's tender and most of the water is absorbed. If it's still firm, keep going in 1-minute bursts, lifting out the plate with the oven mitt and stirring between each one, until it's done. If the mug looks dry, stir in 2 tbsp more water before the next burst.
- ½ cup elbow macaroni
- ¾ cup water
- 4
Stir in the milk, cheddar and butter, if using. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. With the oven mitt, lift out the plate with the mug on it, then stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and coats the pasta.
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp butter
- 5
Let the mug sit for 1 minute so the sauce thickens. Stir once more and top with black pepper, if using.
- black pepper
Timer: 1 min