Creamy Single-Serve Baked Mac & Cheese
This simple baked mac and cheese is a warm, creamy comfort meal made for one person. Soft pasta is coated in a smooth cheese sauce and topped with a golden crunchy layer before baking. It’s easy to cook, beginner-friendly, and perfect when you want homemade mac and cheese without making a huge batch.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Servings
- 1
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 20g
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup dry short pasta (elbow macaroni or small pasta)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cup milk
- 1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese (optional for extra melt)
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 Optional topping: extra shredded cheese for the top
Instructions
- 1
Fill a small pot with about 3 cups of water and place it on the stove.
- 2
Turn the stove to high heat and wait until the water starts boiling rapidly (large bubbles rising quickly).
- 3
Add ½ teaspoon salt to the water.
- 4
Add the ½ cup dry pasta from the ingredient list into the boiling water.
- 5
Stir the pasta so it does not stick together.
- 6
Cook the pasta for 7–9 minutes or until it is soft but still slightly firm.
- 7
Turn the stove off and carefully pour the pasta into a strainer to drain the water.
- 8
Set the cooked pasta aside.
- 9
Make the Cheese Sauce: Place a small saucepan on the stove.
- 10
Turn the stove to medium heat.
- 11
Add the 1 tablespoon butter from the ingredient list into the pan.
- 12
Let the butter melt completely (about 20–30 seconds).
- 13
Add the 1 tablespoon flour into the melted butter.
- 14
Stir continuously with a spoon or whisk for about 1 minute. This creates a base for the cheese sauce.
- 15
Slowly pour in the ¾ cup milk, a little at a time.
- 16
Continue stirring so the mixture becomes smooth and slightly thick.
- 17
Cook the sauce for 2–3 minutes on medium heat until it thickens.
- 18
Add the cheddar cheese and mozzarella
- 19
Stir until all the cheese melts into a smooth creamy sauce.
- 20
Add the salt and black pepper and mix again.
- 21
Add the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.
- 22
Stir gently until every piece of pasta is coated in the cheese sauce.
- 23
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and olive oil from the ingredient list.
- 24
Stir until the breadcrumbs look slightly coated with oil.
- 25
Turn the oven on and preheat it to 400°F (200°C).
- 26
Transfer the mac and cheese into a small oven-safe bowl or ramekin.
- 27
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
- 28
If you like extra cheese, sprinkle a little more shredded cheese on top.
- 29
Place the bowl onto a baking tray.
- 30
Bake in the oven for 5–7 minutes until the top becomes golden and slightly crispy.
- 31
Carefully remove the bowl from the oven. Let the mac and cheese cool for about 2 minutes before eating because it will be very hot.
- 32
Serve warm and enjoy your homemade single-serve mac and cheese.
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