Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese

Name: Creamy One Pot Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth; 1 pound elbow macaroni; 1 cup whole milk; 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; Salt and black pepper to taste

This is the ultimate comfort food meal that comes together in a single pot for easy cleanup.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 20, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

5 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

20 minutes

Serves

There is nothing quite like a big bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese to brighten up a busy weeknight. This recipe is a favorite in my house because you skip the extra dishes and end up with a rich, velvety sauce that tastes much better than the boxed versions.

My best tip for this recipe is to keep an eye on the heat once you stir in the cheese. You want the heat to be very low so the cheese melts beautifully without separating. It makes all the difference for that perfect texture.

🧺 Ingredients

4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 cup whole milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Pour the broth into a large pot and bring it to a boil over medium high heat.
2
Add the dry macaroni to the boiling broth and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
3
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the milk, butter, garlic powder, and onion powder until the butter is melted.
4
Add the shredded cheddar and parmesan cheese a handful at a time, stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
5
Season with salt and pepper to your liking and serve the pasta immediately while it is hot.

💡 Tips

Serve this with a side of steamed broccoli to add some color and crunch to your plate. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Add a tiny splash of milk when reheating to bring back that creamy consistency.

#comfort food #pasta #quick dinner #vegetarian #kid friendly

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