One-Pot Macaroni and Cheese with Crispy Tater Tots

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese baked with a crispy tater tot topping for added texture and indulgence. This American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, 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: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cook 8 oz elbow macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water for 6 minutes until just tender, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling and golden, stirring constantly.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 4-5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Add the cooked macaroni back into the cheese sauce and stir to combine evenly.
  6. Step 6: Pour the macaroni and cheese into a greased 9x9-inch baking dish. Arrange 12 oz frozen tater tots in an even layer over the top and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp paprika.
  7. Step 7: Bake for 25 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Related recipes