Exciting news for pasta enthusiasts: mac and cheese isn’t just for lunch or dinner; it can also grace your breakfast table! This isn’t just a whimsical declaration of culinary freedom; mac and cheese offers a satisfying way to kickstart your morning while cleverly repurposing leftover pasta. Best of all, it’s incredibly quick to whip up! Embrace your adulting skills with a delightful bowl of breakfast mac and cheese.

At first, it may seem like the heaps of melted cheese are the star of the show when creating this dish. While cheese is indeed an important ingredient, the real champion here is the soft scrambled eggs. They contribute significantly to the sauce, enriching its texture and boosting nutritional value. When combined with a thoughtful selection of cheeses, the eggs create wonderful small curds that envelop the pasta. Each bite offers stretches of gooey cheese, providing a luxurious creamy experience, all while packing in the benefits of additional protein from the eggs.

How to Prepare Breakfast Mac and Cheese

Begin by selecting your choice of cheeses. Much like how a well-crafted grilled cheese relies on a proper cheese blend, the same is true for mac and cheese. Different cheeses melt in unique ways—some are stringy, while others melt beautifully and some maintain their structure. For a perfect blend of texture, consider using a soft havarti, sharp cheddar, and a dollop of cream cheese to create a luxurious base.

In a bowl, whisk together two eggs with a pinch of salt. In a skillet, melt a teaspoon of butter over medium-low heat. Introduce your cold leftover pasta to the skillet, allowing it to develop a few crispy bits. If your pasta is stubbornly stuck together, add a teaspoon of water and cover the skillet for a few moments to steam and loosen it.

At this point, adding a chopped chicken sausage can enhance the dish. Since the addition of the eggs will bring the whole creation together quickly, any vegetables, meats, or spices should be introduced now while the pasta warms. Using a rubber spatula, give everything a good stir. Once the pasta shows a few golden-brown spots, it’s time to add the cheeses and mix them in thoroughly before pouring in the beaten eggs.

Immediately turn off the heat after incorporating the eggs and stir to mix everything well. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it rest on the warm burner for two to three minutes. This allows the eggs to cook gently and the cheeses to melt entirely. Avoid keeping the heat on, as it could overcook the eggs and disrupt that creamy consistency—while still tasty, it won’t be the same indulgent texture.

After the resting period, take the lid off and give it another good stir. Garnish with some chopped chives for a pop of flavor and color. Then, fill a bowl with this golden creation. This dish is perfect for utilizing leftover pasta, but if you’re motivated, a quick boil of fresh noodles works just as well. Get creative with your mix-ins; toss in frozen peas, diced bell peppers, or crispy bacon for an even heartier breakfast.

Breakfast Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon butter
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup of cooked pasta, preferably leftover
• 1 sausage patty, chopped (or your choice of add-ins)
• 1 ounce of havarti cheese, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon cream cheese
• Chopped chives for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk the eggs and set aside. Heat a skillet over medium-low and add the butter. Mix in the leftover pasta and chopped sausage, along with a pinch of salt, stirring with a rubber spatula.
2. When the pasta begins to brown, stir in the chopped havarti, shredded cheddar, and cream cheese. Briefly mix before introducing the whisked eggs. Once combined, turn off the heat.
3. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it rest on the warm burner for 2-3 minutes. After this, uncover and stir the mixture. The cheese should be fully melted, and the eggs integrated. If the mixture seems too wet for your preference, you can cover it again and turn on the heat for a minute longer. Garnish with chives and savor every bite while it’s warm.