Homemade Mac and Cheese for One

It’s just as easy to make homemade mac and cheese for one from scratch, and tastes immensely better. Simple ingredients and creamy homemade cheese sauce is the ultimate comfort food for one. I purposely made this simple so each person can add their own favorite ingredients, mine are tomatoes and meatballs!

More single-serving recipes include these wonderful single-serving garlic noodles and a filling tortellini salad for one. More easy dinner recipes for one.

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Quick Facts – Mac and Cheese

Prep

5 minutes

Cook

15 Minutes

Serves

1

Cost Estimate

$1.29

This recipe is part of my Cooking for One collection , easy meals designed for solo cooking.

Ingredients You need

Cheese: You can mix different cheese combinations to get the perfect flavor. Don;t use already shredded cheese because it usually has an anti-caking additive that can make the cheese a little harder to melt. Generally not a big problem, but something to keep in mind if you are making from scratch because you don;t want any extras in your mac and cheese.

Pasta: Elbow macaroni is the standard, but any pasta like shells, penne, etc. will work nicely. You want pasta with a good surface area so the cheese clings onto the pasta.

Add-Ins

• My favorite: Chop up little tomatoes and ad a few small meatballs for a very hearty comfort food meal.
• Add some fresh basil for a light refreshing flavor.
• Another classic is add in some broccoli florets.

Step by Step Process Photos

You make the roux (flour, butter, seasoning), add the milk to make the sauce, stir in the cheese and add the cooked macaroni.

Mac and Cheese for One

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This small-batch mac and cheese is rich, creamy, and ready fast with simple pantry staples. It makes just enough for one—no waste, no leftovers. Perfect for a quick lunch or a cozy weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 1.5 cups

Recipe Cost: $1.29

Calories: 671

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• ½ cup dry elbow pasta
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• pinch paprika
• pinch salt
• pinch pepper
• ⅓ cup whole milk
• ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded

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Recipe Directions

 

1. Start by boiling water for the pasta and cook the pasta al dente per package instructions, drain and set aside, covered with a lid.
2. While the pasta is cooking, make the cheese sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add the flour and spices to start a tiny roux.
3. Once the roux mixture is combined well, add the milk a little at a time, to keep the mixture thick. Then when you’re done adding the milk and the mixture is still thick, stir in the cheese until creamy.
4. Pour the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and stir until all of the pasta is covered.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 671kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 26gFat: 34gSodium: 407mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days if not eating right away.

 

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Cost Estimate: Single-Serving Mac and Cheese

Notes

• Prices are typical U.S. store-brand estimates; your local costs may vary.