This 2-Ingredient Mac & Cheese Is My New Favorite Recipe

We've all seen our fair share of viral pasta trends circulating the internet. Shoutout to baked feta pasta, baked boursin pasta, and pasta chips! I'm always down for a new approach to pasta, but there's something about mac and cheese that holds an extra special place in my heart. The sense of nostalgia, fun, growing up and sharing a pot of mac and cheese, and even today, the excitement on my toddler's face when I tell her it's going to be a mac and cheese night, never fails to lighten the mood and get everyone's appetites rumbling.

So when I saw a viral one pot, 2-ingredient mac and cheese recipe making waves across the internet, and also making me very hungry, I knew I had to try this one out myself. My family did not object (not entirely shocking, I know). I headed straight to Trader Joe's, grabbed a package of pasta and a container of cheese spread, and returned to my kitchen to do some hands-on research!

What Is The Viral 2-Ingredient Trader Joe's Mac and Cheese?

This mac and cheese hack is as simple as picking up two ingredients from Trader Joe's: pasta and the Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread. It has become wildly popular across TikTok, and all it requires you to do is stir the cheese spread into freshly cooked, very hot pasta. In mere moments, a creamy, thick consistency forms—the spread finds its way into every nook and cranny of the pasta for one melty, warm, cheesy bite after another. And voila! You have yourself a pot of delicious mac and cheese the entire family can enjoy any night of the week.

Does the 2-Ingredient Trader Joe's Mac and Cheese Live Up to the Hype?

Absolutely! This mac and cheese is incredibly rich, flavorful, delicious, and you'll be hard pressed to find an easier recipe to prepare. This recipe is now a current favorite in our weeknight meal rotation! In fact, my daughter took the spread out of the refrigerator the other night and asked me to make "the macaroni" for dinner. I immediately knew what she was referring to. If you're craving mac and cheese, trying to squeeze every bit of value out of the week's grocery haul, or just looking for a quick, simple, and super satisfying weeknight meal idea, this is it. I highly recommend working this into your weeknight dinner rotation this week, and making extras, because the flavor will have everyone coming back for a second serving.

How to Make the Viral Trader Joe's Mac & Cheese

This 3-step mac and cheese is ready to serve in about 10 minutes, with minimal effort required. It's rich, hearty, flavorful, and there are tons of ways to jazz it up according to your personal preferences. For an even more enjoyable consistency, I added reserved pasta water to my mac and cheese, giving it a glossy appearance and an even creamier consistency. It also helps to revive the mac and cheese later if you're preparing it ahead of time. Here's how to make it.

• 1 cup of dried pasta (my daughter loves Trader Joe's Organic Pasta Quintet)
• 3 tablespoons Trader Joes Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread (more if you want it extra cheesy and rich!)

1. Boil pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain and return the pasta to the pot.
2. Stir in Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread, and 1-2 tablespoons of pasta water at a time until you reach your desired consistency. (Tip: you're looking for that ASMR pasta sound).

Ideas for Jazzing Up Trader Joe's 2-Ingredient Mac & Cheese

• Switch up the spread: The Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread doesn't come in just the original flavor—there are often seasonal flavors available, like the version with Hatch Chile, which makes a great green chile mac and cheese.
• Spice it up! Finish each serving with chopped fresh parsley, chili crisp, and a generous sprinkle of Trader Joe's Crispy Jalapeno Pieces for added heat, flavor, and texture.
• Stir in dijon mustard: This is a secret ingredient to unlock mac and cheese magic! Acidity in mustard compliments the rich flavor and creamy texture of this cheese spread, adding a tangy bite and rounding out a perfect balance of flavor.
• Sprinkle on everything bagel seasoning: For some extra crunch and garlicky flavor, either stir about a tablespoon of everything bagel seasoning into the mac and cheese, or finish each serving with a generous sprinkle.
• Get your veg: There will be no Battle of the Vegetables tonight! Add some boiled and chopped broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus to your mac and cheese for some added texture, color, and rich earthy flavor. As a mom, this is a go-to method for incorporating some extra veggies into the weeknight mix.
• Add chopped fresh sage: Pick up some fresh sage to transform this mac and cheese into an elegant dish with a beautiful depth of earthy, distinct flavor. Finely chop the sage and stir ½ teaspoon into the hot pot of finished mac and cheese before serving.
• Mix in some bone broth: For added richness and savory flavor, use bone broth instead of pasta water.