Ultimate Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Indulge in the rich and velvety goodness of this Ultimate Creamy Macaroni and Cheese, a comforting one-pot meal that's perfect for any occasion. This easy-to-make dish blends the nutty flavor of sharp cheddar with a touch of creaminess from heavy cream and chicken stock, resulting in a cheesy delight that's sure to impress. With minimal cleanup, you can enjoy this delectable concoction in no time—just toss everything into your rice cooker and let it work its magic! Whether served as a side dish or a main course, this macaroni and cheese will leave you craving seconds.
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
uncooked dry elbow macaroni
2 cups (none)
chicken stock
1 cup (none)
heavy cream
1 cup (none)
shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups (shredded, or a mix of cheddar, fontina, and mozzarella)
butter
2 tablespoons (unsalted, diced)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
cayenne pepper
1 dash (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a rice cooker, combine the uncooked macaroni, chicken stock, heavy cream, shredded cheese, butter, salt, and cayenne pepper.
2
Close the lid securely and turn the rice cooker to the 'on' setting.
3
Allow the cooker to run until it automatically switches to 'keep warm.'
4
Once it switches, carefully open the lid and stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure the cheese is well incorporated.
5
Close the lid again and let the mixture sit in 'keep warm' mode for an additional five minutes to achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
6
Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese or herbs if desired.
Nutrition Information
16.25g
Fat
22.5g
Carbs
12.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Creamy Macaroni and Cheese?
It is a rich and velvety one-pot comfort meal made easily in a rice cooker using sharp cheddar, heavy cream, and chicken stock.
How many calories are in a serving of this macaroni and cheese?
Each serving contains 300 calories.
What cooking appliance is required for this recipe?
This recipe is specifically designed to be made in a rice cooker.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of uncooked dry elbow macaroni.
Do I need to boil the macaroni beforehand?
No, you place the uncooked dry macaroni directly into the rice cooker with the other ingredients.
Which cheeses are recommended for this dish?
You can use shredded sharp cheddar or a mix of cheddar, fontina, and mozzarella.
How much cheese is needed?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese.
What liquid base is used for the sauce?
The sauce is created using 1 cup of chicken stock and 1 cup of heavy cream.
How much butter is required?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of unsalted, diced butter.
What seasonings are included in the recipe?
The dish is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a dash of cayenne pepper.
How do I start the cooking process?
Combine all ingredients in the rice cooker, close the lid securely, and turn the cooker to the 'on' setting.
How do I know when the cooking cycle is finished?
The rice cooker will automatically switch from the 'on' setting to the 'keep warm' setting.
When should I stir the macaroni and cheese?
Stir the mixture thoroughly once the rice cooker switches to the 'keep warm' mode to ensure the cheese is well incorporated.
How long should the macaroni sit after stirring?
It should sit in 'keep warm' mode for an additional five minutes to reach the perfect consistency.
What is the final texture of this dish?
The result is a rich, velvety, and creamy cheese delight.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: macaroni, chicken stock, heavy cream, cheese, butter, salt, and cayenne pepper.
What is the protein content of this meal?
This recipe contains 12.5g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in the Ultimate Creamy Macaroni and Cheese?
There is 16.25g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 22.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I garnish this dish?
Yes, it is recommended to serve hot, garnished with extra cheese or herbs if desired.
Is this a good meal for minimal cleanup?
Yes, because it is a one-pot meal made entirely in the rice cooker, cleanup is minimal.
What gives the dish its nutty flavor?
The nutty flavor comes from using sharp cheddar cheese.
Is this recipe spicy?
It contains a dash of cayenne pepper for flavor, but it can be adjusted to your personal taste.
Is this suitable as a main course?
Yes, it can be served as either a side dish or a comforting main course.
How much chicken stock is used?
The recipe requires 1 cup of chicken stock.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe specifies unsalted butter, but if you use salted, you may want to reduce the additional salt.
How do I prepare the butter?
The butter should be diced before being added to the rice cooker.
Why is the 'keep warm' step important?
The five-minute rest period allows the sauce to thicken and achieve a perfect creamy consistency.
Is this recipe quick to prepare?
Yes, it is considered a quick meal because the rice cooker does most of the work.
What makes this recipe 'ultimate'?
Its combination of sharp cheddar, heavy cream, and the convenience of one-pot rice cooker preparation makes it a standout comfort food.