Basil Pesto Cheese Macaroni
Easy Basil Pesto Cheese Macaroni Made in a Rice Cooker
This recipe shows you how to make delicious macaroni using just your rice cooker! It’s a wonderfully simple way to enjoy macaroni infused with basil pesto, offering a subtly seasoned yet rich flavor. Perfect for a quick snack or a special meal!
Ingredients- Macaroni 5 handfuls (approx. 0.5 cup)
- Basil pesto, heaped 1.5 Tbsp
- 1 slice of processed cheese
- Minced garlic 0.5 Tbsp
- Water 1 cup
- Salt 0.5 tsp
- Olive oil or vegetable oil 0.5 Tbsp
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the macaroni. Since the macaroni pieces are small, they fill up a cup quickly. For one serving, about half a cup is a good amount for a satisfying portion. (5 handfuls of macaroni is roughly equivalent to half a cup.) If you’re making enough for two people, prepare 1 cup of macaroni.
Step 2
Now, we’ll use the rice cooker to cook the macaroni. In the inner pot of the rice cooker, add 0.5 tsp of salt, 0.5 Tbsp of olive oil (or any cooking oil you prefer), and 1 cup of water. Then, add 0.5 Tbsp of minced garlic and mix well. Select the ‘Multi-cook’ or ‘Steam’ function on your rice cooker and set it to cook for 15 minutes. (For a 2-person portion, you can use 1.5 cups of macaroni and the same amount of water (1 cup) and cook for 15 minutes using the multi-cook function. Macaroni is small and thin, so 15 minutes is sufficient. Be careful not to add more than 2 cups of water, as it might overflow from the rice cooker.)
Step 3
Once the cooking is done, the rice cooker will still be warm. Carefully drain most of the cooking liquid, leaving about 3 tablespoons behind in the pot. Tear the slice of processed cheese into small pieces and add it to the pot. Stir gently until the cheese melts completely, thanks to the residual heat. (Feel free to adjust the amount of cheese to your liking; using 2 slices of processed cheese will give a richer cheesy flavor. Any type of processed cheese works well, and mozzarella cheese is also a great option! Stir until the cheese is fully incorporated. If it tastes a bit bland, you can add a tiny pinch more salt. If you forgot to add the minced garlic earlier, you can add it at this stage.)
Step 4
Finally, stir in 1.5 Tbsp of basil pesto and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined, and your delicious Basil Pesto Cheese Macaroni is ready! (You can use store-bought basil pesto or your homemade version; both are excellent. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding other dried herbs like oregano or garlic powder to enhance the aroma and taste.)
