Microwave mac ’n’ cheese

Pasta, pronto! Jack Monroe's easiest ever macaroni and cheese makes a delicious solo supper or packed lunch – just pop it in the microwave at work

Prep:5 mins
Cook:7 mins
plus standing

Serves 1
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 601
fat 27g
saturates 17g
carbs 55g
sugars 2g
fibre 5g
protein 31g
salt 1.8g

Ingredients

75g macaroni or other pasta
250ml cold chicken stock, milk or water
2 tsp butter
50g cheddar, grated
handful spinach or ½ tsp Marmite (optional)

Tip

Take it to work

Pack a portable version to take to work. Swap the butter for oil and combine with the cheese in a small container. Put the pasta and the liquid in a separate container to soak, then follow the recipe method, but check your pasta more often as it may cook more quickly if it’s been soaking in the liquid.

Method

In a mug that holds twice the volume of your dry pasta (the bigger, the better), add the macaroni and your liquid of choice. Cover with cling film and pierce 3 times. Stand the mug in a microwave- proof bowl to catch any spillages, and cook on High for 2 mins. The liquid will bubble up and over the sides, so tip any liquid from the bowl back into the mug (be careful as it will be very hot) and give it a good stir. Leave to stand for 1 min.
Repeat twice more or until the pasta is cooked (it may take longer depending on the pasta), then remove from the microwave. Stir through the butter, cheese and spinach or Marmite, if using. The heat from the pasta should melt the cheese and wilt the spinach, but if not, pop back in the microwave for 30 secs.