Powder Cheese Pasta
Cheese macaroni built from butter powder and cheese powder. All the richness, none of the refrigeration.
- calories
- 950
- weight
- 7.5 oz
- cal / oz
- 127
- protein
- 35 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 13 min
- total time
- 15 min
- water
- 600 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
- Backpacking
- Thru-hike
- Vegetarian
- Nut free
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Elbow macaroni | 4 oz | about 1 cup dry |
|---|---|---|
| Dry cheese powder | 7 tbsp | |
| Milk powder | 6 tbsp | |
| Butter powder | 1 tbsp | |
| Onion powder | 1/2 tsp | |
| Black pepper | a pinch |
Method
- Bring 600 ml of water to a boil in your pot.
- Add the macaroni and stir often. Cook for about 7 minutes, watching for boiling over and keeping the flame steady.
- Remove from heat. Add all the powder ingredients at once and stir until no lumps remain.
- Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. The sauce thickens as it cools slightly.
- Eat it straight from the pot while hot. It will set solid if you leave it.
This is macaroni and cheese with the weight removed. Butter powder and milk powder give you richness without refrigeration or ounces. The pasta cooks in just enough water that when you add the powder mix to the hot pot, everything hydrates into actual sauce instead of broth or paste. Too much water and you have soup. Too little and you have a brick.
Stirring during the boil prevents scorching on the bottom and keeps it from boiling over. The 5-minute rest lets the powders finish hydrating while the noodles soften a touch more. This is a complete dinner that tastes real, not like trail compromise.
Packing
Put the pasta in one bag. Mix the cheese powder, milk powder, butter powder, onion powder, and pepper in a second bag so you are stirring in one thing instead of measuring five at camp.
Variations
- Add a foil packet of freeze-dried peas or corn for texture and color.
- Stir in a packet of dehydrated tuna or chicken for another 15 grams of protein.
- Sprinkle hot sauce powder or cayenne on top for heat.
https://trailcooking.com/2024/05/07/taking-a-recipe-and-redoing-it-macaroni-and-cheese