8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners (2024)

FAQs

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners? ›

Boil it better

Skip the draining step, and add more milk as the noodles cook, if needed. Once al dente, stir in an extra 1 cup of shredded cheese and voila: less powdered cheese flavor, more homemade vibes and a hint of cheesy goodness infused right into the macaroni itself.

Boil it better

Skip the draining step, and add more milk as the noodles cook, if needed. Once al dente, stir in an extra 1 cup of shredded cheese and voila: less powdered cheese flavor, more homemade vibes and a hint of cheesy goodness infused right into the macaroni itself.

Spice it up

Ree loves to boost the flavor of her homemade macaroni and cheese with dried mustard, cayenne pepper, paprika, and thyme, and you can do the same with boxed mac and cheese. Just add one or more of the spices to the pot along with the powdered cheese, milk, and butter, whisking to combine.

Throw in some steamed mixed veggies. (You can steam frozen ones in the microwave) and some panko crumbs on top for some nice crunch. Spoon some salsa or stewed tomatos over the top of the mac and cheese. Adds flavor and color.

Mac and Cheese Add-Ins

"I added onion powder, Parmesan cheese and a little bit of cayenne pepper," says RRL. "I always recommend using different cheeses for taste. I use white cheddar and four cheese Mexican blend together," says Angel. "I like to add diced ham and peas or diced chicken and broccoli…" says Fred Cannon.

Add 1 tablespoon of milk per cup of mac and cheese. *If you'd like to add more creaminess and flavor, substitute half-and-half or cream. 3. Cover with an inverted plate, making sure to use oven mitts when removing from the microwave to avoid burning yourself.

The preferred mac-and-cheese utensil among adults was a fork – by a wide margin. Seventy-one percent of adults said they preferred to eat their macaroni and cheese with a fork, whereas only 28 percent said they favor a spoon.

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce.

You can thicken cheese sauce further by adding more flour or even using a couple of teaspoons of cornstarch. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch or flour with a cup of water. The cold water will create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the cheese sauce over medium heat, and let the sauce boil and thicken.

How to jazz up mac and cheese? ›

Spices: A little garlic powder and onion powder goes a long way in making this the best easy mac and cheese ever! Definitely don't skimp on these. You could also add a bit of paprika, black pepper, or even a splash of hot sauce if you want to amp up the flavor even more.

Use the Oven to Reheat

He also notes that this method works best for recipes that are baked, rather than stirred. Break up any clumps of the leftovers in a mixing bowl and add one tablespoon of milk per cup of macaroni and cheese. Add a little bit of extra cheese, and then fill a casserole dish with the mixture.

The USDA recommends thawing in the fridge for food safety. An alternative is to defrost in the microwave if the dish fits and can be placed in the microwave. Once your dish of macaroni and cheese is fully defrosted, follow the baking instructions.

Crispy and golden breadcrumbs are the most traditional addition to mac and cheese. The interplay of texture between soft pasta and rich, buttery breadcrumbs is the reason why this combination has endured the test of time.