QiMeal
Quick Macaroni and Cheese
Quick Macaroni and Cheese · ready in 20 min · 4 servings · 420 kcal per serving · easy · 9 ingredients
Creamy, comforting macaroni coated in a smooth cheddar sauce with a gentle garlic warmth and a hint of cayenne for subtle heat. This fast stovetop classic delivers rich flavor and nostalgic satisfaction in minutes.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Serves
- 4
- kcal
- 420
- Difficulty
- easy
Ingredients · 4 servings
- 340 gElbow macaroni
- 28 gButter
- 6 gGarlic
- ½ gCayenne pepper
- 16 gAll-purpose flour
- 6 gSalt
- 150 gLow-fat cheddar cheese
- 480 mlMilk
- 2800 mlWater
Equipment
stovetop, colander, large pot, saucepan, whisk, wooden spoon
Instructions
- Prepare equipment
Gather all ingredients, then set out a large pot for pasta and a medium saucepan for the cheese sauce.
What to look for: tender but firm pasta
- Cook macaroni
Cook the elbow macaroni in boiling water over high heat, stirring occasionally, until tender but still firm. · 9 min
What to look for: pasta bends easily but holds shape
- Melt butter
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until fully melted and foamy. · 2 min
What to look for: butter foams lightly
- Add aromatics
Add the garlic and cayenne pepper to the melted butter and stir to combine. · 1 min
What to look for: garlic smells fragrant
- Cook aromatics
Cook the garlic mixture over medium heat, stirring, until fragrant without browning. · 1 min
What to look for: aroma blooms, no color change
- Make roux
Add the all-purpose flour and stir constantly over medium heat to form a smooth paste. · 4 min
What to look for: thick, smooth paste
- Add milk
Add the milk and salt, stirring frequently, and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat. · 2 min
What to look for: small bubbles at edges
- Simmer sauce
Simmer the sauce gently, stirring, until slightly thickened. · 1 min
What to look for: coats the back of a spoon
- Add cheese
Reduce heat to low and stir in most of the low-fat cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. · 1 min
What to look for: sauce looks glossy
- Combine pasta
Drain the macaroni well and add it to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat evenly. · 1 min
What to look for: pasta fully coated
- Finish and serve
Cook briefly to heat through, then sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese and serve hot. · 1 min
What to look for: cheese softens on top
Nutrition (per serving)
| kcal | 420 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| of which sugars | 6 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| of which saturated | 9 g |
| Fibre | 2 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
Nutri-ScoreD
Allergens
Contains: gluten, milk
Storage and reheating
- Fridge: up to 3 days
- Freezer: not recommended
Ingredient substitutions
Elbow macaroni
- small shell pasta: Shells hold sauce well similar to elbows
- whole wheat macaroni: Adds fiber and slightly nutty flavor
Butter
- olive oil: Use mild olive oil to avoid overpowering
- margarine: Choose non-hydrogenated
Garlic
- garlic powder: Add directly to butter
- shallot: Finely mince
Cayenne pepper
- paprika: Adds color more than heat
All-purpose flour
- cornstarch: Do not brown
Salt
- kosher salt: Adjust to taste
