Photo: Leigh Loftus
I do a lot of cooking that doesn’t wind up on this blog. I make a lot of salads, sandwiches, pasta creations, omelets –and more– that don’t work its way onto the internet.Partially because I tend to eat dinner on the later side and I don’t always write down recipes when I cook – but partially because I typically only cook for me and why bother with a recipe for one?
Well, maybe some of you would make recipes for one: you’re single, you live alone…maybe your kids and husband are the pickiest eaters on the planet so you make separate meals. Or maybe you’re just selfish. Every man for himself.
I’m kidding about the selfish part.
But not about the ‘recipes for one’ part.
Every week I’m going to share a new solo-serving recipe with you. Some will offer up one square portion while others, like this one, might leave you with leftovers for lunch the next day — or to invite a friend over if you’re feeling extra generous.
I am kicking this series off with the ultimate recipe for one – creamy, cheesy, baked macaroni with whole wheat pasta for guilt appeasement. Before we get to the recipe, we’re going to take a quick quiz.
How many of you…
a) buy frozen macaroni and cheese from the box simply because you don’t want to make a whole batch just for yourself?
b) avoid homemade macaroni and cheese altogether because you’ll eat the entire batch?
If you chose a or b, you need to get cooking.
- 1½ heaping cups small shell pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup 2% reduced-fat milk
- ½ cup extra sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
- Pinch sea salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare macaroni according to the directions on the package. Cook al dente, drain and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Meanwhile, make a roux. Heat a medium saucepan over medium and add two tablespoons butter. When butter is melted, add flour and stir to combine. Add milk, cheese and mustard powder and let simmer until slightly thickened, stirring constantly so a skin doesn't form on the top.
- Grease or butter a 7" x 5" 16 ounce baking dish (such as the Le Creuset Rectangular Dish). If you don't have an individual size baking dish, use two buttered ramekins.
- Add the elbow macaroni to your saucepan and stir until combined. Transfer to the baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and browned.
26 Comments
Anna Ginsberg
January 31, 2017 at 5:35 pmWe’re a family of 3, but with different schedules (and tastes) I’m often cooking for 1 or 2. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next! As for this, I’m copying it so I can make it for Emma.
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February 12, 2011 at 7:46 pm[…] bowl and top with breadcrumb mixture [you may have some extra – save them to top your next batch of macaroni and cheese!]. Season with sea salt and pepper, as […]
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February 10, 2011 at 9:51 pm[…] Easy Macaroni & Cheese from In Good Taste […]
CaSaundra
January 27, 2011 at 9:11 amI always love getting new recipes for food that I love that can be made in small batches. Being that it’s just me living by myself, it comes in handy!!!
Chicago Cuisine Critique
January 25, 2011 at 10:04 amGreat idea on the recipes for one. I think people tend to try and alleviate the hassle of cooking, when really it is so much better for you and doesn’t take that long.
justcooknyc
January 24, 2011 at 10:04 pmmac & cheese is one thing i don’t mind making in big batches though because then i get to eat it the next day, and maybe for lunch too.
Rachel W.
January 24, 2011 at 3:37 pmFISH! I have a significant other who HATES fish and so therefore I’ve never really learned to cook it!
Blond Duck
January 24, 2011 at 3:05 pmI’m SO glad you’re doing recipes for one! With just the two of us, this would be perfect for “scrounge” dinner nights!
kat
January 24, 2011 at 11:19 amI’m always sizing recipes down for 1 or 2. Let’s face it there are a lot of us out there without families who cook. I find Mac & Cheese is one of my favorites to do for one.
E.P.
January 23, 2011 at 8:26 pmGoodness. I absolutely ADORE macaroni and cheese… and I absolutely adore meals for one, too, because I make a lot of those still since we have crazy schedules.
Thanks for sharing this!
doniree
January 24, 2011 at 2:08 amAnd this is my favorite thing I’ve seen yet this week. My boyfriend and I cook together A LOT, but we’re often cooking separate meals. I’m mostly vegetarian and don’t just skimp on meat – I eat a LOT of veggies (and ok, a lot of pasta). He’s not a fan of carbs (or veggies, really), so we FREQUENTLY are cooking separate meals. THIS feature? Might be the best thing ever.
Chez Us
January 23, 2011 at 11:18 pmI love making mac and cheese and it is always easier then everyone thinks. Great post!
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)
January 23, 2011 at 10:09 pmMac and cheese is pretty much a perfect food 🙂 I could eat it everyday I think!!
Ellisha Caplan
January 23, 2011 at 9:42 pmI can’t answer in either direction, because I’ve never been much of a mac n’ cheese fanatic, but I know it’s not that difficult to make. However, a good mac n’ cheese is super comfort food for a cold winter’s day — I think I’ll be trying it this week! Thanks!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
January 23, 2011 at 8:41 pmMac and cheese is my absolutely favorite winter (and spring, summer and fall) comfort food. Yours looks absolutely delicious and super easy! I’ll have to give this a try sometime!
Brittany
January 23, 2011 at 7:55 pmI can DEFINITELY use recipes for one. Thanks!
Nina
January 23, 2011 at 7:13 pmThank you so much for this!! i look forward to this series for one since, well, i cook for one and my freezer is already overflowing with leftovers =)
ashley@QuasiChick
January 23, 2011 at 12:45 pmThat looks yummy and my daughters love mac and chz!!
Heidi Renée
January 23, 2011 at 5:46 pmSame here–so much of what I make ends up only in my mouth.
Kate
January 23, 2011 at 5:20 pmMy roommate in lawschool thought he was the luckiest guy in the world. I had such a hard time cooking for one, he often reaped the benefits of a homecooked meal.
Erica
January 23, 2011 at 4:56 pmSUCH a great idea! Sometimes I make different dinners for Josh & I….usually when he wants steak or something along those lines. This would be perfect for me for those nights. Plus it looks amazingly delicious
Lauren at KeepItSweet
January 23, 2011 at 4:05 pmThis is the perfect recipe for one! Love the idea for your new series of recipes.
eliz@the sweet life
January 23, 2011 at 2:04 pmwhat a delicious, cozy, winter recipe! thanks for sharing.
daryl
January 23, 2011 at 2:00 pmYes to a and b. I love the idea of portion for one because I don’t cook for myself too much because I have no control and end up eating several portions at one siting.
Paula
January 23, 2011 at 1:13 pmThat’s a great idea to do a series about recipes for one. I’ll definitely be trying this one out!
Joanne
January 23, 2011 at 12:51 pmI rarely make mac and cheese for no reason that’s really apparent to me. AND I happen to be cooking for one. I feel so inspired by you right now. Yum.