Mac and Cheese in a Mug
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Mac and cheese in a mug and microwave is a super simple way to enjoy fresh and homemade macaroni and cheese in a single serving.
There is a reason that this mac n cheese in a mug became so famous as a food trend: it’s easy AND tasty! Get the full recipe below and make your own today!
Nothing says easy like a single-serve mug of mac and cheese.
By microwaving noodles and adding simple ingredients that make up a macaroni recipe, you can skip the fake cheese and opt for a homemade taste in about 5 minutes.
TikTok Mug Mac And Cheese
Now, this mug mac & cheese recipe is tasty and definitely a great change in lunch during the day, but it’s not going to taste like Kraft or Velveeta. This is true cheese, milk (or cream), and noodles and is a quick fix to a longer boil-on-the-stove or oven-baked mac and cheese.
Personally, any noodles covered in melted cheese are fine with me, so I really love this mac-n-cheese option.
Ingredients needed for mug mac recipe
- 1/2 cup dry rotini pasta
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- salt
RELATED RECIPES: Gigi Hadid Pasta, Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken, No Boil Mac and Cheese in Oven, Ninja Foodi Macaroni and Cheese
Microwave Mac and Cheese (in a Mug)
Add pasta and water to a microwave-safe mug.
Microwave pasta on high for 3–4 minutes.
The water will boil over, and you may need to add more water once the cooking is complete and heat again until pasta is al dente or to your liking.
Stir in milk and shredded cheese and microwave for an additional 30 seconds.
Mix the macaroni and cheese well and season with salt before enjoying.
It makes one serving in a cup or mug.
Mug Mac And Cheese F.A.Q.’s
Can I use pasta shells or macaroni noodles over rotini? Absolutely!
Smaller pasta shells or macaroni elbows work great; they all grab cheese differently. You may just need to adjust the timing and water until your shells are fully cooked and al dente.
How do you make a cup of macaroni and cheese better? Try altering for richer cheeses like gouda and white cheddar; adding more butter and a bit of minced garlic goes a long way, and substituting whole cream over milk.
Is microwave mac and cheese healthy? I think the argument is that many foods that include pasta are not considered healthy – but any time you make things fresh with real cheese, dairy, and pasta, it’s way better than overly preserved boxed macaroni.
Can you microwave macaroni? Yes!
It’s easy to add water and uncooked noodles to a mug and microwave them. Just cook slowly and check on it so it doesn’t burn.
Is mac and cheese junk food? I would not call mac and cheese junk food. It’s filling, hearty, and delicious! It’s not a salad, but you shouldn’t feel guilty for indulging a bit in some pasta and cheese.
How do you make mug of mac and cheese with no milk? Instead of milk, use whole heavy cream or even sour cream.
TikTok Recipes & Food Trends
Tiktok has been a fun source for us to recreate this year as we are big TikTok influencers ourselves (in the craft world). Trying out creations and sharing with readers the full “how-to” recipes is a joy! Please see some of our other tiktok recipes and food trends to see how you can have some fun in your own kitchen.
Cloud Bread – Cloud bread was one of those super fun ideas this year that really tasted awful but is still super fun to make. Check out how to make cloud bread and also how to dial up the fun by making rainbow cloud bread here.
Hot Chocolate Bombs – Over a year ago, we posted how to make hot chocolate bombs when we saw them at Target – who knew that it was gonna go crazy this year (and we were the first to publish the DIY of it!). Since then, we have also shared a white chocolate cocoa bomb recipe and a melting snowman bomb recipe!
Mini Pancakes – It was the year of itty bitty mini pancakes and itty bitty cookies…everyone loves miniature!
Big Mac Pizza – This one is a new recipe, and it’s SO good! Take Mcdonald’s home and fuse it into a pizza – total yes.
Mac and Cheese in a Mug {TikTok}
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dry rotini pasta
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- salt
Instructions
- Microwave Mac and Cheese in a Mug
- Add uncooked rotini or elbow macaroni pasta and water into a microwave safe mug or cup.
- Microwave noodles on high for 3-4 minutes until they are soft and tender.
- The water may boil over, and you might need to add more water once the cooking is complete, and heat once again until pasta is al dente or to your liking.
- Stir in milk (or alternatively heavy whipping cream) and shredded cheddar cheese and microwave again for 30 seconds to melt cheese properly.
- Mix mac and cheese well and season with salt before enjoying in mug.
Notes
- Macaroni and cheese in a mug is a great one person serving of homemade mac and cheese. Choose a large mug to help prevent water boil over. Water may need to be adjusted half way through depending on the type of pasta chosen.
- Please remember that mugs (coffee cups) tend to get very hot in the microwave, so proceed cautiously as not to burn self. The water will get hot enough to boil and cook pasta.
- Its fine to vary cheese to your liking. Do not over add liquids like milk, but instead add slowly and melt before adding more to make creamier.
- Let set for a few minutes to thicken cheese and cool enough to eat mac and cheese in a mug safely.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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