Creamy Microwave Mac & Cheese

There’s nothing more satisfying than a big bowl of creamy Mac & Cheese!

Maybe it’s that I’m a girl from the dairy state and cheese is literally a food group or that this is a favorite dish from my childhood.

It’s also pasta… and I LOVE PASTA!

I will say that like most 90’s babies, I grew up with good old box mac & cheese. Delicious within its own right, but incomparable to this quick homemade rendition.

This recipe came to me shortly after having my son. I was dead tiered, emotions running wild and basically just trying to decide which was more important; showering, sleeping or eating!

My cooking skills were fairly seasoned by this point and I felt confident creating small meals that were quick and easy to prepare.

The Creamy Microwave Mac & Cheese was born!

Simpler than any box recipe, rich in flavor and a healthy choice in carbohydrates; one of the three main pillars in a dancers diet and by far the most important.

Carbohydrates produce long term energy that can be stored and released over time. Sustaining dancers through long technique classes and intense rehearsal sessions.

Combine this with the extra boost of protein enriched pasta and healthy amounts of dairy make for one tasty and nutritious lunchbox meal!

Remember that flavor I was talking about before? I know what your thinking, it’s mac & cheese Miss. Heather… it tastes like cheese. Yes, but cheese alone doesn’t give this dish its fresh taste. Thyme does.

During the microwave/boiling process, I add one spring of fresh thyme to the water. This releases that delicious flavor into the pasta during the cooking process.

Why fresh thyme you ask?

In truth you could use any fresh herb that you have in the refrigerator; rosemary, dill, sage and curly parsley are also some of my favorites. Anything that is attached to the stem and is easy to remove from the bowl once boiled.

I would avoid using dried spices for this recipe. They do the same job as the fresh and season the pasta as well, but leave a HUGE mess in your microwave during the boiling process. And nobody wants that 🙂

Recipe Below:

Ingredients:

-1 cup dried Barilla Protein Rotini pasta (or your favorite brand)

-2 cups water

-1 spring fresh Thyme

-1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

-1/4 cup Heavy whipping cream

-1/4 cup pasta water

-1 teaspoon Salt & Pepper

Instructions:

In a 6 inch x 15.25 cm soup bowl, add the Rotini pasta and two cups of water. Be sure that there is enough water to cover the pasta completely to ensure proper cooking.

Place the sprig of thyme into the bowl, submerging in the water, and microwave on high heat for 7-9 minutes, depending on the size of your microwave.

NOTE: The water is boiling and will bubble over during the cooking process. Bowl will be hot when removing from microwave!

Once the noodles are boiled, drain the water,reserving 1/4 cup in the bowl with the pasta. Remove thyme sprig carefully and toss out.

To this add the heavy whipping cream and half the shredded cheddar cheese. Fold to combine the ingredients and to ensure the cheese is distributed evenly. This will help avoid a cheesy clump in the middle of your pasta.

NOTE: You cannot substitute the heavy whipping cream. Believe me I have tried and it never turns out! Save yourself the hassle and go for the good stuff!

Add the remainder of the cheddar cheese, continuing to distribute evenly throughout the dish. Place back in the microwave for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Remove the bowl carefully and stir the ingredients to combine. Finish with the teaspoon of salt and pepper.

Be sure to allow 1-2 minutes to cool before serving or place in a thermal lunchbox immediately to keep temperature.

Hope you enjoy!