It’s late at night, and all you want is something cheesy, gooey, and bad for you. Though you may instinctively order a whole pizza, or a massive calzone, there are other options that will be easier on your wallet and a little bit kinder to your caloric intake. We have a recipe you can use for an easy microwave mac and cheese bowl! Using just a microwave, you can make a single serving of macaroni and cheese that will satisfy all of your cravings. Plus, it’s a cheap meal that’s perfect for your budget.
Try American Consumer Credit Counseling’s microwave mac and cheese bowl!
This macaroni and cheese is the perfect snack, but it also serves as an excellent starter for a well-rounded dinner. You could add spinach or broccoli, plus some sliced deli ham, to make it a full meal packed with protein and nutrients. Or you can add black beans and roasted red peppers to keep it vegetarian. This costs a mere fraction of pizza delivery! The money you save could be put towards other essentials or debt management.
Microwave Mac and Cheese Bowl
½ cup water
½ tsp salt
¼ cup milk
½ cup shredded cheese (any kind – I recommend sharp cheddar or a blend of sharp cheddar and Monterey jack)
Garlic powder (optional)
Onion powder (optional)
Using a microwave safe bowl or mug, mix the water, macaroni, and salt together. Microwave it at high heat in two-minute intervals, and stir at each interval. Repeat until macaroni is al dente. If the water dries up before the macaroni is cooked, add another tbsp of water at each interval.
Add the milk and cheddar cheese, and stir. Add the dash of garlic powder and onion powder if desired. Microwave it at high heat in 30-second intervals until the milk and cheese have combined into a creamy cheesy sauce. For an even richer sauce, add more cheese and a little melted butter. You could also get creative with this! Add paprika or sriracha to spice it up. Mix in some bacon and melted leeks.
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