3 Cheese Microwave Mac and Cheese Recipe
Creamy, comforting, and incredibly easy, this 3 cheese mac and cheese recipe is made entirely in the microwave. Cream cheese, cheddar, and American cheese melt into a silky sauce that coats every tender noodle. Perfect for a cozy dinner for two or one generous bowl of comfort food, with endless options to customize using your favorite cheeses.
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients
Mac and Cheese
- 1 cup uncooked macaroni about 4 ounces
- 1 cup hot water
- ¼ cup butter or margarine
- ⅜ teaspoon onion salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon Dijon mustard or dry mustard
- ⅝ cup milk half-and-half, or whole milk
- 2½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
Cheese Blend (4 ounces total)
- 2 ounces cream cheese cut into cubes
- 1 ounce Emmental cheese shredded, or substitute with gouda or fontina
- 1 deli slice American cheese torn into 6 pieces, optional
- 1 deli slice white or yellow cheddar cheese or substitute with pepper jack cheese
Panko Topping
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Make the Toasted Panko Topping
- It’s easiest to make the topping before the mac and cheese takes over the microwave. Combine panko bread crumbs, olive oil, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time. Continue until the crumbs are light golden brown, about 1–3 minutes. Set aside while you cook the pasta.
Cook the Pasta
- In a 1-quart microwave-safe casserole or large (at least 16 ounces) ramekin, combine: macaroni, hot water, butter, onion salt, pepper and mustard. Cover tightly and microwave on high (100% power) for about 5 minutes. Carefully remove from the microwave and stir well.
- Continue to cook the pasta. Cover again and microwave on medium (50% power) until the mixture begins boiling and the pasta softens, about 4 to 6 minutes.
Make the 3 or 4 Cheese Sauce
- Stir in: milk or half-and-half, flour, 4 ounces of a cheese mix (your choice).
- Cover and microwave on high (100% power), stirring every 4 minutes, until the mixture is bubbly, the cheese is melted and incorporated and the macaroni is tender. This takes about 10–12 minutes.
Finish and Serve
- Sprinkle the mac and cheese with toasted panko crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.
Notes
What are the best cheeses for mac and cheese?
Use cheeses that melt smoothly such as:- cheddar
- American cheese
- gouda
- pepper jack
- Emmental
- cream cheese