Microwave Mug Mac and Cheese
How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.
A quick and simple mac and cheese made in a mug, perfect for kids to prepare themselves for a quick comforting snack or lunch. This kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 12 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, water, milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Prep: 2 min
Cook: 10 min
Serves 1
International cuisine
350 cal/serving
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Ingredients
- 1/3 cup elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/8 tsp salt
- a pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large microwave-safe mug, combine 1/3 cup elbow macaroni and 1/2 cup water. Microwave uncovered on high for 2 minutes, then stir carefully.
- Step 2: Continue microwaving in 2-minute increments, stirring after each, until the pasta is tender and water is mostly absorbed, approximately 6-8 minutes total.
- Step 3: Carefully add 1/4 cup milk, 1/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/8 tsp salt, and a pinch of black pepper to the mug.
- Step 4: Stir well and microwave for another 30-45 seconds until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. Stir again and serve warm.
