Another Pinterest Failure: The Make Your Own Easy Mac Pin, and how to do it better.

We've all seen that Pin.... that one that looks so easy and delicious. That make your own "Easy Mac" Pin. That Mug of Macaroni Pin. This Pin.

Mmmm... looks so delicious and creamy right? Well I decided to try it today, and it didn't exactly look like that. It looked like this.

Yeah. Gross. 

The problem, like most things on Pinterest, is the picture doesn't actually lead to anything. It doesn't lead you to a website telling you how to make it. It leads you to a page saying that the Pin has been blocked for misleading information or something like that. 

The text on the actual Pin does give ingredients though. It says: "QUIT buying easy mac, people! Instant Mug o Mac Cheese in the Microwave: 1/3 cup pasta, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup 1% milk, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese"

I did change a couple of things. I used whole grain macaroni noodles, reduced fat cheddar, and skim milk, to make it a little more healthy. The only thing that the Pin doesn't say though, is how long to microwave it for. So I threw everything in the mug and tried 2 minutes. Nothing happened. 3 minutes, and it boiled over causing a huge mess in my microwave. I cleaned it up and tried another minute, and this is the product I got. The noodles were very, very undercooked, and there was still a little bit of milk/water mixture on the bottom, but the cheese was beginning to burn and stick to the mug in terrible ways. So I tried it, and it didn't taste like anything. I added garlic powder, fresh ground pepper, and seasoned salt and that made it slightly more tolerable. This whole thing was a huge mess though, so I want to tell you a much, much easier way to do this and to enjoy it too.

First, scratch the mug idea. It's cute, and seems easy, but it causes a huge mess.

I will be using the same amount of ingredients, if you want to make it for two people, double the amount.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup whole grain or whole wheat macaroni pasta.

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup skim milk

1/2 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Creates 1 serving (about 1 cup)

- Put the milk and the water into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once the mixture is boiling add the macaroni noodles. Cook noodles until soft.

Note: To add more flavor at this point, add to the milk and water a pinch of minced garlic or garlic powder, or add some minced onions, or even better, some little bits of fresh broccoli.

- Once the noodles are cooked and still hot, remove from heat and immediately add the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix in with the noodles until melted.

- Add salt and pepper to taste. You could also add a pinch of cayenne if you really want to give it some good flavor.

-Transfer to bowl (or mug, if you really have to).

Voila. Same thing, less mess. Plus it tastes  and looks ten times better...

And it's only 6 Weight Watchers points per serving! (if you use my healthier ingredients) :)

PS: I've lost 8 pounds so far!