Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two is gooey, rich, creamy ultimate comfort food using just 6 ingredients. This dish makes two generous-sized main dish portions.

  • Why I love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Substitutions and Additions
  • Equipment used for this recipe
  • How to make Baked Macaroni and Cheese
  • Pro Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • You may also enjoy

Why I love this recipe

This is one of my favorite small batch recipes. I love the look and texture of Cavatappi pasta but any pasta works excellently in this classic mac.

Need something to go with it? Try this Raspberry Chocolate Freezer Cake or this Strawberry Cobbler.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (1)

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Ingredients

(amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)

dry pasta

unsalted butter

shredded cheese

heavy whipping cream (or whole milk)

egg

Velveeta cheese

Substitutions and Additions

You can use any pasta like elbow macaroni, or any of the different pasta shapes.

Use a mixture of your favorite melty cheeses like sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, white cheddar, American cheese, pepper jack, or any combination of cheese.

Try adding in a sprinkle of onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, or even cayenne pepper to this homemade baked macaroni.

If you like a crispy topping, add a sprinkle of bread crumbs, or crushed Ritz crackers, and parmesan cheese to the top before baking.

Equipment used for this recipe

How to make Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Step 1 – On a cutting board, dice the Velveeta into small cubes.

Step 2 –Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt. Add the uncooked pasta and cook for 8 – 10 minutes until al dente. Drain the water off the pasta and return it to the cooking pot.

Step 3 –Stir the butter into the pasta until melted.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (2)

Step 4 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 5 –In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy cream.

Step 6 –Add the heavy cream mixture, 1 cup of pre-shredded cheese, and the Velveeta pieces to the cooked pasta. Mix it all together and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (3)

Step 7 –Pour the creamy cheese sauce and pasta mixture, divided evenly, into two 18.6-ounce oven-safe baking dishes sprayed with non-stick cooking spray (or an 8×8). Sprinkle the tops with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (4)

Step 8 –Bake for 30 – 35 minutes until heated, golden brown, and bubbling around the edges.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (5)

Pro Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days.

Recipe FAQs

What 2 cheeses are best for mac and cheese?

The best cheeses for the ultimate mac are the ones that melt the easiest. I prefer a mixture of Cheddar Jack cheese and Velveeta cheese.

You may also enjoy

Bacon Gouda Mac and Cheese

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Shrimp Macaroni and Cheese

Chicken Zucchini Bake

Yield: Serves 2

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (6)

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two is gooey, rich, creamy ultimate comfort food using just 6 ingredients. This dish makes two generous-sized main dish portions.

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time30 minutes

Total Time45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces of dry pasta
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar Jack cheese
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream (or whole milk)
  • 1 egg
  • 4 ounces cubed Velveeta cheese
  • Optional - salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. On a cutting board, dice the Velveeta into small cubes.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt. Add the uncooked pasta and cook for 8 – 10 minutes until al dente. Drain the water off the pasta and return it to the cooking pot.
  3. Stir the butter into the pasta until melted.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy cream.
  6. Add the heavy cream mixture, 1 cup of pre-shredded cheese, and the Velveeta pieces to the cooked pasta. Mix it all together and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
  7. Pour the creamy cheese sauce and pasta mixture, divided evenly, into two 18.6 ounce oven-safe baking dishes sprayed with non-stick spray (or an 8x8). Sprinkle the tops with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.
  8. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes until heated, golden brown, and bubbling around the edges.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 - 4 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 1431Total Fat: 103gSaturated Fat: 62gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 401mgSodium: 1850mgCarbohydrates: 77gFiber: 3gSugar: 11gProtein: 50g

Nutrition information is a guideline only, is calculated automatically by third party software, and absolute accuracy is not guaranteed.

Did you like this recipe?

Please leave a comment on this post and pin this recipe on Pinterest.

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (11)

Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I have a passion for recipes. I share recipes, tips, tricks, and resources to help you cook for two. Eat, drink, and enjoy!

Baked Macaroni and Cheese Web Story

Best Mac and Cheese Recipe for Two (6 Ingredients) • Zona Cooks (2024)

FAQs

What are the best 2 cheese for mac and cheese? ›

I like to use a blend of cheddar and American cheese, about 50/50. The cheddar cheese adds depth of flavor and the American gives the sauce a velvety texture.

What to add to a box of mac and cheese to make it better? ›

How to Make Boxed Mac and Cheese Taste Better. To improve the tang and overall cheesiness of your boxed mac, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to the cooked and drained pasta while it's still warm. Toss to combine, then stir in the cheese powder until it's uniformly blended.

How does Paula Deen make mac and cheese? ›

directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Lightly butter an 8x12" baking dish.
  3. In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni until al dente. ...
  4. Add two cups of the cheese and toss until melted.
  5. In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the sour cream.
  6. Add the milk, butter, and 1/2 teaspoons salt.

What is the best cheese combination for homemade mac and cheese? ›

Cheddar and Monterey Jack are a match made in gooey heaven, especially when they're blanketed in tons of crisp topping. At last, a recipe that's as easy as the boxed stuff, but so much tastier. It relies on Monterey Jack, Parmesan and two smooth melters: American cheese and cream cheese.

What is the best cheese for flavorful mac and cheese? ›

The Best Types of Cheese
  • Sharp Cheddar. The king of all cheeses when it comes to coating your noodles. ...
  • Gouda. Gouda is a seriously underrated cheese when it comes to cooking! ...
  • Gruyère. Despite it being a hard cheese, Gruyère still melts nicely. ...
  • Cream Cheese. ...
  • Brie. ...
  • Goat Cheese. ...
  • Parmesan. ...
  • Anything pre-shredded.
Mar 14, 2023

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What makes mac and cheese smooth? ›

If your mac and cheese sauce breaks on you, try stirring in a little more cheese (cheddar or cream cheese), which helps re-emulsify the sauce.

What does Gordon Ramsay put in his mac and cheese? ›

Ingredients
  1. 1 lb small elbow pasta.
  2. 4 cups whole milk.
  3. 8 tablespoons unsalted butter.
  4. 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
  5. 2 teaspoons kosher salt.
  6. ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
  7. 2 cups bacon bits.
  8. ½ cup bread crumbs, toasted.
May 4, 2023

How to level up mac and cheese? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

Can I use yogurt instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Finally, using a plain yogurt is one of the best options for replacing milk in kraft mac and cheese! A plain whole milk yogurt or a greek yogurt would work well. Mix it in the same way you'd mix in sour cream, until it is well incorporated. This may have a slightly tangier flavor, but that is a personal preference.

How do you increase the flavor of cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Boil it better

Skip the draining step, and add more milk as the noodles cook, if needed. Once al dente, stir in an extra 1 cup of shredded cheese and voila: less powdered cheese flavor, more homemade vibes and a hint of cheesy goodness infused right into the macaroni itself.

What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Sour Cream

There are a couple of reasons this is such a good substitute. For one thing, since sour cream is thicker than regular milk, it doesn't thin out the cheese sauce as much. That means that you can add more sour cream and still get a creamy finish.

How to add extra cheese to mac and cheese? ›

Cook up a box of the macaroni and cheese of your choosing and gather whichever cheese you'd like to use, be it shredded cheddar or crumbled blue cheese. Once you've combined the pasta and cheese sauce, fold the extra cheese into the pot. Finish it with a few grinds of black pepper to balance the rich cheese and enjoy.

Whose mac and cheese is the best? ›

Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese was a standout in our test. Peeking at the package post-sampling, this brand sets itself apart from the others with its box. The black box made this brand seem more sophisticated like this mac and cheese was designed for grown-ups.

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

Mac and cheese needs whole milk to achieve perfection

Even the boxed-type of mac and cheese involves a sauce made from milk, butter, and powdered cheese that does double-duty as a stand-in for flour.

How many types of cheese are in mac and cheese? ›

I use multiple cheeses if it's homemade. Usually it's Gruyère, cheddar, havarti with dill, and some real Italian Parmesan. Sometimes I do a more fancy/adult style with Danish blue cheese, Munster, Gruyère, and Edam cheese.

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