Mac And Cheese: Quick Microwave Cooking

Macaroni and cheese is a staple food for many, especially for those on a budget or with children. It's also a great go-to for a quick and easy meal. While it can be made on a stovetop, in the oven, or by other means, using a microwave is a popular option. This is partly because it's so quick and easy to make, with most recipes requiring just 3 ingredients and 5–7 minutes of cook time. It's also a lot safer than boiling water on the stovetop, especially if you have children.

Choosing the right pasta shape

When it comes to mac and cheese, the pasta you choose is just as important as the cheese. While the classic choice is elbow macaroni, there are many other shapes that can be used to create a delectable dish.

The key is to choose a pasta shape that will hold on to the rich cheese sauce. Avoid long, thin pastas like spaghetti, angel hair, linguine, and fettuccine, which are not ideal for grabbing and holding the sauce. Instead, opt for pasta shapes with "nooks and crannies". These include hollow and tubular shapes such as penne, ziti, and campanelle, a bell-shaped pasta with fluted edges. Shells of varying sizes are also a great option, as they create little pockets for the sauce to nestle in.

If you're looking for something a little more unique, fusilli, farfalle, or rotini can add some interesting textures and shapes to your mac and cheese. Cavatappi, also known as "double elbows", is another excellent choice with its short, ridged, tubular shape that allows the sauce to soak in and penetrate the pasta.

When making mac and cheese, it's also important to choose dried pasta over fresh. Dried pasta holds its structure better than fresh pasta, which is crucial when dealing with a thick and heavy cheese sauce.

So, the next time you're making mac and cheese, don't be afraid to experiment with different pasta shapes! Just remember to look for those with nooks and crannies to ensure your dish is extra cheesy and delicious.

Selecting the best cheese

When it comes to selecting the best cheese for your macaroni and cheese, there are several options to consider, each offering a unique flavour and texture to elevate your dish. Here are some popular choices:

Cheddar Cheese

A classic choice for macaroni and cheese is cheddar cheese. Its sharp flavour and melting properties make it an ideal option for creating a creamy and flavourful dish. You can opt for either white or regular cheddar, depending on your preference. White cheddar adds a creamy texture, while regular cheddar provides a more pronounced flavour.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is another excellent choice for macaroni and cheese. It has a mild, buttery flavour and melts easily, making it perfect for creating a smooth and creamy sauce. Combining Monterey Jack with cheddar cheese creates a delicious blend that balances sharpness and creaminess.

Gruyere

If you're looking for a more sophisticated flavour, Gruyere cheese is a great option. It has a slightly sweet and nutty flavour that adds depth to your macaroni and cheese. Gruyere melts beautifully, ensuring a creamy and indulgent texture.

American Cheese

American cheese is known for its exceptional melting qualities, making it a popular choice for macaroni and cheese. It has a mild, creamy flavour that blends seamlessly with other ingredients. American cheese also tends to be very stretchy, creating those irresistible cheese pulls.

Cream Cheese

For an extra indulgent touch, consider adding some cream cheese to your macaroni and cheese. It adds a rich and creamy texture that takes your dish to the next level. Cream cheese is especially useful if you're looking for an extra creamy sauce without having to add too much additional liquid.

Other Options

Feel free to experiment with other cheese varieties to find your perfect combination. Some people enjoy using Parmesan, mozzarella, or even goat cheese and feta crumbles. You can also spice things up with hot sauces or add-ins like vegetables or meats.

The importance of a deep bowl

When cooking macaroni and cheese in the microwave, it is important to use a deep bowl to prevent spillovers. The water can bubble up and get foamy during the initial cooking stage, so a deeper bowl helps contain this and prevents a mess in your microwave.

A deep bowl also allows for more even cooking of the pasta. With a deeper bowl, you can stir the pasta more easily, ensuring that all the pieces are cooked evenly. This is especially important if you are cooking a larger batch.

Additionally, a deep bowl helps to distribute the heat more evenly, reducing the risk of overcooking or undercooking. It is safer, as the water is less likely to spill over and cause burns or scalding. It also means you are less likely to have to clean your microwave after each use.

The size of the bowl is important for the overall success of your macaroni and cheese. A larger, deeper bowl helps to ensure that the pasta cooks thoroughly and efficiently, and it also means you can add extra ingredients without worrying about the bowl overflowing. This is particularly useful if you are cooking for a family or a group of friends and need to make a larger batch.

A deep bowl is, therefore, a crucial component of successfully cooking macaroni and cheese in the microwave. It ensures even cooking, prevents messes, and allows for customisation and larger batch sizes.

How to avoid overcooking

Macaroni and cheese is a quick and easy meal to make in the microwave, but it can be easy to overcook it. Here are some tips to avoid overcooking your mac and cheese:

Use a large, deep bowl: The pasta and water will expand as they heat up, and the water can bubble up and get very foamy. To avoid boil-overs, use a larger bowl than you think you need. A medium to large microwave-safe bowl is best.

Microwave in intervals: Don't try to cook the pasta all at once. Microwave on high power for 2 minutes, then stir. Continue cooking in 2-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the pasta is soft and cooked through. This will take 4 to 8 minutes, depending on your microwave strength.

Add water as needed: If the pasta absorbs all the water before it's fully cooked, add another 2 tablespoons of water and continue microwaving in intervals until it's done.

Don't overcook the pasta: Follow the recommended cooking time for your microwave. Overcooking the pasta will result in a mushy texture.

Let it sit: After you've added the cheese and other ingredients, let the dish sit for a minute to allow the cheese sauce to thicken and improve the overall creaminess of the dish.

Stir thoroughly: Make sure to stir the pasta and cheese sauce well to ensure an even distribution of flavor and prevent clumps of cheese from forming.

Adjust for your microwave: Microwaves vary in wattage, so adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve perfectly cooked pasta for your specific model. Start with a shorter time and increase as needed.

By following these tips, you can avoid overcooking your microwave mac and cheese and enjoy a delicious and creamy dish.

Customising with toppings

Microwave mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be customised with various toppings to elevate the flavour and make it more fun. Here are some ideas for toppings to dress up your microwave mac and cheese:

Extra cheese

For an extra cheesy kick, sprinkle on some shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, or any other cheese of your choice. This will add a creamy texture and enhance the overall cheesiness of the dish.

Cooked, crumbled bacon

Adding cooked, crumbled bacon brings a savoury, smoky flavour to the mac and cheese. It pairs well with the creaminess of the dish and adds a nice textural contrast.

Fresh herbs

Chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, chives, or green onions not only add a pop of colour to your mac and cheese but also bring a fresh, herbal flavour to the dish.

Hot sauce or Sriracha

For those who like it spicy, a dash of hot sauce or Sriracha will kick the heat up a notch. It adds a nice punch of flavour and can be adjusted to your preferred spice level.

Grilled chicken

Sliced grilled chicken is a great way to add some protein to your mac and cheese. It pairs well with the cheese and can be seasoned in various ways to complement the dish.

Ground beef or turkey

For a heartier meal, crumbled ground beef or turkey can be mixed into the mac and cheese. It adds a savoury, meaty flavour and a different texture to the dish.

Avocado or guacamole

Avocado or a dollop of guacamole brings a creamy, cool contrast to the dish. It adds a healthy dose of good fats and can be seasoned with a bit of lime juice and chilli flakes for extra flavour.

Steamed broccoli, halved cherry tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms

For a vegetable boost, steamed broccoli florets, halved cherry tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms can be mixed into the mac and cheese. They add colour, texture, and a healthy twist to the dish.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with other toppings of your choice. You can also combine multiple toppings to create unique flavour profiles and make your microwave mac and cheese a truly personalised, mouthwatering treat.

Frequently asked questions