Andy Montoya
Macaroni and cheese is a classic, comforting dish that's easy to make and a favourite for many. But sometimes, you might want to take your macaroni and cheese to the next level. There are plenty of ways to elevate this simple dish, from adding different cheeses, meats, and sauces to incorporating leftovers. Whether you're starting from scratch or using a boxed mix, there are tons of ways to boost your macaroni and cheese and make it a more indulgent meal.
Ways to boost your macaroni and cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Increase the amount of cheese, or use cream cheese, Gruyère, yellow cheddar, white cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan |
| Sauce | Create your own cheese sauce, use jarred cheese sauce, or add milk or evaporated milk |
| Pasta | Elbow macaroni holds cheese sauce well, but you can also use shells, penne, or other types of pasta |
| Breadcrumbs | Double up on breadcrumbs, or use crushed croutons |
| Seasonings | Marmite, mustard powder, garlic powder, mushroom powder, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, English mustard, or vinegar |
| Meat | Pulled pork, lobster, prosciutto, bacon, spicy Italian sausage, or chicken nuggets |
| Vegetables | Pickled jalapeños, peppers, mushrooms, basil, cherry tomatoes, scallions, spinach, artichoke, or kimchi |
| Other | Fish sauce, raw egg, pesto, canned soup, or Buffalo sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Add some heat with peppers, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper
Adding spicy peppers, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper is a great way to give your macaroni and cheese a kick. For a spicy mac and cheese, you can use jalapeño peppers, poblano peppers, or dried chilli peppers. You can also use hot sauces like Frank's Red Hot, Tabasco, or Crystal Hot Sauce. Alternatively, you can use cayenne pepper, but be careful not to add too much as it can quickly become overpowering.
If you want to add some spice to your macaroni and cheese, try using pepper jack cheese. This variety of cheese has a kick of spice that will add some heat to your dish. You can either buy pepper jack cheese or make your own by grating Monterey Jack cheese and blending it with finely minced jalapeños.
To make a spicy mac and cheese with peppers, you can follow this recipe:
- Cook your desired pasta shape in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk and then add salt and pepper, and any other desired spices such as mustard powder, cayenne pepper, or paprika.
- Simmer the mixture for a few minutes to thicken, but do not let it boil.
- Turn the heat to low and stir in the cheese until melted. You can use pepper jack cheese, cheddar cheese, or a combination of both.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and any desired mix-ins, such as sliced jalapeños or diced chicken.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with shredded cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Bake in the oven at 350° F for 15-25 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the edges are crispy.
Remember to taste as you go and adjust the amount of spice to your preference. You can always add more, but it's difficult to remove spice if you've added too much.
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Include leftovers, like pulled pork or prosciutto
Macaroni and cheese is a versatile dish that can be enhanced with various ingredients, including leftovers such as pulled pork or prosciutto. Here are some creative ways to elevate your macaroni and cheese using these delicious additions:
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
Combining pulled pork with macaroni and cheese creates a hearty and indulgent meal that is perfect for using up leftovers. You can use either purchased pulled pork or homemade leftovers, and it pairs exceptionally well with the creamy cheese sauce. Here's a step-by-step guide to making this mouthwatering dish:
- Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of water with salt to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the pulled pork: You can use leftover pulled pork or make it from scratch. If using leftovers, heat the pulled pork with some BBQ sauce to infuse flavour.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, whisking continuously to create a smooth béchamel sauce. Add shredded cheese of your choice (cheddar, gouda, or a combination) and stir until melted.
- Assemble the dish: In a baking dish, layer the cooked macaroni and cheese sauce. Top it with the pulled pork, spreading it evenly. You can also mix the pulled pork into the pasta for a more cohesive dish.
- Bake to perfection: Sprinkle the dish with garlic panko breadcrumbs and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
Crispy Prosciutto Mac and Cheese
Prosciutto adds a savoury and crispy texture to your macaroni and cheese. Here's how you can incorporate it:
- Oven-crisp some prosciutto slices until they are nice and crunchy.
- Prepare your macaroni and cheese as usual, opting for a white cheddar variety for a classy touch.
- Mix in the crispy prosciutto, adding a savoury bite to the creamy pasta.
- For an extra indulgent touch, sprinkle some chopped herbs on top.
Creative Leftover Combinations
If you're feeling adventurous, you can take your macaroni and cheese to the next level by incorporating various leftovers. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity:
- Pile your macaroni and cheese onto a sandwich, layering it with leftover meats like pulled pork, ham, or chicken, and don't forget the veggies!
- Turn it into a dreamy macaroni salad by combining it with pulled pork, slaw, and a bun or potatoes on the side.
- Spice it up with jalapeños, chilli powder, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes.
- Add some leftover veggies like broccoli, peas, or cauliflower to boost nutrition and create a well-rounded meal.
So, the next time you have leftovers, don't be afraid to experiment and elevate your macaroni and cheese into something extraordinary!
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Use a different type of pasta, like shells or penne
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that's easy to make and can be elevated in many ways. One simple way to enhance your mac and cheese is to use a different type of pasta. While the traditional elbow macaroni shape is great for holding sauce, you can experiment with other varieties like shells or penne pasta.
Using shells, for instance, can add a playful twist to your dish. Their concave shape can cradle the cheese sauce, creating delightful bursts of flavour with each bite. Shells also have a larger surface area, which can be advantageous if you want to incorporate toppings or broil your mac and cheese for a crispy finish.
Penne pasta is another excellent option for your mac and cheese. Penne has a tubular shape with angled ends, providing an interesting texture and appearance. Its ridges and hollow centre allow the pasta to hold onto the sauce effectively, ensuring each bite is packed with flavour.
When opting for a different pasta shape, keep in mind that your dish may transform into more of a pasta bake. This can be a fun variation, especially if you're serving a crowd or looking for a heartier meal. You can even get creative and mix multiple pasta shapes together to craft a unique and personalised mac and cheese experience.
Remember, the beauty of mac and cheese lies in its versatility, so feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes and find what works best for your taste preferences and culinary needs.
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Add an egg to boost protein and make the dish richer
Adding an egg to your macaroni and cheese is a great way to boost the protein content of the dish and make it richer. The egg adds a custard-like texture to the dish, making it creamier and velvety smooth. It also helps to bind the ingredients together, ensuring a cohesive and satisfying dish.
To use this method, beat an egg in a small bowl and set it aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and butter, and then stir in the cheese. Add the beaten egg to this mixture and combine it well. You can also use egg yolk instead of a whole egg. Make sure to temper the egg by slowly adding warm milk to it before adding it to the rest of the mixture to prevent it from scrambling.
Next, cook your macaroni until it is very firm and then drain it. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese and egg mixture, stirring until everything is well combined. You can also pour the mixture over the macaroni in a baking dish and stir to combine.
Finally, bake the dish in the oven until it is heated through and the top is browned. This will take around 30 to 40 minutes. And that's it! Your macaroni and cheese with added egg is ready to be served hot and enjoyed.
You can also make this dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Simply reheat it in the oven when you are ready to serve it, and it will taste just as delicious.
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Mix in vegetables, like spinach, artichokes, or cherry tomatoes
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, but it can always be improved by adding some vegetables. Spinach, artichokes, and cherry tomatoes are all excellent choices for adding flavour, colour, and texture to your macaroni and cheese.
If you're looking for a simple way to incorporate vegetables, spinach and artichokes are a great combination. Start by melting some butter in a pan and adding garlic. Then, add spinach and cook until wilted. Add artichoke hearts and milk, along with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until the milk comes to a boil and add your cooked macaroni. Continue stirring until the milk coats the macaroni like a glaze. At this point, you can add your cheese – a combination of cheddar and mozzarella works well. Sprinkle some extra cheese on top and bake in the oven until golden brown and bubbly.
You can also add cherry tomatoes to the mix. Simply cook them in a skillet over medium-high heat until they soften, then transfer them to a bowl with the spinach mixture. In the same skillet, melt some butter and whisk in flour, pepper, and salt. Gradually whisk in milk until the mixture thickens and bubbles. Add your cheese, stirring until melted, then combine with the cooked macaroni and spinach mixture. Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with more cheese, and bake until melted.
For a vegetarian option, be sure to check the labels of your ingredients to ensure they are vegetarian-friendly. You can also experiment with different types of cheese and vegetables to find your perfect combination. Adding vegetables is a great way to boost the nutritional value of your macaroni and cheese, and it might even be a sneaky way to get some picky eaters to enjoy their veggies!
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Frequently asked questions
To make boxed mac and cheese taste homemade, you can add your own cheese, such as grated Gruyère, or cream cheese. You can also add your own cheese sauce, such as Ragu Classic Alfredo sauce, or make your own. To make your own cheese sauce, cook the macaroni in a mixture of 1 ½ cups of water and 1 ½ cups of milk, then sprinkle the cheese powder into the liquid before adding the pasta. Skip the draining step and add more milk as the noodles cook if needed.
There are many different mix-ins you can add to mac and cheese to boost its flavor. Some good options include:
- Spinach and artichoke dip
- Pickled jalapeños
- Crispy prosciutto
- Kimchi
- Bacon
- Spicy Italian sausage
- Crispy chicken nuggets
- Buffalo sauce
- Cayenne pepper
- Mustard powder
- Garlic powder
- Mushrooms
- Pesto
Some unconventional ways to boost the flavor of mac and cheese include adding a raw egg, fish sauce, or Marmite.
