Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Pesto Mac and Cheese
Pesto Mac and Cheese brings together elbow macaroni, milk, and havarti cheese. Read what happens once the mixture comes to a boil. The quick notes will help you get the small jobs lined up before you start.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Original yield
- Serves 4
- Ingredients
- 8 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Sides
- Cuisine
- Italian
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 30 minutes or less
- Budget (estimated)
- Low cost
- Dietary characteristics
- Vegetarian
- Dish type
- Pasta
A few quick notes
1. Keep the first boil and the next step together
Read what happens once the mixture comes to a boil. Have the next ingredient or heat adjustment ready, and continue with the sequence the recipe gives.
2. Fold in at the stated step
Have the ingredient for folding in ready before you need it. Follow that mixing step as written, rather than putting every ingredient into the bowl at the start.
3. Have the whisking step ready
Set out the ingredients for the whisking step together. Follow that part of the preparation before moving to the next cooking or mixing stage.
Get to know the ingredients
Elbow macaroni
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Milk
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Add the milk and whisk until smooth.
Havarti cheese
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Stir in the shredded cheese and continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 4. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 6 steps completeMake room for Pesto Mac and Cheese
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Keep the last little job in mind
The recipe finishes with this step: Serve immediately. Set out what you need for that finish before the cooking gets busy.
A few questions you might have
What should I get ready before starting?
Set out the pot. Read the first preparation step before you get going: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Which little step is worth remembering?
Read what happens once the mixture comes to a boil. Have the next ingredient or heat adjustment ready, and continue with the sequence the recipe gives.
What check should I look for as it cooks?
Keep this part of the method in view: Stir in the shredded cheese and continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
How do I plan the ingredient amounts?
This version serves 4. Use the ingredient amounts listed for that yield. If you change the number of portions, check equipment and the full method as well as the shopping quantities.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: Spend With Pennies. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
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