One Pot Cheddar Mac & Cheese
One Pot Cheddar Mac & Cheese
One Pot Cheddar Mac & Cheese
One Pot Cheddar Mac & Cheese cover
From the Cook
From the Cook
From the Cook
1/4

One Pot Cheddar Mac & Cheese

0 allergens identified

One Pot Cheddar Mac & Cheese

Instructions

1
In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter and add minced garlic. Cook until fragrant.
2
Pour in milk and chicken broth. Stir and bring to a simmer.
3
Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
4
Add uncooked pasta and stir to ensure all noodles are submerged.
5
Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
6
Lower the heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and heavy cream.
7
Mix until fully melted and creamy. Top with freshly cracked black pepper and serve hot.

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

  • Toast Your Garlic in Butter First 🧈
    Bloom the minced garlic and garlic powder in melted butter for 30-60 seconds before adding liquid to unlock deep, aromatic flavors that infuse the entire dish.
  • Use Freshly Grated Cheese, Not Pre-Shredded 🧀
    Freshly grated cheddar melts smoother and creamier than pre-shredded varieties, which contain anti-caking agents that create graininess and prevent silky texture.
  • Cook Pasta in Broth, Not Just Water 🍲
    The chicken broth in this recipe adds savory depth to the pasta itself, so stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even absorption of flavor throughout cooking.
  • Add Cheese Off Heat for Emulsion Control 🔥
    Remove the pot from heat before stirring in cheese and cream to prevent the sauce from breaking or becoming grainy—the residual heat is sufficient to melt everything smoothly.
  • Finish with Paprika and Fresh Cracked Pepper 🌶️
    Add paprika during cooking for color and subtle smokiness, then finish with generously cracked black pepper just before serving to add visual appeal and a fresh peppery bite.
Fire Icon

More Recipes

Browse These Carbs Don't Count recipes!

View
Pesto Chicken Pasta
4.0
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Pesto Chicken Pasta

These Carbs Don't Count
Garlic Cream Pasta with Shrimp
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Garlic Cream Pasta with Shrimp

These Carbs Don't Count
French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese

These Carbs Don't Count
Tuscan Chicken Pasta
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Tuscan Chicken Pasta

These Carbs Don't Count
Gnocchi Mac & Cheese with Pancetta
These Carbs Don't Count
Dinner

Gnocchi Mac & Cheese with Pancetta

These Carbs Don't Count
Gochujang Spaghetti with Fresh Mozzarella
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Gochujang Spaghetti with Fresh Mozzarella

These Carbs Don't Count
Cheesy Baked Pink Macaroni
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Cheesy Baked Pink Macaroni

These Carbs Don't Count
Alfredo Spaghetti with Meatballs
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Alfredo Spaghetti with Meatballs

These Carbs Don't Count
Pumpkin Vodka Burrata Pasta
These Carbs Don't Count
Dinner

Pumpkin Vodka Burrata Pasta

These Carbs Don't Count
cookie Icon

Complete The Meal! 🔎

Quick Explore Recipes by Category

See All

No Recipes Available

sparkle

Recommendations

Tailored to your preferences

View All
Pesto Chicken Pasta
4.0
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Pesto Chicken Pasta

These Carbs Don't Count
Garlic Cream Pasta with Shrimp
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Garlic Cream Pasta with Shrimp

These Carbs Don't Count
French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese

These Carbs Don't Count
Tuscan Chicken Pasta
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Tuscan Chicken Pasta

These Carbs Don't Count
Quick Tex-Mex Casserole
Jule’s Menu
Pasta

Quick Tex-Mex Casserole

Jule’s Menu
Crock Pot Meaty Pasta Sauce
Weelicious
Pasta

Crock Pot Meaty Pasta Sauce

Weelicious
Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce
Food with Feeling
Pasta

Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce

Food with Feeling
Gochujang Spaghetti with Fresh Mozzarella
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Gochujang Spaghetti with Fresh Mozzarella

These Carbs Don't Count
Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
It is a Keeper
Pasta

Philly Cheesesteak Pasta

It is a Keeper
Pasta with Butternut Squash Sauce, Gruyere, and Greens
Cooking with Conks
Pasta

Pasta with Butternut Squash Sauce, Gruyere, and Greens

Cooking with Conks
Cheesy Baked Pink Macaroni
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Cheesy Baked Pink Macaroni

These Carbs Don't Count
Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
It is a Keeper
Pasta

Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

It is a Keeper
Buffalo Chicken Pasta
It is a Keeper
Pasta

Buffalo Chicken Pasta

It is a Keeper
Alfredo Spaghetti with Meatballs
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Alfredo Spaghetti with Meatballs

These Carbs Don't Count
Creamy Gochujang Pasta with Burrata
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Creamy Gochujang Pasta with Burrata

These Carbs Don't Count
Parmesan Shrimp Pasta
It is a Keeper
Pasta

Parmesan Shrimp Pasta

It is a Keeper
Easy Stove Top Mac and Cheese
Flavor the Moments
Pasta

Easy Stove Top Mac and Cheese

Flavor the Moments
Creamy Lemon Pasta
Jule’s Menu
Pasta

Creamy Lemon Pasta

Jule’s Menu
Creamy Lemon Pasta (20-Minute Recipe)
Food with Feeling
Pasta

Creamy Lemon Pasta (20-Minute Recipe)

Food with Feeling
Vodka Sauce Mac & Cheese Shell Pasta
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Vodka Sauce Mac & Cheese Shell Pasta

These Carbs Don't Count
Creamy Beet Ricotta Rigatoni
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Creamy Beet Ricotta Rigatoni

These Carbs Don't Count
Lemon Cream Shrimp Pasta
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Lemon Cream Shrimp Pasta

These Carbs Don't Count
Healthy Pasta Salad
Jule’s Menu
Pasta

Healthy Pasta Salad

Jule’s Menu
Creamy Lemon Ricotta Gnocchi with Crispy Chicken Cutlet
5.0
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Creamy Lemon Ricotta Gnocchi with Crispy Chicken Cutlet

These Carbs Don't Count
Tofu Bolognese
The Urben Life
Pasta

Tofu Bolognese

The Urben Life
Creamy Sausage Pasta with Burrata
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Creamy Sausage Pasta with Burrata

These Carbs Don't Count
Pesto Mac & Cheese Shells
These Carbs Don't Count
Pasta

Pesto Mac & Cheese Shells

These Carbs Don't Count
Creamy Chipotle Chicken Pasta
Delicate Kitchen
Pasta

Creamy Chipotle Chicken Pasta

Delicate Kitchen