Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two is gooey, rich, creamy ultimate comfort food using just 6 ingredients. This dish makes two generous-sized main dish portions.

  • Why I love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Substitutions and Additions
  • Equipment used for this recipe
  • How to make Baked Macaroni and Cheese
  • Pro Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • You may also enjoy

Why I love this recipe

This is one of my favorite small batch recipes. I love the look and texture of Cavatappi pasta but any pasta works excellently in this classic mac.

Need something to go with it? Try this Raspberry Chocolate Freezer Cake or this Strawberry Cobbler.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (1)

As an Amazon Associate, I may make a small commission, at no additional cost, if you purchase through product affiliate links in this post.

Have you seen my Cookbook?

Easy Home Cooking For Two – by Zona Cooks features 60 main dish recipes giving you two months’ worth of simple homemade food that will impress any night of the week. NEW LOWER PRICE Check Cookbook Price

Ingredients

(amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)

dry pasta

unsalted butter

shredded cheese

heavy whipping cream (or whole milk)

egg

Velveeta cheese

Substitutions and Additions

You can use any pasta like elbow macaroni, or any of the different pasta shapes.

Use a mixture of your favorite melty cheeses like sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, white cheddar, American cheese, pepper jack, or any combination of cheese.

Try adding in a sprinkle of onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, or even cayenne pepper to this homemade baked macaroni.

If you like a crispy topping, add a sprinkle of bread crumbs, or crushed Ritz crackers, and parmesan cheese to the top before baking.

Equipment used for this recipe

How to make Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Step 1 – On a cutting board, dice the Velveeta into small cubes.

Step 2 –Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt. Add the uncooked pasta and cook for 8 – 10 minutes until al dente. Drain the water off the pasta and return it to the cooking pot.

Step 3 –Stir the butter into the pasta until melted.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (2)

Step 4 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 5 –In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy cream.

Step 6 –Add the heavy cream mixture, 1 cup of pre-shredded cheese, and the Velveeta pieces to the cooked pasta. Mix it all together and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (3)

Step 7 –Pour the creamy cheese sauce and pasta mixture, divided evenly, into two 18.6-ounce oven-safe baking dishes sprayed with non-stick cooking spray (or an 8×8). Sprinkle the tops with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (4)

Step 8 –Bake for 30 – 35 minutes until heated, golden brown, and bubbling around the edges.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (5)

Pro Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days.

Recipe FAQs

What 2 cheeses are best for mac and cheese?

The best cheeses for the ultimate mac are the ones that melt the easiest. I prefer a mixture of Cheddar Jack cheese and Velveeta cheese.

You may also enjoy

Bacon Gouda Mac and Cheese

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Shrimp Macaroni and Cheese

Chicken Zucchini Bake

Yield: Serves 2

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (6)

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two is gooey, rich, creamy ultimate comfort food using just 6 ingredients. This dish makes two generous-sized main dish portions.

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time30 minutes

Total Time45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces of dry pasta
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar Jack cheese
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream (or whole milk)
  • 1 egg
  • 4 ounces cubed Velveeta cheese
  • Optional - salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. On a cutting board, dice the Velveeta into small cubes.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt. Add the uncooked pasta and cook for 8 – 10 minutes until al dente. Drain the water off the pasta and return it to the cooking pot.
  3. Stir the butter into the pasta until melted.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy cream.
  6. Add the heavy cream mixture, 1 cup of pre-shredded cheese, and the Velveeta pieces to the cooked pasta. Mix it all together and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
  7. Pour the creamy cheese sauce and pasta mixture, divided evenly, into two 18.6 ounce oven-safe baking dishes sprayed with non-stick spray (or an 8x8). Sprinkle the tops with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.
  8. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes until heated, golden brown, and bubbling around the edges.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 - 4 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 1431Total Fat: 103gSaturated Fat: 62gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 401mgSodium: 1850mgCarbohydrates: 77gFiber: 3gSugar: 11gProtein: 50g

Nutrition information is a guideline only, is calculated automatically by third party software, and absolute accuracy is not guaranteed.

Did you like this recipe?

Please leave a comment on this post and pin this recipe on Pinterest.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (11)

Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I have a passion for recipes. I share recipes, tips, tricks, and resources to help you cook for two. Eat, drink, and enjoy!

Baked Macaroni and Cheese Web Story

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (2024)

FAQs

What are the best 2 cheese for mac and cheese? ›

For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes. Parmesan is also ideal for grating on top of mac and cheese before you bake it to add golden color.

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What does Gordon Ramsay put in his mac and cheese? ›

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

Milk: Keeps our cheese sauce super creamy. I use whole milk or reduced-fat milk. Mustard and spices: A combination of Dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt makes this macaroni and cheese extra delicious. Cheese: I use white cheddar and parmesan or pecorino cheese.

Whose mac and cheese is the best? ›

In the end, the classic macaroni and cheese brand took the crown. That's right, your standard box of Kraft is really the best boxed mac and cheese out there!

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste bland? ›

Bland almost always means things need more salt. A teaspoon or so of dijon mustard does wonders to mac & cheese. Edit: since this is the top comment, I will also add that dijon mustard is widely considered a pantry staple, so it's something that you should have in your fridge at all times.

What keeps mac and cheese moist? ›

There are a few different ways to keep your macaroni and cheese moist, from adding a solid layer of shredded cheese on top to holding back on the cream when making your sauce.

How do you make mac and cheese creamy again? ›

The #1 secret to creamy reheated mac and cheese

"Stir in about 2 Tbs. of milk per 1 cup of mac and cheese and reheat," he says. The milk loosens up the pasta and helps create the creamy sauce as it's reheating. Heavy cream works well in this case too and adds an extra touch of richness to the mac and cheese.

Why does my mac and cheese not taste good? ›

Not salting the pasta water

And great pasta begins with water that's been heavily salted. We're talking ocean water levels of salt. Not adding salt to your water leads to bland, tasteless noodles. This, in turn, leads to a finished product that is flavorless even after adding the cheese sauce.

What spices are good in mac and cheese? ›

Garlic powder allows you to add depth without the pungency of fresh garlic. Most importantly, it infuses a savory quality. Meanwhile, onion powder provides a sweet and savory undertone. Chili powder, cayenne pepper, or black pepper introduces subtle or pronounced heat.

What can I add to boxed mac and cheese to make it better? ›

How to Make Boxed Mac and Cheese Taste Better. To improve the tang and overall cheesiness of your boxed mac, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to the cooked and drained pasta while it's still warm. Toss to combine, then stir in the cheese powder until it's uniformly blended.

What makes mac n cheese so good? ›

Great mac n' cheese needs one or more cheeses that melt well, and one or more cheeses that bring the flavor. The best melters include monterey jack, fontina, baby swiss, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, and alpine-style.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arline Emard IV

Last Updated:

Views: 5643

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arline Emard IV

Birthday: 1996-07-10

Address: 8912 Hintz Shore, West Louie, AZ 69363-0747

Phone: +13454700762376

Job: Administration Technician

Hobby: Paintball, Horseback riding, Cycling, Running, Macrame, Playing musical instruments, Soapmaking

Introduction: My name is Arline Emard IV, I am a cheerful, gorgeous, colorful, joyous, excited, super, inquisitive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.