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Leigh Anne Wilkes

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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Cooking Method / Recipes for Two / Small Batch Mac and Cheese

Small Batch Mac and Cheese

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 6/01/21Updated: 11/15/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

spoon full of mac and cheese

This small batch mac and cheese recipe uses a combination of cheese and herbs to create the best mac and cheese you will ever eat! It is the perfect amount for two people without a ton of leftovers.

two bowls of mac and cheese

Mac and Cheese for Two

I grew up eating macaroni and cheese that came out of a box. It wasn’t until I was a grown up that I started making it from scratch and it was life changing. I made today’s recipe for some neighbors a while back and they are still talking about how delicious it is! Making homemade mac and cheese doesn’t take much more time either. I love that I can make a small batch version and not worry about too many leftovers.

MAC AND CHEESE WITH BACON ON TOP

Baked Mac and Cheese for Two Ingredients

  • Cheese. I use a combination of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Parmesan and Mozzarella.
  • Seasoning. Dry mustard, Garlic Salt, Onion Powder Paprika, Parsley, and Basil.
  • Pasta. I use a small elbow macaroni but you could use any shape pasta. For small batch I prefer a smaller pasta.
  • Bacon. I often use a peppered bacon for even more flavor.
  • Milk. The higher fat percentage the creamier your mac and cheese will be. I prefer whole milk but often only have 2 percent on hand.
mac and cheese ingredients

How to Make Homemade Mac and Cheese for Two

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Spray container with a non stick spray. I use a ramekin.
  • Boil pasta to al dente. Drain.
adding flour to butter in a pan
  • Melt butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Add in flour and stir to combine. Stir for a few minutes, don’t let it burn.
  • Add in milk, stir for 3-4 minutes until mixture thickens and is smooth.
making a roux.
  • Remove from heat and add in cheese mixture. (reserve a little cheese to sprinkle on top before baking.)
  • Add in herb mixture and stir to combine.
add cheese to pan.
  • Pour cheese mixture over cooked pasta. Stir to combine.
pouring cheese over macaroni
  • Add mac and cheese to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with reserved cheese.
  • If preparing it ahead, cover and refrigerate at this time.
Sprinkling cheese on mac and cheese
  • Bake at 350 F degrees for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
  • Sprinkle with cooked bacon and serve warm.
baked mac and cheese

What to Serve with Mac and Cheese

If you make this with bacon it can stand alone as a main dish but we also serve it as a side dish with just about anything and everything. Some of our favorites include:

  • BBQ Brisket
  • Steak Bites
  • Pulled Pork
  • Perfect Steak
spoonful of mac and cheeese

Can I Double This Recipe?

You sure can and you can also find a full size version of baked mac and cheese here. And I also have a version of this exact recipe in larger form and it’s made in the slow cooker here. This rice cooker mac and cheese is a fun thing for the kids to make.

Can I Make This Ahead of Time?

I recommend if you want to make it ahead of time that you mix it together and then refrigerate before baking it. You can bake it and then refrigerate but when you reheat the cheese won’t be as smooth and creamy.

overhead shot of mac and cheese for two

For other delicious small batch recipes be sure and try Lasagna for Two, Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls and Dinner Rolls for Two.

Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.

4.94 from 15 votes
spoon full of mac and cheese

Small Batch Mac and Cheese

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
This small batch mac and cheese recipe uses a combination of cheese and herbs to create the best mac and cheese you will ever eat!
serves: 2 servings
Prep:20 minutes
Cook:20 minutes
0 minutes
Total:40 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup macaroni for a cheesier mac and cheese only use 1/2 cup of pasta.
  • 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese grated
  • 1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese grated
  • 1/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese grated
  • 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 Tbsp Flour
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 slices bacon cooked and diced.

Herb Mixture

  • 1/4 tsp dry mustard
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic salt
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp parsley
  • 1/8 tsp basi

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray baking dishes with non stick spray

Herb Mixture

  • Combine all seasonings together and mix to combine.

Mac and Cheese

  • Bring a large pan of water to a boil, add macaroni and cook to al dente stage. Drain pasta.
  • Melt butter in small pan and stir in flour and cook for 2-3 minutes..
  • Whisk in milk and stir until it thickens, 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in cheeses and seasonings. Reserve a little cheese to sprinkle on top before baking.
  • Pour cheese mixture over cooked pasta and stir to combine well.
  • Add macaroni to prepared baking dishes.
  • Sprinkle with reserved cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
  • Remove from oven and top with cooked bacon. Serve warm.

Recommended Products

Measuring Cups
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Ramekins (6oz)

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 580kcal (29%) Carbohydrates: 48g (16%) Protein: 25g (50%) Fat: 32g (49%) Saturated Fat: 17g (106%) Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 81mg (27%) Sodium: 1151mg (50%) Potassium: 338mg (10%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 6g (7%) Vitamin A: 840IU (17%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 457mg (46%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Side Dish
Cuisine:American
spoon full of mac and cheese
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  1. Kimber Wallick says

    Posted on 1/19 at 1:05 pm

    Decided to try this recipe because I’m the only one in the family who likes macaroni and cheese. Husband tried the cheese sauce and has now decided he likes macaroni and cheese! He’s requested I make this for dinner tomorrow but instead of the bacon he wants me to top with Buffalo chicken and a sprinkle blue cheese.

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne Wilkes says

      Posted on 1/19 at 2:08 pm

      So glad you both enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  2. Tammy says

    Posted on 6/6 at 12:32 pm

    Do you happen to have the instructions for this recipe for a 9×13 pan? This looks amazing!! 🙂

    Reply

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