This recipe is from Consumer Reports, probably around the 80's somewhere. It is so easy and fast and delicious, and only one pot.

Consumer Reports’
One Pot Macaroni and Cheese

(Serves Two)

2 cups water
1/4 t salt
1 cup elbow macaroni
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 T margarine (or butter)
2 T heavy cream
Pinch each of paprika, white pepper and cayenne


Using a two-quart saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Stir in the macaroni and return the water to a boil. Stirring occasionally, continue boiling for four minutes. Then lower the heat to medium and continue to boil the macaroni with frequent stirring for seven more minutes. (You may need to reduce the heat to its lowest setting for the last two minutes to prevent sticking.) Add the remainder of the ingredients, stirring well until the cheese is melted.

(Total cost per serving: 45 cents.)

To modify and reduce saturated fat and salt, eliminate the salt, substitute low-cholesterol cheese and skim milk for the cheddar and the cream and add two teaspoons of fried onions (one small onion, chopped finely and fried in one teaspoon of canola oil in the pasta pot before you cook the pasta, then set the onion aside and add last to the above recipe).

(Total cost per serving: 48 cents.)

Enjoy!