1-Minute Creamy Microwave Mac & Cheese (with Cucumbers)

Name: 1-Minute Creamy Microwave Mac & Cheese (with Cucumbers)
Total time: 2 min
Yield: 1 people
Ingredients: 0.5 cup Pre-cooked Fiber-Enriched Macaroni; 0.25 cup Whole Milk; 0.5 tsp Cornstarch; 2 tbsp Mild Yellow Cheddar Cheese; 0.5 tsp Unsalted Butter; 1 pinch Salt; 1 count Mini Cucumbers

VegetarianUnder 15 MinsSnackKid-Friendly • Comfort FoodAmerican

Easy

2min

230kcal

1person

MACROS

per serving

※gProtein

◆gFat

▣gCarbs

◎gSugar

◇gFiber

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A clever microwave trick to turn pre-cooked pasta into a genuinely creamy, emulsified mac and cheese in 60 seconds, served with fresh cucumbers and strictly portioned to 8g of protein.

When you have pre-cooked noodles ready, making a truly creamy 1-Minute Creamy Microwave Mac & Cheese is incredibly easy if you know the secret ingredient: a tiny pinch of cornstarch. Instead of getting greasy, stringy cheese that just sits on top of the pasta, tossing the noodles with milk and cornstarch before adding the cheddar creates a luscious, glossy sauce right in the microwave. This kid-friendly 1-Minute Creamy Microwave Mac & Cheese hits exactly 8g of protein so it can be enjoyed multiple times a day without overdoing it, while fiber-enriched pasta provides a solid nutritional boost. Paired with perfectly crunchy cucumbers—the ultimate kid-approved veggie—this fast and comforting 1-Minute Creamy Microwave Mac & Cheese will be your new go-to snack.

Ingredients

70 g Pre-cooked Fiber-Enriched Macaroni (1/2 cup cooked)
4 tbsp Whole Milk
0.5 tsp Cornstarch
15 g Mild Yellow Cheddar Cheese (2 tbsp shredded)
0.5 tsp Unsalted Butter
1 pinch Salt
1 count Mini Cucumbers (sliced into coins)

Instructions

1
Place the cold pre-cooked fiber-enriched macaroni into a microwave-safe bowl.
2
Add the whole milk and cornstarch to the bowl, stirring very well until the starch is completely dissolved and invisible. This is the secret to a real, creamy sauce rather than just melted grease.
3
Microwave on high for 45 to 60 seconds, or until the milk is steaming hot and starts to slightly bubble and thicken.
4
Carefully remove from the microwave and immediately add the mild yellow cheddar cheese, unsalted butter, and salt.
5
Stir vigorously for about 30 seconds. The residual heat will melt the cheese and butter into the thickened milk, forming a perfectly smooth and glossy cheese sauce.
6
Serve immediately with the sliced mini cucumbers on the side, or mixed right in if preferred.

Chef's Tips

•Using cold, pre-cooked pasta is perfectly fine, just make sure to stir the milk and cornstarch thoroughly before heating so you don't get clumps.
•Stick exactly to the 2 tablespoons of cheddar to keep the protein precisely at 8g for the serving.
•Do not skip the butter; even a tiny amount helps emulsify the sauce to make it taste like stovetop mac and cheese.