Kamil Perry
Macaroni and cheese is a beloved dish for many, with its creamy sauce and cheesy flavour. While it can be made from scratch, many people opt for the convenience of boxed macaroni and cheese, which typically includes dried pasta and a cheese sauce mix. Despite the simplicity of the boxed version, there are several hacks to elevate the dish, such as adding extra cheese, butter, milk, or even crushed potato chips. The key to a perfect mac and cheese is to avoid overcooking the pasta, ensuring it retains a firm bite, and creating a creamy sauce without burning the milk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 350-400°F |
| Pasta | Elbow macaroni, orecchiette, any pasta |
| Pasta texture | Al dente, undercooked, very firm |
| Pasta cooking time | 7.5-8 minutes |
| Pasta quantity | 1 cup |
| Butter quantity | 1-4 tablespoons |
| Flour quantity | 1/2 cup |
| Milk quantity | 1/4-1 cup |
| Cheese type | Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, Gruyère, Gouda, Parmesan, Blue cheese, Goat cheese, Mascarpone, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Cream cheese, Mozzarella, Italian-style blend |
| Other ingredients | Sour cream, Cracker crumbs, Ritz crackers, Potato chips, Bay leaves, Bread crumbs, Mustard, Egg, Salt, Pepper, Red pepper flakes, Garlic powder, Bacon, Chilli |
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Undercook the pasta
When making macaroni and cheese, it's important to undercook the pasta if you want to avoid overcooking it. This is because the pasta will continue to cook when baked in the oven. The macaroni should be boiled until it's still quite firm, and not soft enough to eat. You can test this by taking a noodle out of the pot about five minutes into the cooking process. If it's too firm to eat, then it's time to drain the pasta.
The cooking time will depend on the type of pasta you are using. For example, elbow macaroni is cooked "al dente" in about 8 minutes. However, you should aim for a shorter cooking time than the package instructions recommend, as you want the pasta to be slightly undercooked.
Once the pasta is drained, you can start making the cheese sauce. This typically involves melting butter in a saucepan, adding flour, salt, and pepper, and stirring until smooth. Then, milk is slowly poured into the mixture while stirring continuously until it reaches a smooth and bubbling consistency. Finally, grated cheese is added and stirred until smooth and melted.
The undercooked pasta is then stirred into the cheese sauce until coated. At this point, you can decide whether to serve the macaroni and cheese as a stovetop dish or bake it in the oven for a bubbly, crispy top. If baking, be sure not to leave it in the oven for too long, as the macaroni can dry out. Just bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Make a roux
To make a roux, you'll need to melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. The butter is the fat in this recipe, and it is important to melt it first before adding the other ingredients. Next, add flour, salt, and pepper and stir until smooth. This mixture is what is known as a roux, and it will form the base of your macaroni and cheese sauce.
It is important to cook the roux for a few minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste. You can add the milk once the roux has cooked for a few minutes and starts to brown. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring continuously. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Be careful not to let the milk burn.
You can use any type of milk you like for this recipe, but whole milk or full-fat milk will give you a creamier and richer sauce. If you are using skimmed milk, the sauce may be a little thinner and less creamy. You can also use non-dairy milk, but be aware that it may give the sauce an odd flavour.
Once the milk has been added and the sauce is smooth and bubbling, it's time to add the cheese. Slowly stir in your grated Cheddar cheese until it is fully incorporated and you have a smooth, cheesy sauce. You can also add other cheeses at this stage, such as Emmental, Colby, Monterey Jack, or Fontina.
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Add cheese
To make macaroni and cheese from a box, you'll typically need to boil water, cook and drain the noodles, and stir in the cheese sauce. However, there are several ways to add extra cheese to the dish and elevate the standard recipe.
One way to add cheese to boxed macaroni and cheese is to use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has additives to prevent clumping, but freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and incorporates better into the sauce. You can grate your own cheese or use a mixture of different types of cheese, such as Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, mild Cheddar, or Pepper Jack. You can even add a small amount of a more expensive cheese like Gruyère.
Another option is to add additional cheese beyond what is included in the box. For example, you can stir in some heavy cream and extra shredded Cheddar cheese. You can also try adding a slice of Cheddar cheese, along with salt and pepper, after the noodles are cooked. If you're using a box with powdered cheese, you can stir in some extra shredded Cheddar cheese and butter to enhance the sauce. Alternatively, you can mix in sour cream and shredded Cheddar cheese, as well as other ingredients like garlic salt, to add creaminess and flavour.
For a more indulgent option, you can try mixing in cream cheese along with shredded Cheddar and/or Gouda cheese. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as blue cheese, goat cheese, smoked Gouda, or mascarpone. If you're looking for a crispy topping, sprinkle some extra cheese on top of the macaroni before baking it in the oven. Just be careful not to bake it for too long, as the macaroni can dry out.
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Bake in the oven
If you want to bake your macaroni and cheese in the oven, there are a few methods you can follow. Firstly, decide whether you want to cook the macaroni first or layer the ingredients and cook them together.
Cooking the macaroni first
To cook the macaroni first, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Then, add the macaroni and cook until it is al dente, around 7 to 8 minutes. You want the macaroni to be undercooked as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the macaroni and set aside.
Making the sauce
To make the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, salt, and pepper, and stir until smooth, which should take around 5 minutes. Slowly pour in milk, stirring continuously, and cook until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Be careful not to let the milk burn.
Adding the cheese
Now it's time to add the cheese! Slowly stir in your chosen cheese until the sauce is smooth and melted. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, Gruyère, or even cream cheese. You can also add sour cream, heavy cream, or milk to make the sauce extra creamy.
Combining the ingredients
Combine the cooked macaroni and sauce in a large bowl, stirring until the macaroni is coated. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
Baking
Sprinkle breadcrumbs, cracker crumbs, or crushed potato chips on top of the macaroni and cheese. You can also add an extra layer of cheese to create a crispy top. Bake in the oven at 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit until the top is browned and the cheese is bubbly, which should take around 15 to 30 minutes.
Avoiding dryness
Be careful not to overbake your macaroni and cheese, as it can dry out. You can also make the dish ahead of time, cover it with foil, and refrigerate it for up to two days before baking.
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Mix-ins and toppings
Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be customised with various mix-ins and toppings to suit different tastes and preferences. Whether you're preparing it for a casual get-together, a party, or a cosy night in, here are some ideas for mix-ins and toppings to elevate your boxed mac and cheese:
Vegetables
Chopped vegetables can add texture, flavour, and a healthy twist to your mac and cheese. Some options include sautéed mushroom slices, steamed broccoli florets, or sun-dried tomatoes. You can also add some spice with red pepper flakes or a pinch of garlic salt or powder.
Meats
For meat lovers, adding proteins like bacon bits, lobster chunks, or tuna can take your mac and cheese to the next level. These mix-ins provide a savoury contrast to the creamy cheese sauce.
Cheeses
Extra cheese, please! Shredded cheese varieties like cheddar, gouda, parmesan, or a combination of these, can be mixed into the sauce or sprinkled on top for a gooey, decadent finish. For an extra-creamy touch, stir in some cream cheese or sour cream.
Crunchy Toppings
To add a crunchy texture, consider breadcrumbs, crumbled crackers (such as Ritz), or crushed potato chips mixed with melted butter. A sprinkle of these toppings adds a golden, crispy contrast to the creamy pasta.
Sauces and Seasonings
Sauces like ranch dressing, ketchup, or barbecue sauce can be drizzled over the mac and cheese for added flavour. You can also experiment with seasonings like Cajun seasoning, mitmita, or freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall taste.
The possibilities for mix-ins and toppings are endless, and you can encourage your guests to get creative and bring their own unique additions to the table.
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