Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

The 3-ingredient mac and cheese recipe you should add to your Thanksgiving menu

This easy mac and cheese recipe will make a believer out of you

By
Plateing/Pixabay

Mac and cheese is one of America’s favorite comfort foods. Its ooey gooey melty goodness satisfies in a way few dishes can. Kraft sells millions of its little blue boxes every minute, most casual restaurants have at least one version of the dish on their menu, and almost every family has their own favorite homemade recipe. But despite the love we have in this country for some good ol’ fashioned mac and cheese, people seem to be pretty divided about whether or not it belongs at the Thanksgiving table.

We’re here to put that debate to rest. This staple of American cuisine most certainly deserves a front-and-center spot on turkey day, and this mac and cheese recipe will make a believer out of even the most avid of skeptics.

Recommended Videos

Of course, there are thousands of mac and cheese recipes out there. It’s one of those dishes that can be as pretentious as possible, incorporating expensive and indulgent ingredients like lobster and truffles. On the other hand, you can pick up a cheap boxed version at a gas station for about a buck. Overall, it’s a pretty versatile dish, and we love all the versions. But if you’re wondering how to make mac and cheese in a way that will please everyone, this recipe is the way to go. Easy, quick, inexpensive, and stupidly delicious, this is the perfect dish for every single day of the year. Including- nay, especially Thanksgiving.

3-Ingredient stovetop mac and cheese recipe

Facebook/Serious Eats

(From Serious Eats)

This recipe calls for cooking the macaroni in a small amount of water. If you’re unfamiliar with this method, its purpose is to create a high concentration of starch in the water, which will emulsify and form an exquisitely creamy texture to your cheese sauce.

Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces elbow macaroni
  • Salt
  • 6 ounces evaporated milk
  • 6 ounces mild or medium cheddar cheese, or any good melting cheese, such as Fontina, Gruyère, or Jack, grated

Method:

  1. Pour macaroni in a medium saucepan and add just enough cold water to cover. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently.
  2. Continue to cook, stirring until water has almost completely absorbed and macaroni is almost al dente, about 6 minutes.
  3. Add evaporated milk and bring to a boil.
  4. Add cheese, reduce heat to low and cook until cheese is melted and liquid has reduced to a creamy sauce, about 2 minutes longer.
  5. Season to taste with more salt and serve immediately.
Lindsay Parrill
Lindsay Parrill
Contributor
Lindsay is a graduate of California Culinary Academy, Le Cordon Bleu, San Francisco, from where she holds a degree in…

Editors’ Recommendations

Myths busted: Why rinsing your beer glass matters more than you think
Beer glass rinsing 101
beer

Myths run riot in the land of drinks and we're on a mission to dispel them. Just ask the chill-able red wine or age-worthy beer. There are rules in beer, cocktail, and wine culture, sure, but there are also misconceptions and unknowns very much worth figuring out.

You know the sayings: Rum is only for tiki drinks, mezcal is just a smoky version of tequila, or you can't make a good non-alcoholic beer. We know these things to be untrue as we've tasted the evidence.

Read more
What your daily cup of coffee is really doing to you, new study explores
How your coffee habits unknowingly affect your health
Long black coffee

Do you know what your morning cup of coffee does to you? As it turns out, researchers from Tufts University have been asking this same question. A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition examined the coffee-drinking habits of over 45,000 Americans from 1998 to 2018.  This observational study analyzed data from the National Death Index Mortality Data, suggesting that individuals who consumed one to three cups of black coffee had a 14% lower risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality compared to those who did not.

In addition to this key finding, the recently published study also found that individuals who drank more coffee achieved even better results. Those who had 2 to 3 cups of coffee had a 17% lower risk of all-cause mortality. However, the findings suggest that this research only applies to those who drank their coffee black. Adding cream and sugar to your coffee, even in small amounts, could completely negate the potential benefits of drinking black coffee. This study's findings come at a time when black coffee is on the rise, as health-focused coffee drinkers have begun to find new ways to eliminate added sugar and cream from their morning coffee.
"The health benefits of coffee consumption may be diminished when sugar and saturated fat are added," the study researchers concluded. It's also worth noting that this observational study only examined individuals who drank regular caffeinated coffee and did not explore the benefits associated with drinking decaf coffee. While this study suggests a correlation between coffee consumption and lower all-cause mortality, it does not necessarily indicate a causal relationship.

Read more
How to grill on cedar planks like a pro (and why you should)
Cedar plank grilling basics for flavorful outdoor cooking
cedar-planked salmon

Using cedar planks for grilling adds a layer of flavor that’s hard to replicate with other methods. It’s subtle but distinct, infusing whatever you’re cooking — especially fish, chicken, or vegetables — with a smoky, woodsy aroma. I started using cedar planks a few years ago when I wanted to change up how I grilled salmon, and I’ve been hooked ever since. 

It’s a straightforward technique that doesn’t require much beyond the planks themselves, a bit of prep, and a standard grill. If you’ve never tried it before or just want a refresher on doing it right, this guide will walk through everything you need to know regarding how to use cedar planks for grilling.

Read more