One Pot White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
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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.
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.
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.
What kitchen tools will I need to make this white cheddar macaroni?
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.
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!
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!
One Pot White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
A creamy and comforting one pot white cheddar mac and cheese
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
- Add macaroni, vegetable broth, water, and salt to a large pot and mix thoroughly
- Heat over high heat until the liquid boils – stirring occasionally
- 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 so it is good to check the noodles for doneness as you cook
- 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 and pour in the milk and shredded cheddar cheese
- Mix constantly until the cheese has melted completely
- Take the pot off the stove and serve! I served it with fresh cracked black pepper on top
MichelleK says
So good, I loved this! Really delicious.
★★★★★
Madeline says
Thank you, Michelle!
MichelleK says
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.
★★★★★
Ames says
So good!! So creamy and delicious!!! I can’t wait to make this dish on a chilly night this winter!
★★★★★
Madeline says
Thank you!! Yes perfect for a winter night!
Rachel says
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!
Madeline says
so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you!!
Tara says
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!”
★★★★★
Madeline says
Thank you!!! I need to try with different cheeses!
Katie says
This dish is so good!!! I love the creaminess and easy clean up. Great for kiddos too!
★★★★★
Madeline says
amazing! Thank you!!
Mary Kate says
Another great recipe! This has been perfect comfort food during cozy chilly nights- & it’s a crowd pleaser!
★★★★★
Madeline says
thats so great!! Thank you!!
Allison says
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?
★★★★★
Madeline says
Ah yay!! I am glad! The best part is you can use any kind of cheese you want.
Kate D. says
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!
★★★★★
Madeline says
wonderful!! Thank you so much!
Bethany says
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!
★★★★★
Madeline says
omg amazing!! love to hear that! thank you!
Steph says
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!
★★★★★
Madeline says
wonderful!! thank you so much!
sarah says
Sooo yummy and easy! My husband was very happy to have mac and cheese for dinner and it turned out great.
Madeline says
love that ! Thank yoU!
Lisa S. says
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!
★★★★★
Madeline says
amazing!! thank you!!!
Lo says
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!
★★★★★
Madeline says
WOW ! Thank you so much!!
Kate says
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.
★★★★★
Madeline says
Such a compliment!! thank you! such a smart idea to add the mixins
Aubrey says
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!
★★★★★
Madeline says
You’re the BEST thank you!!!
Debbie H says
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❣️
★★★★★
Madeline says
amazing! Thank you!
Julie says
This will be my new go to Mac and cheese recipe! So easy! So delicious!
★★★★★
Madeline says
yay!! so glad!
Andrea says
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!
★★★★★
Madeline says
wonderful!! thank you!!
Marissa says
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.
★★★★★
Emma F says
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.
Madeline says
awwww isn’t it wonderful when recipes take us back to a memory? Thank you fro sharing!!
Geena says
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 😂
★★★★★
Madeline says
incredible!! thank you!
Kim H says
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.
Madeline says
yum that sounds like a great combo! thanks!