Patrick Oconnell
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, but the boxed version can sometimes be a little underwhelming. Luckily, there are several simple ways to improve boxed macaroni and cheese and take it to the next level. From adding extra ingredients like real cheese, garlic, vegetables, or meat to trying different cooking methods, such as baking or frying, there are endless possibilities to elevate this childhood favourite. So, whether you're looking for a quick and easy meal or wanting to impress your family and friends, stay tuned as we explore the best tips and tricks to transform boxed macaroni and cheese into a delicious and indulgent treat.
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What You'll Learn
Use a brand with sauce, like Inspired Organics
If you're looking for a quick, easy, and tasty meal, boxed macaroni and cheese is a great option. However, there are several ways to elevate this simple dish and make it even more delicious. One way to improve boxed macaroni and cheese is to use a brand that includes a cheese sauce, such as Inspired Organics. Their macaroni and cheese uses a cheese sauce instead of cheese powder, resulting in a creamier and more flavourful dish.
Using a brand with a sauce like Inspired Organics can enhance the taste and texture of your macaroni and cheese. The sauce is already prepared, ensuring a consistent and even distribution throughout the pasta. This avoids the clumping that can sometimes occur when using powdered cheese. The sauce also adds moisture, preventing the pasta from drying out and maintaining a desirable creamy consistency.
Inspired Organics' macaroni and cheese offers a convenient and tasty option for those seeking a sauce-based product. Their sauce sets them apart from other brands that may only offer cheese powder. By choosing a brand with a premade sauce, you can save time and effort in the kitchen without sacrificing flavour.
Additionally, Inspired Organics' sauce likely contains various ingredients that contribute to its unique taste. These ingredients may include butter, milk, and potentially other dairy products, such as cream or cream cheese. These additions enhance the creaminess and richness of the sauce, creating a more indulgent macaroni and cheese experience.
While the sauce is a standout feature, Inspired Organics may also offer other advantages. Their pasta may be of higher quality, with a texture that complements the sauce. The combination of premium pasta and flavourful sauce can elevate your macaroni and cheese experience, making it a satisfying and indulgent meal. So, if you're seeking convenience without compromising on taste, consider choosing a brand like Inspired Organics that offers macaroni and cheese with a delicious cheese sauce.
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Add frozen veggies, leftover chicken, cream cheese, or toasted breadcrumbs
Frozen vegetables are a great way to add some extra nutrition to boxed macaroni and cheese. Broccoli is a popular choice, but you can also experiment with other options like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers. Simply sauté the veggies before mixing them in with the macaroni.
Leftover chicken is another tasty addition to boxed mac and cheese. Rotisserie chicken or crispy chicken nuggets can be added as is, or you can spice things up by heating them in the oven or microwave with some Buffalo sauce.
For an extra creamy and indulgent macaroni and cheese, try adding cream cheese. You can simply toss in a large chunk and stir until blended, or get creative by blending it with other ingredients like sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Toasted breadcrumbs are a simple way to add some crunch to your macaroni and cheese. You can toast them in a pan with butter, or sprinkle them on top of your macaroni and cheese before baking it in the oven. For an extra indulgent touch, use buttered cracker crumbs instead of breadcrumbs.
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Make it crunchy: deep-fry macaroni and cheese bites
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, but you can take it to the next level by making it crunchy. Deep-fried macaroni and cheese bites are the perfect option for a game-day spread or a quick appetizer for a casual get-together. Here's how to make them:
Firstly, prepare your macaroni and cheese as usual, including the sauce. You can use any type of short, cylindrical pasta, such as elbow macaroni, ziti, penne, or fusilli. For a smoky flavour, cook your pasta in bacon grease instead of butter. You can also add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg to enhance the flavour.
Once your macaroni and cheese is ready, spread it into a casserole dish and freeze it for a few hours. Then, cut the macaroni and cheese into bite-sized cubes or scoop it into two-tablespoon portions to form balls. At this stage, you can also add in some chopped-up bacon for a savoury kick.
Now it's time to bread your macaroni and cheese bites. Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes. Fill the first dish with all-purpose flour, the second with beaten eggs and a bit of water, and the third with panko breadcrumbs. You can also use dried breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or crushed potato chips for the coating. Roll each macaroni and cheese bite in the flour, shake off the excess, then dip it in the egg wash, and finally, coat it generously with the breadcrumbs. Place the breaded bites on a rack and repeat the process until they are all coated.
Chill the breaded bites in the refrigerator for a while to help the coating set. Meanwhile, heat up some vegetable oil in a large skillet or pot. You want the oil to be about 2 cups in an 11-inch skillet or about 3/4 inch up the side. Heat the oil to between 350-375°F (175-190°C).
When the oil is hot, carefully place 3-4 macaroni and cheese bites into the oil and fry them until they are golden brown and crispy. This should take around 1-2 minutes per side. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain the oil temperature. Once they are golden, remove the bites from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined tray to absorb the excess oil. Then, transfer them to a cooling rack so that the bottoms stay crispy. Continue frying the rest of the bites in batches.
Finally, sprinkle the macaroni and cheese bites with some flaky salt while they are still hot, and serve them immediately. Enjoy the delicious combination of creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese with a crispy, crunchy coating!
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Don't always follow cooking instructions on the box
The trick to perfectly cooking boxed macaroni and cheese is to avoid blindly following the directions on the box. A microwave with a different wattage may alter the time it takes for your pasta to cook, which may leave you with dry, crumbly pasta or mush. The secret is to taste-test the pasta before the timer goes off. Once your pasta reaches the perfect al dente stage, remove it from the heat and drain the water immediately. Letting your pasta sit on the stove will cause it to be overdone.
When cooking the macaroni, subtract 1–2 minutes from the boiling time to ensure that the noodles are slightly undercooked. The noodles will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the noodles and add butter, milk, and cheese to the pot. Mix together until well combined and then add the noodles back in. Stir until every noodle is coated with cheese sauce.
You can also experiment with different types of milk and cheese. For instance, whole milk and cheddar cheese can be used instead of non-dairy milk and powdered cheese. To make the sauce separately from the cooked macaroni, giving you more control and helping distribute the sauce evenly. You can also add extra cheese, such as Boursin cheese or gouda, to make the dish even more delicious and creamy.
Additionally, you can add various ingredients to enhance the flavour of boxed macaroni and cheese. For example, you can include frozen vegetables, leftover rotisserie chicken, cream cheese, toasted breadcrumbs, or crispy pancetta. Caramelized onions, blistered cherry tomatoes, or sautéed garlicky spinach can also be mixed in. For a sweeter, more autumnal flavour, try blending microwaved butternut squash into a puree and mixing it in, then topping it with chilli crunch.
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Add taco meat, crushed tortilla chips, and spices
Taco macaroni and cheese is a fun and tasty twist on the classic boxed mac and cheese. It's a perfect easy meal for busy weeknights and family dinners. Here's how to make it:
Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need two 12-ounce boxes of macaroni and cheese, ground beef or turkey, taco seasoning, water, and optional toppings such as crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Method
Start by boiling water and preparing the boxed macaroni and cheese according to the package directions. In a separate skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey until browned. Drain any excess grease, then add the taco seasoning and water to the meat. You can use store-bought taco seasoning or make your own blend with spices like chilli powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder. Stir well to combine, and add more water if needed to create a sauce-like consistency.
Once your macaroni and cheese is ready, add it to the skillet with the taco meat and gently stir everything together over low heat. If you prefer your pasta with more bite, you can combine the macaroni and meat mixture before the pasta is fully cooked and let it finish cooking together.
Serving
Serve your taco mac and cheese in bowls, topped with crushed tortilla chips for some crunch. You can also offer a variety of toppings on the side, such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. For an extra indulgent touch, add some chopped green onions or cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or a dollop of guacamole. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Use whole milk and make the sauce separately, rather than mixing it directly with the cooked macaroni. This will help distribute the sauce evenly. You can also add a dollop of plain whole-milk Greek yogurt to make it tangier and creamier.
Avoid following the directions on the box as different microwaves have different wattages, which may result in dry or mushy pasta. Instead, taste-test the pasta before the timer goes off and remove it from the heat when it's al dente. Drain the water immediately and do not let the pasta sit on the stove.
You can add frozen veggies, leftover rotisserie chicken, cream cheese, or toasted breadcrumbs. You can also add caramelized onions, cherry tomatoes, or spinach. If you like spicy food, add pepper flakes or ghost pepper flakes.
You can add taco meat, leftover keema, or tuna salad. You can also add crispy pancetta, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs like basil or parsley. For an extra crunch, top it with crushed croutons or tortilla chips.
Add extra cheese! You can add heavy cream, shredded cheddar, gouda, or boursin cheese. You can also add cream cheese for a similar effect.
