Kamil Perry
Macaroni and cheese is a quick and easy dish to prepare, especially when using Kraft's boxed version. While the standard recipe on the box involves boiling water, cooking and draining the noodles, and then stirring in butter, milk, and cheese powder, there are several cooking hacks to accelerate the process and enhance the taste. These tricks include salting the water, cooking the pasta for less time, and preparing the sauce in a separate pan while the macaroni cooks. Additionally, replacing some of the butter with American cheese or adding ingredients like cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and milk can make the dish creamier and more flavorful.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time | 7-8 minutes |
| Water quantity | 5 cups |
| Salt | 1 spoonful |
| Butter | 2-4 tablespoons |
| Milk | 1/4 cup |
| American cheese | 3 slices |
| Sauce preparation | In a separate pan |
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What You'll Learn
Salt the water
Salting the water is a crucial step in crafting delicious macaroni and cheese. While it may seem insignificant, the salt in the water plays a pivotal role in seasoning the pasta itself. Here's why salting the water is essential and how to do it right:
The pasta in macaroni and cheese absorbs the salted water during cooking. This infuses the pasta with flavour from the inside out. Conversely, cooking pasta in unsalted water can result in bland, tasteless noodles. Even after adding the cheese sauce, the dish may still taste insipid. To compensate, you may be tempted to oversalt the sauce or add extra seasonings, disrupting the balance of flavours in your macaroni and cheese.
When salting the water for macaroni and cheese, be generous. Think of the salinity of ocean water as a benchmark. Add a good amount of salt, tasting the water to ensure it's well-seasoned. Remember, the salt needs to counterbalance the pasta's dryness and the volume of cheese sauce. A well-salted cooking water ensures the pasta absorbs enough seasoning to stand up to the richness of the sauce.
Tips for Salting the Water:
- Use a large saucepan to boil the water. This not only accommodates the pasta's expansion during cooking but also provides ample space for the salt to dissolve and distribute evenly.
- Bring the salted water to a rolling boil before adding the macaroni. This ensures the pasta cooks thoroughly and absorbs the salted water effectively.
- Avoid rinsing the pasta after draining it. Rinsing washes away any residual salt on the pasta's surface, potentially diminishing the overall flavour of your macaroni and cheese.
- If you forget to salt the water, you can salvage the situation by creating a slurry with cornstarch, water, and salt. Alternatively, you can adjust the seasoning of your cheese sauce, ensuring it's robust enough to compensate for the unsalted pasta.
In summary, salting the water for macaroni and cheese is a critical step that directly impacts the dish's flavour. By adding a generous amount of salt to the cooking water, you ensure that the pasta absorbs seasoning, resulting in a well-rounded, tasty macaroni and cheese.
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Cook pasta for less time
Cooking pasta for less time is a good way to accelerate the process of making macaroni and cheese. Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, for example, usually involves cooking the pasta for 7 to 8 minutes, or 7½ minutes according to the box instructions. However, you can reduce this cooking time by a minute or two to speed up the process.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the shape of the pasta. Shorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne generally take longer to cook, around 10 to 12 minutes. In contrast, dried ribbon-like pasta such as linguine, spaghetti, and tagliatelle typically cook faster, between 8 and 10 minutes.
To ensure that your pasta is cooked perfectly and safely, it is recommended to test it frequently and stop cooking when it is 'al dente'. 'Al dente' means that the pasta should have a slight bite to it, requiring a little effort to chew. This stage is crucial because cooking pasta for too long can result in a mushy, overcooked texture.
Additionally, when cooking pasta ahead of time, you can par-cook it and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready to serve, simply reheat the pasta by dunking it in boiling water for 30 seconds or heating it in a pan with sauce and reserved cooking water.
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Replace butter with cheese
If you're looking to cut down on butter, there are several alternatives you can use to achieve a similar or even better taste and texture in your mac and cheese.
One option is to use margarine instead of butter. It is made from vegetable oils, which means you can skip the saturated fat. It has a smoother texture and a more straightforward flavour than butter, and its thinner consistency can be beneficial or detrimental depending on your preference. Begin with half the amount of margarine the recipe calls for butter, then adjust to your taste. Opt for a margarine with a high fat content for better flavour and creaminess.
Another option is to use oil. Oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, canola oil, or avocado oil can be used to create unique flavours in the dish. For every tablespoon of butter, use three tablespoons of olive oil. If you want to use coconut oil, be careful not to use too much, as it can ruin the cheese sauce. Avocado oil, like olive oil, can add a nutty flavour to your mac and cheese.
You can also use cream cheese, which, despite seeming like an odd choice, brings a tangy richness to the dish. Use an equal amount of cream cheese to butter, and balance the texture with a splash of milk or cream, as cream cheese can make the dish too thick.
Ghee, a form of clarified butter, is another alternative. It has a golden hue and nutty essence that can bring a new dimension to your mac and cheese. Substitute ghee at a 1:1 ratio for butter, and be careful not to overheat it, as it has a higher smoke point than butter.
Some other substitutes for butter include mayonnaise, sour cream, yogurt, and tahini. Mayonnaise acts as a sauce thickener and lends a slight sweetness to the dish. Sour cream and yogurt add a tangy flavour, so add them gradually to adjust the taste to your preference. Tahini, made from toasted ground hulled sesame seeds, has a slightly nutty flavour and is a great option for those looking to add vegetables to the dish.
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Make sauce in a separate pan
Making the sauce in a separate pan is a great way to ensure your macaroni and cheese is creamy and smooth. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect sauce:
Prepare your ingredients
Gather your cheese, milk, butter or margarine, and any additional flavourings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, mustard, or salt and pepper. For Kraft Mac and Cheese, you'll be using the powdered cheese, butter or margarine, and milk. For a homemade sauce, you'll need a block of cheese, milk, butter, and flour.
Melt the butter or margarine
Place your pan on medium heat and melt your butter or margarine. You can also add in flavourings like garlic powder at this stage.
Add the dry ingredients
If making a homemade sauce, whisk in the flour, salt, and any other dry ingredients until you have a smooth mixture. This forms the base of your sauce, known as a "roux". Cook this mixture for about a minute, until it starts bubbling and thickens slightly.
Pour in the milk
Slowly add the milk to the pan, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Warming the milk slightly beforehand can help speed up this process. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens and becomes bubbly.
Add the cheese
Turn the heat down to low and slowly add your cheese. For Kraft Mac and Cheese, this will be the powdered cheese. For a homemade sauce, use freshly grated cheese for the best melt and texture. Add the cheese in small amounts, stirring until it melts before adding more. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed.
Combine with pasta
Once your sauce is smooth and silky, turn off the heat and add your cooked pasta to the pan. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
By making the sauce in a separate pan, you can ensure a creamy, clump-free macaroni and cheese. This method also allows you to adjust the sauce's consistency and flavour before mixing it with the pasta.
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Add extra ingredients
Adding extra ingredients to your macaroni and cheese is a great way to elevate the dish. Here are some ideas to take your basic mac and cheese to the next level:
Meats
Adding meat to your mac and cheese can increase the protein content of the meal and add extra flavour. Some popular options include crispy bacon bits, ham, and fried ground beef. You could also try drained tuna, either on its own or paired with mayonnaise and relish to make a tuna salad mac and cheese.
Vegetables
Vegetables can add texture, flavour, and nutritional value to your mac and cheese. Try adding frozen peas, spinach, cherry tomatoes, or chopped scallions to your dish. If you like spice, you could incorporate pickled jalapeños or chilli. For a more subtle flavour, sauté some kimchi before mixing it into your macaroni to reduce its acidity.
Cheeses
Using different types of cheese is an easy way to change the flavour of your mac and cheese. You could add slices of American cheese, grated cheddar, or any good melting cheese such as Fontina, Gruyère, or Jack. For an extra creamy texture, replace some of the margarine in your recipe with cheese.
Spices and Seasonings
Adding spices and seasonings can enhance the flavour of your mac and cheese. Try incorporating garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, paprika, or hot sauce. You could also add a pinch of salt to bring out the flavour of the other ingredients.
Toppings
Toppings can add a crunchy texture and extra flavour to your mac and cheese. Try adding a breadcrumb topping, made by melting butter in a pan and stirring in panko breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy, then sprinkle over your macaroni.
Feel free to experiment with different combinations of ingredients to find your favourite flavour profile!
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Frequently asked questions
You should cook the macaroni for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Start tasting after 5 minutes and cook until al dente.
You can make the sauce in a separate pan while the macaroni is cooking. First, melt butter in a pan over medium heat, then stir in the cheese powder and milk until smooth and creamy.
You can add salt to the water when cooking the pasta. You can also replace some of the butter or margarine with American cheese to make the dish creamier.
You can add ingredients like cream cheese, cheddar cheese, gruyere cheese, sour cream, shredded parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and bread crumbs.
