Sunday, October 11, 2020

Easy Mac & Cheese for One

I always wanted to try Smitten Kitchen's easy essential stovetop mac'n'cheese, and tonight I did. I'm happy to confirm that it was indeed easy and delicious and that my daughter loved it. I accidentally used too much milk (1 cup instead of 1/2), but it just made for extra sauce. I also didn't have parmesan or pecorino cheese, so I just used grated cheese from Trader Joe's. My daughter didn't mind. Would be happy to double the ingredients and make this a cozy TV dinner (Downton Abbey!) for two.

For what it is, a quick comfort food fix, 8/10.


Here's the recipe:


  • Kosher salt
  • 4 ounces (115 grams) dried pasta, such as macaroni or another small twisty shape
  • 2 teaspoons (10 grams) salted or unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons (6 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) low-fat or whole milk 
  • Many grinds of black pepper
  • 1/2 cup (1 ounce or 30 grams) finely grated parmesan or pecorino cheese

Bring a small-to-medium pot of very well-salted water to a boil and add your dried pasta. Cook it until firm tender, then drain. 

Return pot to stove and melt butter in the bottom. Using a spoon or whisk, add flour and mix until it disappears. 

Add milk, a tiny splash at a time [I got this wrong, but it didn't mater), stirring constantly so no lumps form. Season with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and many grinds of black pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer. Cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes. 

Remove from heat and stir in grated cheese until combined. 

Add drained pasta, stir to evenly coat. 

No comments:

Post a Comment