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Cozy couch meal number one is here: this mac and cheese for two recipe makes a small batch of macaroni and cheese. Perfectly portioned for cozy nights in, but very welcome as a side dish for kids any day of the week!
Itโs time to be honest: this is what I make for dinner at least one night a week. If Iโm feeling virtuous, I will roast some broccoli on a sheet pan as a side dish! But most often, itโs this creamy stove top mac and cheese for two and nothing elseโฆmaybe a can of sparkling water on the side.
If youโre the type of person that believes mac and cheese for two must be baked with a bread crumb topping, we can absolutely do that for you! After stirring everything together, divide the mac and cheese into two oven-safe dishes. Combine 1/2 cup of Panko bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons of melted butter, sprinkle on top, and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes at 375-degrees.
Ingredients
- Macaroni Noodles. One and a half cups of elbow macaroni noodles. You can use an alternate shape of pasta, but make sure itโs small so the cooking times are the same.
- Butter. One tablespoon of butter forms the base of the roux.
- Milk. The best milk to make mac and cheese for two with is whole milk, but 2% is okay, too. We need 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of milk for this recipe.
- Flour. One tablespoon of all-purpose flour for thickening our cheese sauce.
- Cheese. Total, you need 1 1/4 cups of shredded cheese for this recipe. My favorite is to mix 3/4 cup of shredded muenster cheese with 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Can I share a small plug for grating your own cheese? If you grate cheese fresh from a block, it melts more evenly and is more gooey and delicious! Pre-shredded cheese in the bag has a light coating on it to keep it separated in the bag, which can reduce the melting qualities. However, if youโre having a lazy day, use whatever type of shredded cheese you have!
- Salt and Pepper. A big pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper season the cheese sauce very well!
How to Make Mac and Cheese for Two
Cook the pasta according to the package directions; drain and set aside.
In the same pot you cooked the pasta in, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until a paste forms. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly.
Bring the sauce to a very gentle simmer, lower the heat, and then begin adding the cheese one handful at a time. Stir in the salt and pepper.
Finally, add the cooked pasta, stir and serve.
What to serve with a small batch of mac and cheese for two:
- A sheet of roasted vegetables.
- A bagged salad would be a great side dish.
- Iโve served this mac and cheese for two with my tuna patties many nights for a quick dinner.
- If youโre up for it, I love a good Brussels sprout slaw with a creamy cheese dish!
Mac and Cheese for Two
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons milk
- 3/4 cup Muenster cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil. When boiling, add a big pinch of salt, and then add the macaroni noodles. Cook according to package directions. Drain, and set aside.
- In the same pot (or a small skillet), melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour until dissolved, and a paste forms.
- Slowly whisk in all of the milk and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a very gentle simmer, and then lower the heat. Add a small handful of cheese at a time, whisking between each addition until the cheese melts.
- Add the cooked pasta, and stir to coat in the cheese sauce. Taste, and add more salt if needed and black pepper to taste.
Made this tonight with bacon crumbled in. Very yummy and made more than I was expecting! My husband, toddler, and I ate it for dinner with even a small portion left over for my toddlerโs lunch tomorrow! We also added an extra splash of milk because it was a little too thick for us which turned out nicely!