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One Pot White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

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By: MadelinePosted: 08/21/2020Updated: 11/01/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Satisfy your cravings for comfort food with this super simple One Pot White Cheddar Mac and Cheese recipe. Just add all of your ingredients into one pot. No need to drain your pasta or prepare a sauce in a separate pan.

Three quarter view of one pot mac and cheese in a serving bowl

What makes this mac and cheese different?

You may be thinking, “but Madeline isn’t all mac and cheese one pot?” Well yes and no. This recipe is easier than most because there is no need to drain the pasta or mix a sauce together!

All of the ingredients cook together in the same pot! No need to remove or drain the noodles to prepare the sauce.

This will save you from have to wash some extra items like an extra pan and a colander. It might not be a big deal to you, but when time is tight this recipe is awesome.

Above view of one pot mac and cheese made with sharp white cheddar

What to serve with this white cheddar mac and Cheese

This quick and easy mac n cheese recipe is perfect as a side dish for a weeknight dinner. Serve it with any of the delicious proteins below. It is also a wonderful addition to any simple Thanksgiving dinner menu.

  • Air Fryer Flank Steak
  • Balsamic Grilled Chicken
  • Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
  • Air Fryer Fish Nuggets

What kitchen tools will I need to make this white cheddar macaroni?

  • One big pot
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Wooden mixing spoon
Close up three quarter view of white cheddar mac and cheese

What ingredients will I need to make this one pot mac and cheese?

I wanted this mac and cheese to have the same white cheddar taste as my grandmothers classic baked mac and cheese so I used an extra sharp white cheddar. I highly recommend doing the same so your mac and cheese has lots of flavor.

  • Macaroni noodles
  • Vegetable broth
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Milk
  • Shredded sharp white cheddar cheese

Ingredient substitutions

To make this creamy one pot mac and cheese I recommend using extra sharp white cheddar or unexpected cheddar from Trade Joe’s. If you are not a fan of cheddar, use a blend of shredded gruyere and Swiss cheese.

If you do not have vegetable broth, you can use chicken broth instead. Using some sort of broth or stock is essential to add flavor to this white cheddar mac and cheese.

Above view of white cheddar mac and cheese in a serving bowl with a wooden spoon

Let’s make a One Pot White Cheddar Mac and Cheese!

Step 1: Boil macaroni noodles

To begin, add macaroni, vegetable broth, water, and salt to a large pot and mix thoroughly. Then, heat over high heat until the liquid boils, stirring occasionally.

Then, once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot with a lid. Simmer for 6 minutes stirring occasionally.

After 6 minutes the pasta should be tender and almost completely cooked. Depending on the noodle size that you select, your pasta may cook faster or slower.

It is important to check the noodles for doneness as you cook. You are aiming for slightly al dente noodles.

Step 2: Mix in the milk and cheese

Then, once the noodles are cooked to the point of just slightly al dente, turn off the heat. Leave the pot on the stove with the heat off.

Next, pour in the milk and slowly add in the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix constantly until the cheese has melted completely.

Finally, take the pot off the stove and serve!

Step 4: Enjoy!

Season with some salt and pepper on top and serve! If you like spice you can top with crushed red pepper or some hot sauce!

Above view of creamy one pot mac and cheese serve with a wooden spoon

How long will this white cheddar mac keep in the fridge?

Once prepared, allow the macaroni to cool completely and then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat with a splash of milk on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Check out these other delicious side dish recipes

  • Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes
  • Green Beans Almondine
  • Maple Cinnamon Roasted Kabocha Squash
  • Crispy Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
  • Crab Mac and Cheese

You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!

Image for pinning One pot White Cheddar Mac and Cheese on Pinterest
Recipe

One Pot White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

★★★★★ 5 from 19 reviews

A creamy and comforting one pot white cheddar mac and cheese

Recipe By: Madeline
Prep: 10 minutesCook: 12 minutesTotal: 22 minutes
Print Pin it Rate recipe Save recipe
Servings: 8 Side Sized Servings 1x

Ingredients

  • 1 lb dry macaroni noodles – or basically any pasta
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese – I used extra sharp white cheddar

Instructions

  1. Add macaroni, vegetable broth, water, and salt to a large pot and mix thoroughly
  2. Heat over high heat until the liquid boils – stirring occasionally
  3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot with a lid
  4. Simmer for 6 minutes stirring occasionally
  5. After 6 minutes the pasta should be tender and almost completely cooked – depending on the noodle size that you select your pasta may cook faster or slower so it is good to check the noodles for doneness as you cook
  6. Once the noodles are cooked to the point of just slightly al dente, turn off the heat
  7. Leave the pot on the stove with the heat off and pour in the milk and shredded cheddar cheese
  8. Mix constantly until the cheese has melted completely
  9. Take the pot off the stove and serve! I served it with fresh cracked black pepper on top
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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About Madeline

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. MichelleK says

    Posted on 8/28 at 1:56 pm

    So good, I loved this! Really delicious.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 8/31 at 9:34 am

      Thank you, Michelle!

      Reply
      • MichelleK says

        Posted on 4/30 at 3:12 pm

        Would like to add that white I often find leftover mac and cheese disappointing, this one is delicious the next day. I may or may not have had it the next morning for breakfast a couple of times.

        ★★★★★

        Reply
  2. Ames says

    Posted on 9/11 at 11:47 pm

    So good!! So creamy and delicious!!! I can’t wait to make this dish on a chilly night this winter!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/12 at 5:41 pm

      Thank you!! Yes perfect for a winter night!

      Reply
  3. Rachel says

    Posted on 9/12 at 8:26 am

    This one pot Mac and cheese was awesome! It could definitely be made with your choice of cheese if you didn’t want to use white cheddar. In the past I’ve attempted to make one pot pasta dishes and found the liquid to not be enough. This was perfect, I think that adding the pasta to the water while it is coming to a boil helps the pasta be done in the time this recipe says. We will definitely enjoy this again!

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/12 at 5:40 pm

      so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you!!

      Reply
  4. Tara says

    Posted on 10/7 at 5:53 pm

    Once again your recipe is perfect and a “winner winner chicken dinner” for my family! I’ve made with just the white cheddar and also mixing cheddar with some monterey jack – you can’t go wrong! I love that it’s just one pot (less dishes!) and no draining pasta required! Even easier than that boxed “junk!”

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/8 at 3:12 pm

      Thank you!!! I need to try with different cheeses!

      Reply
  5. Katie says

    Posted on 10/8 at 3:41 pm

    This dish is so good!!! I love the creaminess and easy clean up. Great for kiddos too!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/8 at 8:52 pm

      amazing! Thank you!!

      Reply
  6. Mary Kate says

    Posted on 11/23 at 7:09 am

    Another great recipe! This has been perfect comfort food during cozy chilly nights- & it’s a crowd pleaser!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 11/25 at 10:36 am

      thats so great!! Thank you!!

      Reply
  7. Allison says

    Posted on 11/23 at 8:32 pm

    Just made this tonight and it was SOOOO good! Loved the convenience of having it done in one pot, and how it was so flavorful. I didn’t have a super sharp white cheddar, so it did need extra salt, but it was so easy to customize to my palette. Overall, it was easy to make with little clean-up – how can you ask for more?

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 11/25 at 10:35 am

      Ah yay!! I am glad! The best part is you can use any kind of cheese you want.

      Reply
  8. Kate D. says

    Posted on 12/3 at 12:17 pm

    This Mac and cheese recipe was absolutely delicious! It is super simple to make. I am so excited for my leftovers. Next up, your honey mustard recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/4 at 3:26 pm

      wonderful!! Thank you so much!

      Reply
  9. Bethany says

    Posted on 12/28 at 2:24 pm

    I made this for my very small Christmas dinner with just my parents and brother. It was so incredibly simple and so dang delicious! We were all so obsessed with it that they asked me to make it again the next night since we had all the ingredients on hand! So good! If you have kids this is WAY better than any boxed Mac and cheese and just as easy!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/28 at 9:56 pm

      omg amazing!! love to hear that! thank you!

      Reply
  10. Steph says

    Posted on 12/28 at 2:36 pm

    Made this for Thanksgiving for the first time and it was my whole family’s favorite dish!! Have made it several times since and it is so easy to make and delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/28 at 9:51 pm

      wonderful!! thank you so much!

      Reply
  11. sarah says

    Posted on 1/14 at 8:01 pm

    Sooo yummy and easy! My husband was very happy to have mac and cheese for dinner and it turned out great.

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/15 at 11:54 am

      love that ! Thank yoU!

      Reply
  12. Lisa S. says

    Posted on 2/4 at 5:08 pm

    This is amazing! I truly don’t think I’ll ever make a different Mac and cheese! Loved the convenience of the one pot, and eliminating draining the noodles!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 2/8 at 1:54 pm

      amazing!! thank you!!!

      Reply
  13. Lo says

    Posted on 3/14 at 7:09 pm

    Wow, this recipe is SO SO good and will be my go-to recipe for when a mac and cheese craving strikes. The sauce is perfectly creamy and delicious. As someone who typically uses jarred pasta sauces out of convenience, I was looking for a recipe that was easy. And I also wanted a recipe without butter, heavy cream, etc. because using full-fat cheese in my dinner helps me get sufficient dietary fat for my body’s needs. Madeline’s recipe fit the bill perfectly. It truly couldn’t have been easier to make. Excited to give other varieties of shredded cheese a try with this amazing recipe! Thanks Madeline!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 3/15 at 11:00 am

      WOW ! Thank you so much!!

      Reply
  14. Kate says

    Posted on 4/12 at 3:29 pm

    This was honestly so easy to make, no harder than Kraft but way more delicious and much more solid ingredients. It’s become a staple in our house! I sometimes add peas or broccoli and some chicken sausage to make it a full meal.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 4/13 at 9:44 am

      Such a compliment!! thank you! such a smart idea to add the mixins

      Reply
  15. Aubrey says

    Posted on 4/30 at 9:45 am

    This is one of my favorite recipes!! It comes together so quickly and let’s me use up bits and pieces from the cheese drawer, which is perfect because I always Seem to have little pieces of cheeses. It’s so creamy and the flavor is amazing. Kicks boxed Mac’s butt ANYDAY!! Make this!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 4/30 at 1:48 pm

      You’re the BEST thank you!!!

      Reply
  16. Debbie H says

    Posted on 5/20 at 1:03 pm

    This recipe is Awesome! One pot, limited ingredients, full of flavor, great taste!

    Had all ingredients, only milk on hand was coconut milk and it was delicious 😋

    Never using boxed Mac n cheese again!

    Thankyou❣️

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 6/1 at 10:47 am

      amazing! Thank you!

      Reply
  17. Julie says

    Posted on 6/30 at 2:55 pm

    This will be my new go to Mac and cheese recipe! So easy! So delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 7/1 at 9:01 am

      yay!! so glad!

      Reply
  18. Andrea says

    Posted on 8/30 at 10:30 am

    This was SO good, it turned out so perfectly creamy and delicious. The vegetable broth added a great flavour to the noodles. My two year old who has decided she hates most foods lately devoured this. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 8/30 at 8:02 pm

      wonderful!! thank you!!

      Reply
  19. Marissa says

    Posted on 12/4 at 11:53 am

    Another easy recipe from Madeline that makes food enjoyable. I definitely should’ve stirred more as the recipe said as my noodles stuck to the pan. Overall great recipe and customizable.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  20. Emma F says

    Posted on 3/11 at 12:42 pm

    So delicious! I made this last night seeking comfort food after a tough week, and as soon as I took a bite, I realized I’d made Mac and cheese that tasted much like my Great Aunt used to when I was little. While I don’t know if Aunt Arlene made hers exactly this way, it brought me back to a happy and comforting sense memory. So yummy, I can’t wait to make again.

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 3/13 at 4:11 pm

      awwww isn’t it wonderful when recipes take us back to a memory? Thank you fro sharing!!

      Reply
  21. Geena says

    Posted on 3/19 at 12:08 pm

    Making this once again as a BBQ side for St. Patrick’s Day! Always a hit, never misses and so easy I don’t have to think about it 😂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 3/21 at 10:28 am

      incredible!! thank you!

      Reply
  22. Kim H says

    Posted on 6/30 at 2:53 pm

    Loved this and it was sooo easy! I didn’t have vegetable broth so I used chicken and I used a combo of gruyere and cheddar cheese. I could have eaten the whole pot myself.

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 7/6 at 3:28 pm

      yum that sounds like a great combo! thanks!

      Reply

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