Instant Microwave Macaroni and Cheese is a total game changer ~ this easy recipe makes a single serving ultra creamy mug of cheesy macaroni in just minutes, right in the microwave! This is the ultimate dorm room meal or after school snack.
Instant microwave mac & cheese is the answer to mid day cravings!
I tend to get crazy hunger spikes in the middle of the day, and for some reason I have a block against buying anything remotely appropriate for lunch when I’m at the supermarket. I’m always stuck roaming around the kitchen hunting for something, anything, to deal with my intense mid-day munchies, so imagine my excitement at finding an instant rich and creamy macaroni and cheese… for one… in a mug… made right in the microwave!
Macaroni and cheese for one is perfect if you live alone (or just happen to be alone and hungry)
No leftovers to tempt you into eating too much, or to go to waste! We tested this a whole bunch of times, and came to the conclusion that this recipe works best. Kids can do it themselves after school. or in a dorm. If you like macaroni and cheese, you’re going to want to give this a try, trust me. It may take a few tries to get it right for your mug and your microwave, but it will be worth it.
What you’ll need to make microwave macaroni and cheese
This is quick and easy, but because we’re dealing with a recipe for one, and a microwave, it is fairly precise, so listen up carefully — you’ll need just a few simple things to get started —
- a large mug
- a liquid measuring cup
- a 1/3 cup dry measuring cup
- elbow noodles
- some pre-shredded cheese
- a little milk
- and water.
Once you’ve got the recipe down, you can experiment with variations
But for the first time I suggest trying it as written. I found that store-bought finely shredded cheese worked best, and made the creamiest sauce. I used a cheddar/Monterey Jack blend, but other blends will also work. I used whole milk. My mug had a 1 2/3 cup (400 ml) capacity. My microwave is a fairly standard 1000 watts.
How to make microwave macaroni and cheese ~
- Put 1/3 cup of elbow noodles into your mug. Add a scant 1/2 cup of water to it. Be sure to use a liquid measuring cup to measure your water. And by scant, I mean just shy of 1/2 cup.
- Basically you will microwave this mixture until the water has evaporated. In my microwave this takes about 4 minutes.
- Microwave it for 2 minutes to start, then stir. Then another minute, and stir again. Then a final minute, and the water should be absorbed. If not, microwave a bit more until it is.
- Stir in your milk and cheese, and microwave for a final 30-60 seconds. Stir very well to blend everything together into a creamy sauce, and enjoy.
This might just be the best kitchen hack ever!
The microwave is the unsung hero of quick and easy food, just check out my other microwave recipes!
- 5 Outrageously Delicious Things You Can Make in Your Microwave
- How to Dry Herbs in the Microwave
- Easy Microwave Potato Chips Recipe
- Easy Microwave Citrus Curd
What kind of cheese to use for microwave macaroni and cheese?
- We tried this many different ways, and found that the pre-packaged grated cheese made the creamiest sauce. I was stumped about that until I read the ingredients and saw that there is some starch added to prevent clumping in pre-shredded cheese. I think this may also help thicken the sauce. Not sure, just a guess.
- We tried grating our own cheeses and the sauce came out thinner. In that case I added a pinch (1/8 teaspoon) of cornstarch to the milk, and that seemed to help with thickening.
I have eaten SO much mac & cheese in the past few days of testing that I am totally sick of it, so now it’s your turn — Let me know in the comments is you try this, and what worked and didn’t work for you!
Tips for making microwave macaroni and cheese ~
- Use a big mug. Mine had a 1 2/3 cup (400 ml) capacity.
- My microwave is a fairly standard 1000 watts. If yours is different you’ll have to tweak the timing.
- Use elbow pasta, anything larger will not cook quickly enough.
- Whole milk seems to work best, although feel free to use cream or half and half for a decadent treat.
- Measure carefully and accurately according to the recipe directions. Use a liquid measuring cup for the liquid, and a dry measuring cup for the solids.
- Cook your noodles until all of the water has all been absorbed. Check carefully after the 4 minutes, and if there is still any water left in your mug, keep microwaving in short bursts until it is absorbed. Microwaves, like ovens, can be finicky.
- Set your mug on a small plate to catch any water overflow.
- Pre-packaged finely shredded cheese made the creamiest thickest sauce. If you are grating your own cheese, you might experiment with adding a pinch of cornstarch to the milk and cheese.
- Stir well after adding the cheese and microwaving for the final 30-60 seconds. The sauce will develop and get creamy as you stir. It will continue to thicken as it sits. You can reheat it briefly if you like.
- If despite doing everything right you still end up with a thin sauce, you may have had extra water left in your pasta after the initial cooking, Check it carefully because water = watery sauce.
- Once you’ve got the basic operation down, experiment to your heart’s content with different cheeses, etc.
Instant Mac & Cheese in a Mug
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup small macaroni elbow noodles, uncooked!
- a scant 1/2 cup water
- a scant 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup pre-packaged finely shredded cheese, we like a cheddar/jack blend
Instructions
- Put the macaroni and the water into a mug. Microwave on full power for 2 minutes. Stir. (Note: the water will boil over just a bit, that is fine)
- Microwave for another minute. Stir.
- Microwave for a fourth minute, and then check to see that all the water has been absorbed. If not, microwave a bit more, until it is gone.
- Stir in the milk and shredded cheese and microwave for a final 30-60 seconds. Stir well, and enjoy.
Going to try this and add butter and cheese powder from the bulk food store for more “orange” ?
In my opinion it was very tasty. How ever when I was making it I may have made it wrong, but my was very water I will be experimenting to make it perfect it was so easy and a lot cheaper then the craft Mac and cheese cups you buy at the grocery store.
Love this mug macaroni and cheese! I am looking to put together some quick easy and limited ingredient recipes to send to my niece who is away at college. I would love some ideas if you have any! Thanks!
Quite a few of my recipes are simple with limited ingredients Diann, you might check the 30 minute recipe section of my recipe index, just scroll down on the main recipe page and you’ll see it.
Thanks so much! Love this recipe. I also used it to make a Weight Watchers friendlier variation by using Brown Rice Pasta Shells (came out better with this method that other ways I’ve tried to cook them) and a Pepper Jack Laughing Cow wedge in place of the cheese. Added some Pico de Gallo salsa and a bit of ground turkey taco meat to make it taco mac. Making it again today!
Yummy, love it!
Love it
Omg thank you so much for this recipe it was amazing and my kids loved it! It was so easy and it’s our favorite macaroni and cheese. I’m usually not a fan of homemade stuff but this was AMAZING!! Its an amazing midnight snack! Thank you again!
Hi Sue – this sounds like a really useful recipe to have on hand. I’m gonna try it tomorrow, but may have to fiddle a bit with ingredient amounts etc, as we’re in Europe. Looks like a great basis for something I’ll use regularly. Thanks and can’t wait to explore the rest of your recipes!
Welcome in Barry!
what does ” a fourth minute” mean???
Minute #4 in the cooking process.
wish i knew the calories 🙁
Hi Sue – This was great! I used a 4 cup glass measure to cook this….so no boil over! Was surprised by how good it turned out 🙂 Thanks!
How many calories is in this?