Because You Deserve Cheese Without Effort 🧀
Hello again, comfort seekers! Welcome back to the Winter Comfort Food series—a delicious tribute to the nights when we just want something hot, gooey, and ridiculously easy.
Today’s recipe is an unapologetically cheesy icon: Quick Mac & Cheese for One.
This is not the stuff from the box with mysterious orange powder. This is real cheese, real butter, and real comfort—made in one pot, in under 15 minutes, with ingredients you probably already have lurking in the fridge.
It’s the food equivalent of fuzzy socks, a warm doona, and a nostalgic hug from childhood… with a grown-up twist if you want it (hello, mustard powder).
Why You’ll Love This Mac
- 🧀 Gooey, creamy, real cheese sauce
- ⏱️ Super fast – Dinner on the table in 10–12 minutes
- 🍲 One pot = less washing up
- 💡 Easy to jazz up or keep plain
- 🧍 Perfectly portioned for one hungry human
Ingredients (Serves 1 cheese-lover)
- ½ cup macaroni (or any short pasta—penne, shells, spirals all work)
- ¼ cup milk (any kind—dairy or plant-based)
- ¼ cup grated tasty cheese (or cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
- ½ tsp butter
- Pinch of mustard powder or paprika (optional, but lovely)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
👉 Extra cheese is always allowed. No judgment.
Instructions
- Cook the pasta:
Boil your macaroni in salted water according to packet instructions (usually 7–9 minutes). Drain and return it to the pot. - Make it creamy:
Add the milk, cheese, butter, and optional mustard powder or paprika straight into the hot pot with the pasta. Stir over low heat until the cheese melts and everything gets irresistibly creamy. - Taste & serve:
Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a bowl—or don’t, eat straight from the pot. We’re all friends here.
Fancy-Pants Variations (No Extra Effort Required)
- Breadcrumb topping: Got breadcrumbs? Toast with a little butter and sprinkle on top.
- Extra protein: Add cooked bacon bits, a soft-boiled egg, or some shredded chicken.
- Veg boost: Stir in some frozen peas, baby spinach, or cooked broccoli.
- Spicy twist: Add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of chilli flakes. Go on, live a little.
Why It’s Peak Winter Comfort
There’s something deeply therapeutic about cheesy carbs in winter. Mac & cheese is cosy, uncomplicated, and never asks how your day went. It just is.
And this solo version is designed for you, the one-person cheese party. It’s fast, it’s satisfying, and it won’t leave you with a week’s worth of leftovers to wrangle.
You don’t even have to wear pants. That’s the magic of cooking for one.
Reheat & Storage Tips
Got a bit leftover? (Highly unlikely, but OK.)
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave with a splash of milk to bring it back to life. Stir halfway for even cheesiness.
More Cosy Solo Classics
If this recipe warmed your soul and your belly, you’ll love the other stars of the Winter Comfort Food series: All made for one. All made with love (and a little laziness).
Share the Mac Love 💛
We know you secretly love mac & cheese alone on the couch (we all do). So why not share this with another solo comfort-food fan?
Or better yet—subscribe for more ridiculously easy, soul-warming recipes made just for one.
Your microwave, saucepan, and stretchy pants will thank you.
