This copycat homemade Kraft Easy Mac is even better than the store-bought stuff.

homemade Kraft Easy mac

Did you know you can make homemade Kraft Easy mac and cheese in the microwave? With only three ingredients? 

Mac and cheese is perhaps my number one desert island food. Mixed from a box, crafted from a roux, or served in the finest of restaurants, I’ll take it all. I make my own, to be sure, and add fancy ingredients like Gruyere and beer. (Really, I add beer to my mac and cheese, and it makes it fancy, not to mention crazy delicious.)

But when you can get creamy, oh-my-gosh-so-good, cheesiest-ever mac and cheese in minutes from the microwave, well, yeah. I’m going to do that.

Need more mac and cheese?

• Check out this roundup of slow cooker mac and cheese recipes.
• Make crock pot beer mac and cheese.
• I’ve been making this beer mac and cheese for years.
• Try microwave mac and cheese in a mug.
• How about mac and cheese cupcakes?

Tips for this Easy Mac n’ cheese recipe

For those no stranger to the boxed-food aisle, when you need lunch or a snack or dinner in minutes, there’s Easy Mac. Grab a container, add some water and stick it in the microwave. Ta da. Done. I know.

But this recipe? It’s even more addictive and just as fast to make. Plus, it’s only three ingredients and it’s homemade.

 how to make mac and cheese in the microwave

Make a batch in the microwave, then divide what you don’t eat right away into pint-size mason jars or Tupperware containers.

Refrigerate, and when you need said lunch or snack or dinner over the next few days, just remove the lid of the mason jar (or crack the lid of the Tupperware container) and stick it in the microwave. Easy. Mac.

If Velveeta isn’t your thing, I understand (see “Gruyere” above). You may substitute freshly-shredded cheddar cheese for the Velveeta in this recipe.

The magic of Velveeta is that it melts so well and makes for a super creamy mac and cheese, but shredded cheddar will work too. Or a mixture of your favorite cheeses for mac and cheese.

Do use a large bowl to make this, even if it fits in a smaller one. The water boils up when cooking the pasta, so the larger bowl helps prevent the water from boiling up and then over.

So if the kids are clamoring for mac and cheese, now, now, now, then you actually can give them mac and cheese now, now, now. And tomorrow and the next day.

Although if they are that demanding I might not let them know how quickly I made the stuff. No, I might hang out in the kitchen with my book and glass of wine and shout “soon, soon!”

Yield: 6 servings

homemade Kraft Easy Mac

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homemade KRAFT EASY MAC -- A copycat recipe for easy mac and cheese (microwaved!), packaged in mason jars. Easy lunch idea.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 7 minutes

Total Time 7 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups Uncooked Elbow Noodles
• pinch of Salt
• 3/4 pound Velveeta Cheese, Cubed, or 3/4 pound freshly shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup Milk
• Black Pepper, Optional

Instructions

1. In a large microwave-safe bowl place the macaroni. Add water to the bowl to just cover the macaroni. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
2. Microwave the macaroni on high for two minutes. Stir and continue to microwave at two minute intervals until the macaroni is cooked al dente. If the pasta absorbs all the water before being cooked, add more water. If there is additional water remaining when cooked, drain the pasta and return to the bowl.
3. Stir in the Velveeta and milk. Microwave for 30 seconds on high, stir, and continue to melt for another 30 seconds or just until the Velveeta melts. Stir well. Sprinkle with black pepper, if desired.
4. Divide the macaroni into six microwave-safe containers and store in the refrigerator until ready to reheat and eat. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 505Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 1249mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 26g

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This recipe for homemade Kraft Easy Mac also appears on Food Fanatic. It was originally published in June 2016 and updated in July 2021.