We all love mac and cheese— it’s simple, easy, convenient and, most importantly, delicious. However, living in a dorm with no access to a stove makes it hard to get that cheesy goodness often, and constantly purchasing those four packs from Walmart gets really expensive in the long run. And if you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, good luck finding any alternatives that are fit for a microwave.
With that being said, I’m going to teach you to make a non-vegan and vegan mac and cheese in the microwave. The ingredients will be slightly different, but the methods will be the same
DAIRY MAC AND CHEESE
You’ll need:
1/2 cup macaroni (gluten free, if necessary)
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
VEGAN MAC AND CHEESE
You’ll need:
1/2 cup macaroni (gluten free, if necessary)
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup plant milk (unsweetened and unflavored)
1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded vegan cheese (I suggest Daiya cheddar shreds)
1. Add the pasta, water, and salt into a microwave-safe bowl or mug then stir.
2. Microwave the pasta and stir. Microwave the pasta in two-minute intervals until the pasta is cooked and soft— about 4-8 minutes depending on the strength of the microwave. Make sure your pasta doesn’t boil over. (If the water gets absorbed but the pasta is still hard just add a few more tablespoons of water.)
3. Stir the milk and cheese of your choice into the pasta.
3. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until the cheese is melted into a creamy sauce. (vegan cheese takes longer to melt than dairy cheese.)
5. Enjoy your creamy, delicious mac and cheese. Feel free to add extra cheese on top or to add more seasonings like paprika and cayenne. You can different toppings as well, this is your mac and cheese and there are no rules.