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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
Best One Pot Cheese and Macaroni
  1. 1

    Pour water and salt into a medium pot and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

  2. 2

    Once the water is boiling, stir in the shell pasta and return to a boil.

  3. 3

    Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the water has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stir in the milk and keep boiling for another 5 minutes.

  5. 5

    Add the Cheddar, Parmesan, pepper, and mustard; stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes thick and creamy.

  6. 6

    The starch from the pasta thickens the sauce as the pasta cooks.