How to Make Mac and Cheese in the Microwave

Homemade Easy Mac! Learning how to make Mac and Cheese in the microwave makes it easy to make your favorite treat at home. And you’ll know what’s in it.

OXO sent my free products to try for this post. I was not compensated to use them, or for my opinions.

It’s a little embarrassing how much Easy Mac I ate when I was in college. And when I say a little embarrassing, I mean a LOT embarrassing.”

I had (still have!) this big gigantic blue mug and that was my Easy Mac mug. Mac and cheese was a frequent late-night study snack in the dorm and we all know late night snacks (especially ones made out of pasta and cheese powder) aren’t good for your waistline. Hellllllo, freshman 15!

To commemorate my college days, I knew I had to make a DIY version of one of my favorite snacks in college.

All you need is pasta, water, a microwave safe bowl, milk, and sharp cheddar for this microwave macaroni and cheese recipe. You can’t take a shortcut and buy pre-grated cheese for this recipe. You’ll end up with one big blob of cheese that doesn’t coat the pasta at all.

Take it from me. I know.

Yes — it doesn’t look exactly like the blue box version. This is a good thing, my friends. High quality sharp white cheddar makes this a very tasty replacement to my blue box love (which I still love, mind you).

This is also a really easy quick lunch. With two toddlers, easy quick lunches are a very good thing. Pop it in the microwave while you slice some veggies and cut up some fruit and you have a well balanced meal for your cute little one. Or yourself.

I used this awesome Grate and Slice Set from OXO to prep this recipe. This slicer/grater makes grating cheese so easy. Plus it grates right into a  container for easy measuring. No more messy grating. 

I also used OXO’s pepper mill when I was seasoning this DIY Easy Mac. I’m completely smitten with these salt and pepper mills. First of all, they sit upright (turn them over to grind the salt and pepper) so you’re not left with little piles of salt and pepper everywhere you set these down. Secondly, they easily adjust to customize size of grind you want. See the little dots? You just adjust it to what you want. No more guessing games. Plus they look great sitting on my table.

So if you’re wondering what to eat for lunch today, wonder no more. Make this microwave macaroni and cheese recipe and you’ll have a happy belly.

Mac and cheese mania:

May I tempt you with more macaroni and cheese recipes? Here you go:

 

• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
• Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
• Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
• Easiest Ever Baked Mac and Cheese
• Green Chile Baked Mac and Cheese
• Macaroni and Cheese Pizza with Bacon and Green Onion
• Five Cheese Macaroni and Cheese from Nutmeg Nanny

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe

Get the Recipe: Copycat “Easy Mac” {microwave macaroni and cheese recipe}

3.88 from 8 votes

Prep Time: 2 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 12 mins

1 serving

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Homemade Easy Mac! Learning how to make Mac and Cheese in the microwave makes it easy to make your favorite treat at home. And you'll know what's in it.

Ingredients

• ▢ 1/3 cup macaroni
• ▢ 1/2 cup water
• ▢ 1/4 cup whole milk
• ▢ 1/2 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese (do NOT use pre-shredded)

Instructions

• In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the pasta and the water. Microwave on high for two minutes and then stir. Microwave for two more minutes, stir again. Microwave for 1-2 more minutes or until the water is absorbed and the pasta is cooked. Watch carefully so it does not burn.
• Add milk and cheese, stir to combine. Return to microwave and heat in one minute intervals, stirring well between each interval until macaroni and cheese is thickened and creamy.
• Eat immediately.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 348kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 67mg, Sodium: 431mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

Disclaimer: OXO sent my free products to try for this post. I was not compensated to use them, or for my opinions.

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