Best One Pot Cheese and Macaroni
Best One Pot Cheese and Macaroni cooks the pasta and sauce together for a rich, glossy finish. Seashells simmer with milk, sharp Cheddar, Parmesan, black pepper, and a touch of Dijon, delivering a deeply cheesy, pepper-kissed bite without draining or extra pans. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a cozy, kid-friendly crowd-pleaser.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook15 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Best One Pot Cheese and Macaroni, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 50 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 6 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 49 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 12
- Heart Health
- 27
- Metabolic
- 31
- Digestive
- 21
- Inflammatory
- 37
- Performance
- 32
- General Wellness
- 1
Pour water and salt into a medium pot and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- 2
Once the water is boiling, stir in the shell pasta and return to a boil.
- 3
Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the water has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the milk and keep boiling for another 5 minutes.
- 5
Add the Cheddar, Parmesan, pepper, and mustard; stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes thick and creamy.
- 6
The starch from the pasta thickens the sauce as the pasta cooks.
- Calories 761.36 kcal High 38%
- Protein 40.8 g Good Source 82%
- Carbohydrate 46.58 g 17%
- Total Fat 47.93 g High 61%
- Saturated Fat 26.44 g High 132%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 133.5 mg High 45%
- Sodium 1108.4 mg High 48%
- Dietary Fiber 3.94 g Moderate 14%
- Total Sugars 8.3 g --
- Added Sugars 5.05 g Moderate 10%
- Calcium 1183.18 mg Good Source 91%
- Iron 1.38 mg Low Source 8%
- Potassium 166.17 mg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin A 15.92 mcg Low Source 2%
- Vitamin C 0.0 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin D 1.35 mcg Low Source 7%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Mustard
About This Recipe
Best One Pot Cheese and Macaroni is made with 8 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 30 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Dijon Mustard, Salt, and Shell Pasta. Each serving provides about 761.36 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Best One Pot Cheese and Macaroni made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Dijon Mustard, Salt, Shell Pasta, Shredded Cheddar Cheese. The full list of 8 is above.
- How long does it take to make Best One Pot Cheese and Macaroni?
- About 30 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 761.36 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Best One Pot Cheese and Macaroni easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 8 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Best One Pot Cheese and Macaroni healthy?
- Best One Pot Cheese and Macaroni has an easyChef Pro health score of 35/100. Per serving, it provides 761.36 calories and 40.8 g of protein, or 82% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 1108.4 mg (48% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 26.44 g (132% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 5.05 g (10% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten and Mustard, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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