Vegan Microwave Mug Macaroni Cheese

Microwave mug macaroni is the perfect quick meal for one. It's perfect for a comforting lunch or an easy dinner. Less dishes to wash too. 

Microwave Cooking

When my last microwave died, I decided not to replace it. 

I managed without a microwave for two years, then my young son said he'd like to make his own porridge in the morning and I thought microwave it is. 

Much safer than letting a child use a cooker. As long as they are shown how to use it properly and safely of course.

And so we bought another microwave.

I can't say I use it a lot. I heat baked beans and soup in it and if I'm short of time I bake potatoes in it too.

I admit it is used to heat the odd microwave meal too.

That's about it. It's not my most used kitchen gadget.

That's all about to change.......

Quick Microwave Meals

I've decided to create a range of quick microwave meals which are perfect for a single portion for lunch or dinner.

These tasty recipes will give you options when you're at home and want something hot without too much effort (and lots of dishes) or at work when you only have a microwave available to cook in.

These recipes will be perfect for students in student accommodation and a great way to teach children to cook simple meals.

I'm starting off this range of easy recipes with this vegan microwave mug macaroni.

This one is vegan, but my vegetarian readers may use their usual milk and cheese.

Vegan Microwave Mug Macaroni

My first microwave recipe is mac and cheese made in a mug.

It's super simple to make and absolutely comforting, like a hug in a mug!

Just imagine homemade macaroni cheese where you don't have to take time to make a cheese sauce. No standing at the pot whisking frantically so you don't get any lumps.

There's no waiting for water to boil before you can even start cooking the pasta. 

When it's made there's less washing up and if you're only making enough for one or two then there isn't so much mac and cheese left that you could invite the rest of the street for dinner and there's no over-indulging.

Of course if you're serving mac and cheese up to a family then make macaroni cheese the traditional way in a pot or make my luxury slow cooker mac and cheese, but for a quick meal, for less mess or when you only have a microwave to use then this is the recipe for you.

also try - Vegan Creamy Cheese Pasta Salad

Tips for cooking pasta in a mug

1. Your mug must be microwave safe.
2. Use a large mug or soup mug. A small teacup is too small.
3. Add double the quantity of water to pasta.
4. Keep an eye on it, the water will start bubbling up and spill over after a few minutes in the microwave. 
5. Once the water has bubbled up, you will have to stop it and start again a few times. This will also give you a chance to give it a stir and see if it's nearly ready.
6. When lifting out your cup, remember it can be hot so be careful. The body of the mug will usually be hotter, so pick up my the handle, which is cooler or use an oven mitt.
7. Microwaves come with different wattage, so some are more powerful than others, so some recipes will be quicker than stated and some will take longer. Once again you will have to keep an eye on the pasta.
8. Each pasta shape may take more or less time to cook, depending on size and density. Just make sure there is still water in the mug if it is taking longer.
9. If there is a lot of water left in the mug, drain out before adding the sauce ingredients.
10. Tossing a little cornflour (corn starch) into the cooked pasta, will help thicken the sauce.

Microwave Pasta Cook Times

Microwaves have different power levels. Here are the approximate times for cooking elbow macaroni in a microwave. 

Other pasta shapes may take less or more time.

Microwave settings and cook times

• 700 watts = 8 minutes
• 800 watts = 7 minutes
• 900 watts = 6 minutes 15 seconds
• 1000 watts = 5 minutes 35 seconds

also try Easy Microwave Jam Sponge Pudding

How to make macaroni cheese in a microwave

Step-by-step photos

Step 1 - Pasta

Measure dried pasta into a large, microwave safe mug.

Step 2 - Water

Add cold water to the mug. You are looking for double the water to pasta.

Step 3 - Cook

Microwave the pasta on full. Keep an eye on it as it will bubble over if you leave it. 

Once it bubbles up, open the microwave, give the pasta stir, close the door and continue cooking. You will need to do this a few times before the pasta is cooked. 

Step 4 - Cornflour

Add a spoonful of cornflour (also known as corn starch) to the cooked pasta and stir through. This will help to thicken the sauce.

Step 5 - Milk

Add milk to the pasta. I used Oatly milk, which is oat-based, dairy-free. You can use your preferred milk.

Step 6 - Cream cheese

Add cream cheese to the mug. This will melt and give the pasta a lovely creamy sauce. You can skip the cream cheese but it makes a far superior sauce.

I used Violife vegan cream cheese, you can use your favourite cream cheese.

Step 7 - Grated cheese

Next add grated cheese. You can just add grated cheddar, but I find vegan cheddar very mild in flavour, so I add vegan style parmesan too for extra flavour.

You can just use cheddar or like me use parmesan too.

I used Violife cheddar and Violife Prosociano, which is their vegan alternative to parmesan and has that lovely tangy and strength of flavour. You may have your own favourites.

Step 8 - Finish cooking

Pop your pasta back in the microwave to melt the cheese, stopping it to stir the sauce.

Enjoy your freshly made, creamy mac and cheese!

Scroll down for a full printable recipe.

also try- Microwave Apple Sponge Pudding

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Vegan Microwave Mug Macaroni Cheese

A quick recipe for a single serving of macaroni cheese made in a microwave in minutes. This mac and cheese recipe is perfect for a comforting lunch or easy dinner for one. It's a good recipe for kids to learn to make or for students who don't have a full kitchen. A vegan recipe that's easy to make.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXRGPpEfal2dfnjk9O_IB1aDbNmFpApVfGFK5tDcUxBSyysnkC9QbzAs-rjCEWxkOmbgKOOxbw46rKxx8iAHbPG6IldKuR05ZvsPCxl_ubZYAlOivOyO9PUQV3xGvJVU1ubu96ZRqGJ8/s1600/Microwave+Mug+Macaroni.jpg2020-02-05

Yield: 1

Author: Jacqueline Meldrum

Vegan Microwave Mug Macaroni Cheese

Microwave mug macaroni is the perfect quick meal for one. It's perfect for a comforting lunch or an easy dinner. Less dishes to wash too.

prep time: 3 Mcook time: 8 Mtotal time: 11 M

ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried macaroni
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp cornflour (corn starch)
• 2 tbsp oat milk (or your preferred milk)
• 1 tbsp vegan cream cheese
• 3 tbsp grated vegan parmesan
• 4 tbsp grated vegan cheddar (more if you like)
• salt and pepper

instructions:

How to cook Vegan Microwave Mug Macaroni Cheese

1. Pour your dried pasta into your large microwave safe mug.
2. Pour over double the amount (1 cup) water and microwave for 7 minutes on high  at  800 watt (see notes for microwaves with different wattage).
3. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't boil over. Once it starts boiling up to the rim you will have to open the door every 10-12 seconds to stop it bubbling up but it's a good chance to give it a stir.
4. If there is a lot of water left in the mug when the pasta is cooked, drain it. I didn't need to do this.
5. Stir cornflour into the cooked pasta, then add the milk,  cream cheese, grated cheese and season with salt and pepper.
6. Microwave until the cheese has melted, stirring as you go.
7. Enjoy!

NOTES:

Microwave settings and cook times:

700 watts = 8 minutes
800 watts = 7 minutes
900 watts = 6 minutes 15 seconds
1000 watts = 5 minutes 35 seconds

Use a large mug or soup mug. A small teacup is too small.

When lifting out your cup, remember it can be hot so be careful. The body of the mug will usually be hotter, so pick up my the handle, which is cooler or use an oven mitt.

Each pasta shape may take more or less time to cook, depending on size and density. Just make sure there is still water in the mug if it is taking longer.

Calories
323.42

Fat (grams)
17.12

Sat. Fat (grams)
9.02

Carbs (grams)
27.87

Fiber (grams)
1.38

Net carbs
26.49

Sugar (grams)
2.85

Protein (grams)
14.36

Sodium (milligrams)
730.04

Cholesterol (grams)
35.64

Created using The Recipes Generator