I have come to a revelation. One that has shaped my final year here on campus for the better. Noodles and Company is known for its Wisconsin Mac and Cheese, and while I cannot guarantee that this is as good, it comes close — close enough that you can find comfort without a 30-minute drive and spending money. I have always been disappointed by the mac and cheese that Stav offers, so I propose this simple, three-ingredient, eight-step, two-minute Stav recipe to satiate any mac and cheese craving you may have — guaranteed to be available every single day in the caf. 

Directions

1. Obtain a bowl — the size depends on the amount of food you want.
2. Head to the pasta line and ask for two scoops of plain pasta.
3. Head to the tortilla line. Scoop shredded cheese on top of the plain pasta until it is covered in a roughly half-inch layer of cheese — about three scoopfuls.
4. Go to the coffee station. In the fridge, get the half and half, and pour some onto the contents of the bowl. Be generous. Don’t make it soupy, but enough to coat the pasta and cheese with a thin layer of half and half. While you’re over here, grab a fork.
5. Backtrack to the condiments by the drink station on the right side of the caf, where the microwave is located.
6. Mix up the contents of the bowl.
7. Put the entire bowl, except the fork, into the microwave for 60-90 seconds.
8. Take it out and mix it up again, and you have gooey, cheesy, delicious mac and cheese ready to consume. You may garnish with salt and pepper for additional flavor.

Words cannot explain how life-changing this has been. Mac and cheese is undeniably a comfort food, so treat yourself during finals season to this easy, comforting, and significantly improved version of Stav mac and cheese.