Creamy Mac & Cheese with Chicken
Mac and cheese built from shelf-stable dairy and chicken. One pot, no cooler, actual nutrition.
- calories
- 570
- weight
- 6 oz
- cal / oz
- 95
- protein
- 18 g
- serves
- 2, scales
- prep
- 3 min
- cook
- 10 min
- total time
- 13 min
- water
- 530 ml boiled
- cost
- $
Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.
- Dinner
- Canister stove
- Alcohol / Esbit
- Liquid fuel
- Backpacking
- Thru-hike
- Nut free
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Basic
Ingredients
| Box of pasta and cheese (7.25 oz) | 1 box | standard size shells, elbows, or twists all work |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-dried cheddar cheese | 1/4 cup | keeps indefinitely; fresh cheddar works if carrying in a cooler |
| Full fat dry milk powder | 1 tbsp | |
| Butter powder | 1 tbsp | |
| Granulated onion powder | 1 tsp | |
| Granulated garlic powder | 1 tsp | |
| Chicken breast pouch or can | 2.6 oz pouch (or 4.5 oz can) | no draining needed for the pouch; canned works too |
Method
- Pour 530 ml of water into your pot along with the pasta box contents, freeze-dried cheese, dry milk, butter powder, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and boiling over.
- Once boiling, drop the heat to low and simmer for 8 minutes, stirring often, especially in the first couple minutes.
- Remove from heat. Tear open the chicken pouch and stir it in well. Stir again until everything is evenly blended.
- Let it sit for a minute and serve.
Freeze-dried dairy powder replaces fresh butter and milk, so you can leave the cooler at home. Cooking in minimal water lets the pasta hydrate with its own starch instead of boiling in excess—saves weight, saves fuel.
Powdered dairy needs stirring to blend properly, not just sitting. Freeze-dried cheese melts in at the end, and the chicken pouch adds protein without any refrigeration. The proportions are tight—full simmer time is non-optional.
Packing
Mix the pasta box contents, freeze-dried cheese, dry milk, butter powder, onion powder, and garlic powder in a quart freezer bag at home. Carry the chicken pouch separately so it doesn't get crushed.
Variations
- Use fresh cheddar in place of freeze-dried if you're starting from a cooler and using it within a day or two.
- Smoked paprika or hot sauce powder adds complexity beyond the blue box.
https://trailcooking.com/2023/10/05/the-only-backcountry-recipe-youll-need-for-easy-to-make-creamy-mac-cheese