• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bren Did
  • Green Cleaning
  • Bath & Body
  • Easy Crafts
  • Tasty Recipes
  • Free Printables
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Green Cleaning
  • Bath & Body
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Free Printables
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Lunch » Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese for One

    Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese for One

    Published: Jul 24, 2015 · Modified: Feb 24, 2019 by Bren

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Easy homemade mac and cheese for one is an easy microwave recipe that can be made in just minutes with no preservatives or artificial colors. Cooking your favorite “junk” food means you can make it healthier for you! 

    Homemade Mac and Cheese

    Making Better Choices

    Healthy eating doesn’t mean having the perfect diet, it means consistently making better choices.

    One way I make better food choices for our family is by eliminating additives such as preservatives, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, excess sodium, and more.

    Homemade Meals

    From scratch cooking is an easy way to eliminate food additives. By “from scratch” I mean preparing recipes with basic healthy ingredients such as butter, milk and flour.

    Michael Pollan, the author of several bestselling books about food including Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation, suggests that we take back control of our food from corporations by making our own food from scratch.

    By cooking your favorite “junk” foods you can instantly make them healthier than purchased junk food!

    Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese for One: all-natural recipes using simple ingredients to make simple healthy macaroni and cheese for one.

    Mac and Cheese Problems

    A junk food my kiddos love is macaroni and cheese. Heck, who doesn’t love noodles and cheese?

    Unfortunately, those pretty cups of quick macaroni and cheese in your store aisle contain a CRAZY number of additives. Yuck!

    Another concern is the flimsy plastic bowls used to store, prepare, and serve microwave macaroni and cheese. Plastics can leach into food when they are heated in the microwave.

     

    Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese for One served with vegetables

    From Scratch Cooking

    Luckily it is SOOOOOO easy to make your own all-natural homemade mac and cheese with a few simple, healthy ingredients. You probably have many of the ingredients in your kitchen right now. You need:

    • elbow macaroni noodles
    • cheese
    • milk
    • cornstarch or arrowroot powder (optional)
    • salt (optional).

    What’s NOT in this easy mac and cheese recipe….

    Whey, maltodextrin, milk, corn syrup solids, palm oil, modified food starch, milkfat, salt, milk protein concentrate, contains less than 2% of sodium tripolyphosphate, medium chain triglycerides, dried buttermilk, sodium phosphate, citric acid, cream, high acid whey, lactic acid, calcium phosphate, guar gum, cheese culture, yellow 5, yellow 6, autolyzed yeast, torula yeast, enzymes, dried yeast, natural flavor); modified food starch, maltodextrin, potassium chloride, acetylated monoglycerides, salt, medium chain triglycerides, apocarotenal (color). 

    Wow, that a lot of unnecessary additives (found in boxed mac and cheese) eliminated!

    Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese with japapenos

    Custom Flavors

    This recipe can be adjusted for each diner. Try substituting different cheeses to make your own custom mac and cheese flavors.

    • Our favorites is spicy mac and cheese; use pepper jack cheese and top it with a few pickled jalapeno slices. Yum!
    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese for One served with vegetables

    Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese for One

    ★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
    • Author: Bren
    • Prep Time: 2 minutes
    • Cook Time: 6 minutes
    • Total Time: 8 minutes
    • Yield: 1 1x
    • Category: Lunch
    • Method: Microwave
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese for One: all-natural recipes using simple ingredients to make simple healthy macaroni and cheese for one.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1/2 cup elbow macaroni noodles (whole wheat or white)
    • 2/3 cup water
    • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
    • 1/4 cup Milk (skim, whole or 2%)
    • 1 tsp Cornstarch (optional)
    • Salt and Pepper (to taste) (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Place the noodles and water in a microwave-safe bowl or mug. Add a pinch of salt (if using) and stir.
    2. Microwave for 4-6 minutes. Check after 4 minutes to stir and see if you need to add a few more tablespoons of water. Your noodles should have a bit of water in the bottom when al dente.
    3. Mix cornstarch or arrowroot powder into the cold milk. The cornstarch or arrowroot powder will make your cheese sauce thick and creamy.
    4. Stir the milk mixture into your noodles.
    5. Add the cheese and stir.
    6. Microwave the mac and cheese for 30 seconds then stir until creamy. You may need to microwave for an extra 30 seconds if the cheese is not fully melted once stirring.
    7. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!


    Nutrition

    • Calories: 238
    • Sugar: 4.7 g
    • Sodium: 133 mg
    • Fat: 3.8 g
    • Carbohydrates: 38.8 g
    • Protein: 11.3 g
    • Cholesterol: 10.6 mg

    Keywords: easy mac and cheese, single serve mac and cheese

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @brendidblog on Instagram and hashtag it #brendid

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Tips

    • Grate your own cheese to make sure you sauce is smooth and creamy. Bagged shredded cheese is mixed with additives that keep it from melting correctly. (Learn more in Can You Freeze Cheese).
    • Use a bowl that is 4 inches tall or higher. This will help it from boiling over while initially cooking the noodles.
    • This recipe makes a large 2 cup serving. Store bought single serve mac and cheese makes a one cup serving.

    Like my easy recipes? Sign up for my newsletter below and never miss a thing! 

    BrenDId

     

    Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese for One: all-natural recipe uses simple ingredients to make healthy macaroni and cheese for one.
    « How to Make Natural Deodorant with No Baking Soda (That Works!)
    Greek Salad Recipe with Fresh Green Tomatoes »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stephanie

      March 14, 2017 at 8:57 am

      My kids LOVE this mac & cheese!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Bren

        March 14, 2017 at 9:33 am

        Mine too! I love that it’s easy with no box mix!

        Reply
    2. Mae

      May 29, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      I dont really like al dente pasta, how do i make it alottle softer?

      Reply
      • Bren

        May 30, 2016 at 9:08 am

        All you need to do is cook the pasta to your preferred level. Add an extra tablespoon of water if necessary.

        Reply
    3. Susan

      August 03, 2015 at 12:55 pm

      I happened to read this at lunchtime and, of course, had to try it. How wonderful! A one-bowl meal that tastes great and is good for you! I think I’ll make mac and cheese this way all the time — it was one of the tastiest recipes I’ve ever used, and certainly THE easiest! Thanks so much!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Bren

        August 03, 2015 at 1:12 pm

        Thanks Sue. I am so glad you liked the recipe! I’ll admit that it is a lunchtime favorite around here too.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Bren! I believe you deserve a clean home without having to compromise your family's health or safety.

    More about me →

    Popular Posts

    • Natural All Purpose Cleanser
    • How to Clean Oven Racks Naturally
    • Non-Toxic Homemade Dish Detergent for Hand Washing
    • How to Make Scented Vinegar for Cleaning

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Bren Did
    • Policies & Disclosures

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for Email

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 Bren Fey (Bren Did)

    All information should be used at your own discretion.

    Use of content/photos without permission is prohibited.