Easy Homemade Mac 'n' Cheese
Introduction: Easy Homemade Mac 'n' Cheese
Today I am going to show you how to make easy mac n cheese on your stovetop. You control the ingredients, so you are not guessing what that word on the boxed macaroni means! You can tailor these instructions to feed however many people you need.
Supplies
1. Noodles! Use whatever you like; I prefer shell noodles to elbow, but you can use whatever: elbow, shell, bow tie, rotinni, etc.
2. Cheese; I use finely shredded because it melts better.
3. Milk; I use whole and you only need a few tablespoons for a single serving.
4. Butter; I prefer salted, but unsalted is fine. You will only need 1 to 2 tablespoons.
5. A pan to cook in. The size will depend on how much you are cooking.
6. A big spoon; mine is metal and I forgot to take its picture!
7. A strainer or colander (I forgot to take their photos, too :( .You can also use a lid held tight against the pan as you slowly, CAREFULLY tip the pan on its side.
Let's get started!
Step 1: Boil the Water
I prefer to start with already hot water for boiling because it is faster. For this I use the coffee pot.
Using a container (pitcher, cup, coffee pot, whatever), fill it with water from the tap. Pour the water into the coffee pot just like when you are making coffee. Remove the coffee filters/coffee filter holder so that the water will run straight out of the maker and into your container.
P.S: take the little plug piece out of the bottom. If you leave it in it will make water go everywhere.
Place your container under where the water comes out. WARNING: DO NOT LET THE PLASTIC TOUCH THE WARMER ON THE COFFEE MAKER. 456
IT WILL MELT! If your container will not straddle the warmer, put on oven mitts and hold the container while the water fills it.
Flip the lid down and let the water run out of the coffee maker and into your container. It will be HOT.
Pour the water into your pan on the stove. I am making a single serving, so I used about 2 cups of water because I will use 1 cup noodles, so you are probably safe to go with a 2:1 water to noodles ratio for however many servings you're making.
I turned the heat on my stove to a medium low, and that will need adjusted depending on how your stove heats. Know thy stove!
To help it boil faster, I add a sprinkle of salt. Then I wait until the water comes to a rolling boil.
Step 2: Add Noodles
I measured out 1 cup shell noodles and poured them in the boiling water. Then I set a timer for five minutes. This will make noodles that are "just right" in my opinion, not al dente, but not floppy.
P.S: your pasta box will probably tell you how long to boil to get the firmness you want.
Step 3: Add Cheese
This is where things get crazy.
When the timer goes off, drain the noodles using a strainer, colander, whatever (see supplies list). Keep the noodles out of the pan they cooked in.
Add about 1 tablespoon butter to the hot, empty pan.
Put the noodles back in the pan, then add the cheese. I used about 4 oz. of shredded cheese, or half the bag. I love cheese.
Stir with a spoon. I turn the burner on low to help the cheese melt, but be careful! Cheese burns quickly!
Add about 3 tablespoons of milk, stirring after the addition. You can add more depending on how thick or runny you want the sauce on the mac n cheese.
At this point, you can add salt or pepper, or whatever to taste. When serving others I let them season it themselves; it's safer that way!
Spoon the mac n cheese onto plates or into bowls.
Step 4:
Enjoy!
There are many ways to customize mac n cheese, contrary to popular opinion.
Switch up the cheese! If you love mozzerella or havarati, try that!
Try adding meat. Hamburger helper has a box that is just ground beef and mac n cheese. Add ground beef, bacon (personal favorite), ham, canadian bacon, whatever! You can add veggies as well.
Remember, mac n cheese is just like alfredo or other cheese and pasta dishes. Don't let boxed foods give it a bad rap! 456