Description
Enjoy a creamy and comforting One Pot Mac and Cheese that comes together in just 15 minutes. This recipe pairs well with Easy Creamy Garlic Shrimp 15 Minutes and Garlic Parmesan Shrimp in Cream Sauce for a delicious dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights with juicy cheesy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 24 (76g) Ritz crackers crushed about 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
- Pinch cayenne optional
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 ounces cream cheese cubed and at room temperature
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated about 2 packed cups
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese freshly grated about 1 packed cup
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a 10 inch Dutch oven or a heavy deep pot over medium heat then add crushed crackers with black pepper and kosher salt and stir to coat. Toast the mixture stirring frequently until golden brown then transfer crumbs to a plate and clean the pot.
- Melt butter in the same pot over medium heat and add ground mustard, pepper, and cayenne if using. Stir to combine and lightly toast for 15 to 30 seconds without browning.
- Pour in water, half and half, and kosher salt, stir well and bring to a boil uncovered over high heat.
- Stir in elbow macaroni and keep at rolling boil adjusting heat as needed, cook uncovered stirring every minute until pasta is tender and liquid is mostly reduced about 6 to 9 minutes then remove pot from heat.
- Add cream cheese and stir until nearly melted, then add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and stir until all cheese is melted and saucy.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper then serve immediately topped with the toasted cracker crumbs if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dinners
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 to 8 servings
- Calories: 396
- Fat: 27g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 16g