One Pot Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy, comforting macaroni and cheese comes together in one pot–no pre-boiling noodles necessary. This ultimate comfort dish gets a speedy and healthy make-over! 
Those of you who know my daughter know she loves cheese. Adores cheese. She claims to be a cheese-atarian, which according to her means she can live on cheese alone. On the rare occasion we eat out, she always checks to be sure that there is Mac and Cheese, Grilled Cheese, or Cheese Pizza on the menu. Honesty, the girl loves her fruit and veggies too, so I am okay with her passion for cheese.
It is quite a new thing for me that Macaroni and Cheese is considered a side dish. I never grew up eating it, except for a few occasions when my parents were scrambling for a quick meal. So when I moved to the south and Mac and Cheese was on every menu and served at every pot-luck, I was mystified. My daughter is delighted.
And in my quest to please my little girl and feed her wholesome meals, I have developed a fail-proof homemade mac and cheese. Seriously guys, this is EASIER than boxed Mac and Cheese–no draining pasta or orange powdered mixes.
You start with uncooked whole wheat pasta, veggie stock (or water), salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and butter. 
Once the pasta has absorbed about half of the stock and has become al dente, you stir in the milk, freshly grated nutmeg, and cheese. I use a mix of shredded Colby, swiss and parmesan, but any good melting varieties work here. 
After you stir in the cheese and milk, it is as simple as cooking on low until the milk is absorbed and the cheese is melted. 
One Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 ounces whole wheat elbow pasta
- 3 cups vegetable stock or water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cups milk I used skim, but any variety, even half and half will work
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg optional
- 2 cups shredded cheese I used 1 cup colby, 3/4 cup swiss, 1/4 cup Parmesan
Instructions
-
Bring pasta, stock, seasonings and butter to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until pasta has absorbed most of the stock and is very al dente--about 7 minutes.
-
Add in milk, nutmeg, and cheese and cook, stirring constantly, over low heat until pasta has absorbed milk and cheese has melted, about 5 minutes.
Such an easy meatless meal or a perfect hearty side dish for a holiday meal or pot-luck. 
And for more perfect Holiday Side Dish Recipes:
Fruity Side Dishes
- Cranberry Apple Relish by Recipes Food and Cooking
- Cranberry Fluff Salad by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Easy Cheesy Pineapple Bake by This is How I Cook
- Pecan Cranberry Jello Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
- Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Apples by Dizzy Busy and Hungry
Other Side Dishes
- Chestnut Stuffing by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Easy Mushroom Rice Pilaf by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
- One Pot Macaroni and Cheese by A Mind “Full” Mom
- Potato Dinner Rolls by The Redhead Baker
- Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing by Life Tastes Good
Potato Side Dishes
- Gingered Sweet Potatoes by Simple and Savory
- Marmalade Glazed Sweet Potatoes by Sunday Supper Movement
- Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes by Cookin’ Mimi
- Sour Cream and Onion Smashed Red Potatoes by Food Done Light
- Southern Praline Sweet Potato Casserole by The Weekend Gourmet
- Southwestern Potato Bake by The Freshman Cook
- Stacked Sweet Potatoes by My Imperfect Kitchen
- Sweet Potatoes with Cumin Sage Butter by Cooking Chat
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes by Mindy’s Cooking Obsession
Vegetable Side Dishes
- Acorn Squash and Brussel Sprout Side Dish by Caroline’s Cooking
- Bacon Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts by The Crumby Cupcake
- Braised Red Cabbage by Turnips 2 Tangerines
- Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese Bake by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Candied Acorn Squash by Cricket’s Confections
- Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Casserole by Food Lust People Love
- German Green Bean Salad (Bohnensalat) by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Homemade Green Bean Casserole by Family Around The Table
- Loaded Mashed Cauliflower Casserole by My Life Cookbook
- Miso Glazed Corn by NinjaBaker.com
- Pan Roasted Carrots with Apple Molasses by Palatable Pastime
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts and Cranberries by The Chef Next Door
- Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Walnut Pesto by The Hungry Goddess
- Roasted Onions with Parsley Pesto by Monica’s Table
- Roasted Parsnips with Balsamic Vinegar and Rosemary by Wholistic Woman
- Roasted Pumpkin with Rosemary and Thyme by Feeding Big
- Spicy Balsamic Roasted Vegetables by Pies and Plots
- Sweet Corn Pudding by Brunch-n-Bites
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Featured on Meal Plan Monday.
My daughter would pick this over turkey every single time! What an easy, crowd pleasing recipe!
Your daughter and mine must be very similar 🙂
Love the one-pot version!
Can’t get much easier!
Mac and cheese is always so popular. My daughter would love this on our Thanksgiving table!
As would mine 🙂
This is totally my kind of macaroni and cheese. I don’t like when it’s baked, just creamy gooey goodness for me.
I totally agree Laura!
Bravo for developing a recipe which is easier and more delicious than the boxed variety. Homemade is of course always tastier. Undoubtedly your daughter tastes the love =)
Thanks so much! I do think she tastes the love 🙂
I am a cheese lover too, can’t wait to try out this recipe.
You will love it Amy!
Kristen – why this is genius! My daughter would say that she’s like your daughter, a cheese-atarian too – and she would love this one pot version! And you know what, I am loving that you used whole grain pasta in this! Thanks so much for this recipe – Happy Monday to ya 🙂
You bet Shashi! This is a healthier, easier spin on Mac and Cheese for sure!
Can’t wait to try this, Kristen! Made the healthy hamburger helper on Friday–it was a huge hit!
Yea Amy!! That makes me so happy 🙂
This is going to be my recipe for the week! I have hope that even I can make this 🙂
Yes Gina–even YOU can make this 😉
Oh my gosh! This looks amazing and so easy! Definitely going to try it! We love us some Mac n Cheese at my house!
I hope you guys love this Angela <3
Love the nutmeg and Colby in this recipe Kristen, great dish. I can’t believe you don’t have to drain! What a huge plus. Now that I wear glasses, getting hit with steam when draining pasta is a real drag!!! Gotta try this great new recipe my friend.
This will be a live saver for you 🙂
looks so good. this has my name all over it
Grab a fork and dig in!
Homemade mac and cheese is the best! Your recipe looks so good!
Thanks!!
Yum! I’m with your daughter, which makes it harder to have a no cheese kid (my daughter).
Wow!! That is hard! You will have so sneak and make this for yourself 😉
Looks creamy and easy. Kids will love this.
Kid winner for sure!