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Dinner Β· Lunch

One-Pot Camp Stove Mac and Cheese

Macaroni cooked in just enough water to soak up, then stirred with milk, butter and cheddar. One pot, no draining.

⏱ 20 min (5 min prep, 15 min cooking) 🍽 Serves 4 · about 1¼ cups kid friendlyquickbudget vegetarian

In our collection Camping and campfire cooking: menu and shopping list β†’

πŸ“… Add to my plan

ContainsMilk, Wheat. Check the labels on what you buy; brands differ.

Ingredients

Make 4 servings
  • 3 cup Elbow macaroni, about 12 oz
  • 3 cup Water, safe drinking water
  • 1 cup Whole milk, or evaporated milk
  • 2 tbsp Butter, unsalted
  • 2 cup Shredded cheddar, shredded
  • Β½ tsp Table salt
  • 1 pinch Ground black pepper (to taste)

Make it yourself

Make the butter yourself β†’

In the planner, Make it on the shopping list swaps the store item for these ingredients and puts the work on your prep day.

Nutrition

Nutrition coming: the USDA numbers for these ingredients are being added.

Steps

You’ll need: 3- or 4-quart pot with a lid, camp stove, long spoon.

  1. Bring the water and salt to a boil in the pot over the camp stove.
  2. Add the macaroni and cook, stirring often, 8 to 10 minutes, until tender and most of the water is soaked up. Add a splash more water if it gets dry before the pasta is done.
  3. Turn the heat to low and stir in the milk and butter until hot, then the cheese a handful at a time until creamy. Season with pepper.
Make aheadShred the cheese at home and keep it in the cooler.
β†Ί LeftoversLeftovers are safe only while the cooler still has ice; otherwise throw them out (USDA). Pack out all trash and food scraps (Leave No Trace).
πŸ§’ With kidsKids can stir in the cheese, standing away from the stove with a long spoon.
Add ins swapStir in chopped hot dogs or leftover chili.
Shelf stable swapUse a can of evaporated milk instead of fresh milk; it needs no cooler until opened.

Goes well with

🌽 Foil-Packet Sausage, Potatoes and Corn

Good to know

Cooking Fats Compared Salted vs. unsalted butter Table salt vs. kosher salt vs. sea salt

An original Teddy Rook Book recipe, written for our Camping and campfire cooking collection; safety steps follow USDA. Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central and changes with brands and portions.