Go Back

One-Pot Creamy Shells and Cheese Plus Bonus Taco Mac Hack

Rebecca Lindamood
One-Pot Creamy Shells and Cheese takes creamy mac and cheese to new heights of decadence and ease while only dirtying one pan. For creamy mac lovers and last minute mac and cheese cravings. Bonus: 2-Ingredient Taco Mac Hack included in the recipe!

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound small shells pasta Do NOT use medium shells.
  • 4 cups milk plus extra, in case!
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup grated extra sharp Cheddar cheese
  • freshly ground pepper to taste

Optional for Taco Mac:

  • Fully cooked taco meat or browned chorizo
  • Candied Jalapenos

Instructions
 

  • Add the small shells, milk, butter, mustard, salt, garlic and onion powder to a large saucepan over medium heat. Stirring nearly constantly and taking care to scrape the spoon across the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking and scorching, slowly bring the mixture to a simmer then drop the heat to LOW. Don't forget this or you'll be sorry!
  • Continue stirring and simmering the pasta for about 15 minutes, or until the milk is almost completely absorbed. Test a piece of pasta (carefully, though, because this stuff is MOLTEN at this point.) If the pasta isn't fully cooked and the milk is almost gone, add more milk in -1/4 cup at a time- until the pasta is fully cooked. This will add a small amount of cooking time (3-5 minutes) to the overall cooking time.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the grated cheese.
  • Put a lid on the pan and let it rest, undisturbed for 3-5 minutes. Give it one more stir and taste. Add the black pepper to taste and serve hot.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly lidded container and heated up with a splash of milk in the microwave or in a saucepan.

To Make Taco Mac:

  • Sprinkle re-heated taco meat or crispy brown chorizo over bowls of hot Creamy Shells and Cheese and top with candied jalapenos if desired.

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

did you make this recipe?

Make sure to tag @foodiewithfam on Instagram and #hashtag it #foodiewithfamily so I can check it out!