Andy Montoya
Mac and cheese is a beloved comfort food, and while homemade is always best, boxed mac and cheese can be a quick and easy option for a tasty meal. However, the boxed variety can often be a little lacklustre, so why not try some simple tricks to elevate it? From different liquids and extra spices to a variety of mix-ins, there are plenty of ways to doctor up boxed mac and cheese and make it taste like it's been made from scratch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creamier sauce | Use whole milk, extra butter, heavy cream, Greek yogurt, or sour cream |
| Crispy | Double the recipe, pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake until golden |
| Spicier | Cayenne pepper, dried mustard, paprika, thyme, dry mustard powder, garlic powder, hot sauce |
| Mix-ins | Bacon, poblano chile pepper, fire-roasted corn, halved cherry tomatoes, canned pumpkin, pureed winter squash, roasted broccoli, frozen peas, ham, chicken, turkey, tuna, spinach, black pepper, crispy prosciutto, pickled jalapeños, kimchi, Italian sausage, penne pasta, crispy chicken nuggets, Buffalo sauce, mozzarella, basil, scallions |
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What You'll Learn
- Add meat, e.g. bacon, ham, chicken, prosciutto, or Italian sausage
- Add vegetables, e.g. spinach, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, or jalapeños
- Use dairy to add creaminess, e.g. whole milk, butter, sour cream, or Greek yoghurt
- Add spices and condiments, e.g. mustard, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or garlic powder
- Make it crispy by doubling the recipe, baking it, and topping with extra cheese
Add meat, e.g. bacon, ham, chicken, prosciutto, or Italian sausage
Adding meat to boxed macaroni and cheese is a great way to make it more filling and flavourful. You can use a variety of meats, such as bacon, ham, chicken, prosciutto, or Italian sausage.
If you're looking for a classic, comforting flavour, try adding cooked bacon to your mac and cheese. For an extra indulgent twist, use thick-cut applewood smoked bacon and prepare your boxed macaroni with truffle butter instead of regular butter. You could also try adding crispy bacon bits to a Korean-inspired combination: sauté some kimchi to cut down the acidity, then mix it into the macaroni along with the bacon, and garnish with chopped scallions.
Ham is another great option for adding a savoury, salty kick to your mac and cheese. Try using barbecue pork, and drizzle with a little barbecue sauce to cut through the richness of the cheese.
For a heartier dish, add some cooked chicken to your mac and cheese. For a quick and easy option, use frozen crispy chicken nuggets and a few dashes of Buffalo sauce.
Prosciutto is a great choice if you're looking for something a little more sophisticated. Fry up some crispy prosciutto to add a savoury, crunchy element to your dish.
Finally, for an Italian-inspired mac and cheese, try adding spicy Italian sausage. Sauté some diced onions, then add the broken-up sausage to the pan. Once cooked through, incorporate a cup or two of your favourite canned marina sauce and mix into the macaroni.
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Add vegetables, e.g. spinach, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, or jalapeños
Adding vegetables to boxed macaroni and cheese is a great way to elevate the dish. Spinach, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and jalapeños are all tasty options that can be easily incorporated.
If you're looking for a simple way to add some greenery to your mac and cheese, consider spinach. This leafy vegetable is a classic addition and can be quickly stirred into the pasta. You can use fresh or frozen spinach, depending on your preference. Simply add a handful of spinach to the pot and stir until it wilts and blends with the pasta.
Broccoli is another excellent choice to add to your boxed mac and cheese. You can use fresh or frozen broccoli florets. If you have the time, roasting the broccoli beforehand adds a nice touch. Simply toss the broccoli with a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast it in the oven until tender. Then, mix the roasted broccoli florets into your macaroni for a delicious and nutritious addition.
Cherry tomatoes offer a burst of freshness and sweetness to the dish. Halve the tomatoes and stir them into the macaroni along with your favourite cheese. The tomatoes provide a nice contrast in texture and a pop of colour. For an extra twist, you can also add some fresh basil and mozzarella for a Caprese-inspired mac and cheese.
If you're feeling adventurous and want to add some spice, jalapeños are a great option. Pickled jalapeños can be chopped and mixed directly into the macaroni for a tangy and spicy kick. Alternatively, you can sauté fresh jalapeños with some onions and garlic before stirring them into your pasta for a more subtle heat.
By incorporating vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, or jalapeños, you can easily transform your boxed macaroni and cheese into a more exciting and nutritious meal.
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Use dairy to add creaminess, e.g. whole milk, butter, sour cream, or Greek yoghurt
Dairy products are a great way to add creaminess to boxed macaroni and cheese. While the packet instructions might recommend using milk, butter, or margarine, there are many other options to choose from.
Whole milk is a great choice if you're craving a creamier sauce. You can also use heavy cream or half-and-half for an even richer flavour and texture. If you want to avoid dairy, almond milk works too.
Butter is another classic option. Melt some in a pan and stir in spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can then add the cheese powder and milk and stir until the cheese has melted.
For a tangy twist, replace the butter with cream cheese. This will cut through the richness of the other cheeses. You can use plain cream cheese, or try a flavoured variety like Boursin Garlic & Herb.
Sour cream and Greek yoghurt are also great options for adding creaminess and a tangy flavour. Simply stir them into the cooked macaroni along with the cheese powder and any other desired ingredients.
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Add spices and condiments, e.g. mustard, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or garlic powder
Adding spices and condiments is a great way to elevate boxed macaroni and cheese. For a spicy kick, consider adding ground mustard or a half-tablespoon of yellow or Dijon mustard. You can also add cayenne pepper, which will give your mac and cheese a nice kick of heat. If you're a fan of spicy food, you can also add hot sauces like chili crisp sauce, which is brimming with Sichuan peppercorns, chili peppers, aromatics, and oil. However, it may be too spicy for those with a delicate palate, so add it sparingly and adjust to your taste.
Garlic is another great addition to boxed mac and cheese. You can sauté a few cloves of minced garlic until golden brown and mix it into the macaroni, or use garlic powder for convenience. Onion powder is another option to enhance the flavour.
If you're looking for a smoky flavour, smoked paprika is a great option. You can also add regular paprika if you're looking for a milder flavour. Additionally, black pepper and salt can help enhance the overall flavour of the dish.
Feel free to experiment with different combinations of these spices and condiments to find your favourite flavour profile for boxed macaroni and cheese.
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Make it crispy by doubling the recipe, baking it, and topping with extra cheese
If you're looking to elevate boxed macaroni and cheese, making it crispy is a great way to go about it! Doubling the recipe, baking it, and topping it with extra cheese will give you a delicious, crispy mac and cheese. Here's how to do it:
First, prepare the boxed macaroni and cheese according to the package instructions. Use a large pot to boil the macaroni in salted water until it's barely cooked, which should take about 5 minutes. Drain the cooked macaroni and set it aside.
Now, it's time to add some extra ingredients to enhance the flavour. In a separate saucepan, melt some butter and stir in spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook this mixture for a few minutes until it's fragrant. Then, add in cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, gruyere cheese, and milk. Stir everything together until you have a creamy, cheesy sauce. You can adjust the consistency by adding more milk if the sauce is too thick.
Next, combine the cooked macaroni and the cheese sauce. Make sure to stir them together gently so you don't break up the pasta. Once everything is combined, transfer the mixture to a buttered baking dish. You can use a 2-quart dish or a 9 x 13 pan.
Now for the crispy part: top the macaroni with extra grated cheese. You can use cheddar, gruyere, or any other cheese you like. Feel free to be generous with the cheese, as this will add to the crispiness and flavour. You can also add breadcrumbs to the topping for extra crunch. Simply melt some butter in a pan, stir in breadcrumbs and, optionally, some parmesan cheese, and cook until golden brown. Sprinkle this mixture over the macaroni.
Finally, bake your macaroni and cheese in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly, melted, and golden brown. This baking time should give you a perfect crispy top with a creamy, soft interior. And that's it! You now have a delicious, crispy, doubled-up macaroni and cheese. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
For a creamier sauce, replace the milk with whole milk, heavy cream, or Greek yogurt. You can also add extra butter.
You can add spices such as dried mustard, cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme, or garlic powder. You can also add vegetables like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or roasted broccoli. Meat such as bacon, ham, or chicken is another great addition.
Double the recipe and prepare as directed. Then, pour the mixture into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake or broil until bubbly and golden on top.
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