Easy 5-Minute Mug Mac & Cheese: Best Creamy Homemade Recipe
A quick and creamy mug mac and cheese made entirely in the microwave in under 5 minutes. Perfect for late-night cravings or when you need comfort food fast.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup (60g) elbow macaroni
- ½ cup (120ml) water
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) whole milk
- ¼ cup (30g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon (14g) unsalted butter
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: garlic powder, paprika, or mustard powder to taste
Instructions
- Add the elbow macaroni and water to a microwave-safe mug. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
- Stir the pasta, then microwave on high for another 1½ to 2 minutes until al dente.
- Carefully drain any excess water from the mug.
- Add the butter and milk to the hot pasta. Stir until the butter is melted and the pasta is coated.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and black pepper. Stir vigorously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Let the mac and cheese rest for 1 minute to thicken, then enjoy.
Notes
For the creamiest sauce, shred your own cheddar cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded cheese. The water-to-pasta ratio is key: use ½ cup water for ½ cup pasta. Let the mac and cheese rest for 1 minute after cooking to allow the sauce to thicken. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free butter, unsweetened oat milk, and dairy-free shredded cheddar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mug
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 16
Keywords: mug mac and cheese, microwave mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese, quick mac and cheese, 5-minute mac and cheese, single serving mac and cheese