3 Ingredient Mac and Cheese Recipe full of gooey, cheesy goodness with just 3 ingredients!
My family will tell you Mac and Cheese is my all-time favorite food. I know, I’m a kid at heart! I love the simplicity of this 3 Ingredient Mac and Cheese Recipe. Three ingredients and ready in less than 15 minutes. That’s a winner!!
This recipe is as simple and satisfying as recipes can get. Comfort food that children and adults enjoy. This recipe is good for potlucks, weeknight dinners or kids after-school snacks.
Why slave over Mac and Cheese when it can be as simple as 1-2-3? My 3 Ingredient Mac and Cheese is made on the stove-top in one pan and with only three ingredients. Score!
3 Ingredient Mac and Cheese Recipe Tips
- I typically use whatever shape pasta I have on hand for Mac and Cheese. If you’re a traditionalist, by all means, use elbow macaroni.
- As well, use your favorite cheese or whatever you have in your refrigerator. Although I do love the classic cheddar, I have also used gouda, Monterrey and pepper jack in mac and cheese. They are all good. (I even used 8 kinds of cheese in a recipe. Get that recipe here: Eight Cheese Mac n Cheese.)
- Be sure to stir the heavy cream as it comes up to a low boil. Unlike water, the cream will scorch is you don’t stir it.
- You can also use processed cheese, like Velveeta, in this recipe
While you’re here, check out these recipes
- Crawfish Mac and Cheese
- Muenster Mac and Cheese
3 Ingredient Mac and Cheese Recipe
3 Ingredient Mac and Cheese Recipe full of gooey, cheesy goodness with just 3 ingredients!Servings: 8 servingsCalories: 557kcalIngredients
- 3 and ½ cups heavy cream
- 3 cups uncooked pasta
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese I used white cheddar
Instructions
- Bring heavy cream to a low boil, stirring so it doesn't scorch.
- Add pasta and cook per package directions to al dente stage, usually 10 to 11 minutes.
- Carefully stir every couple of minutes while cooking.
- Do not drain liquid off when pasta is cooked.
- Add the grated cheese and stir.
- Add salt and pepper if desired*
- Allow to sit 5 minutes.
- Stir and serve.
Notes
*salt, pepper, or water doesn't count as ingredients according to Clair Robinson at Food Network, 5 Ingredient Fix.Nutrition
Calories: 557kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Cholesterol: 172mg | Sodium: 216mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1814IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 276mg | Iron: 1mgAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Visit all my recommended products at Paula’s Picks on Amazon. Read my entire Privacy Policy here.
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Sandra Skelton says
I’m confused. Do you cook the pasta in the cream? If so, why is water mentioned in the notes? Is it used to cook the pasta and then the pasta is stirred into the cream? That wouldn’t make sense because then wouldn’t the mac n cheese be really runny? Please clarify for me.
Paula says
Yes, the pasta is cooked in the cream only. No water.
I mentioned salt, pepper, & water to clarify that, as a standard, they are not counted as ingredients. (per Clair Robinson’s 5 Ingredient Fix)
– Keeping with the 3 Ingredient part of the recipe
The * in step 6 corresponds to that notation.
Hope that makes sense.
Catherine says
Dear Paula, this looks great! I love how easy it is…a comforting classic. Always fun to have. xo, Catherine
Carol at Wild Goose Mama says
Any post that says Mac and Cheese and I read it. Obviously it must represent THE ultimate comfort food. A quick version like this is almost dangerous because taste and richness has not been sacrificed.