How to Cook Annie's Shells & White Cheddar Mac & Cheese in the MICROWAVE

white cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Low-fat cheddar reduces calories while maintaining flavor.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier and can be used for sautéing.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is a dairy-free option that adds flavor.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: soy milk

Almond milk is lower in calories than whole milk.

Take out the cheese packet from the Annie's mac and cheese box.

Put the macaroni in a microwave-safe bowl.

Add 1 and 3/4 cups of water to the bowl with the macaroni.

Stir the macaroni and water together.

Microwave on high for 3 minutes.

After 3 minutes, stir the macaroni and return it to the microwave for another 3 minutes.

Repeat this process for a total of three 3-minute microwaving sessions, stirring in between.

After the final 3 minutes, check the pasta for doneness; if it's too al dente, microwave for an additional minute.

Once cooked, add a little bit of margarine and a splash of milk to the pasta.

Add the cheese sauce from the Annie's box to the pasta and stir it in.

Let the mixture sit for a couple of minutes to firm up before serving.

Taste the mac and cheese to check for seasoning and consistency.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens