Frederic Melton
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, but what do you do when you're out of milk? It is possible to make a delicious, creamy mac and cheese without milk. The key is to use starchy pasta water, chicken broth, or even just water to cook the pasta, and then add cream cheese, butter, and shredded cheese to create a rich and tasty sauce. This guide will take you through the steps to make a perfect mac and cheese without milk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pasta | Elbow macaroni, shell pasta, rotini, penne, cavatappi |
| Broth/Water | Chicken broth, salted water, pasta water |
| Cheese | Cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, Colby, Gruyère, Mozzarella, Fontina |
| Spices | Onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, mustard powder, paprika, oregano, basil |
| Other ingredients | Butter, flour, breadcrumbs, yogurt, sour cream, heavy cream |
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What You'll Learn
Use chicken broth or water
If you don't have milk, you can still make macaroni and cheese by using chicken broth or water. Chicken broth can be used in place of milk to cook the macaroni, seasoning the pasta from the inside out and taking the flavour to the next level. You can also use water to cook the macaroni, but be sure to add a pinch of salt and stir frequently to ensure the pasta cooks up perfectly al dente.
Cooking macaroni in a small volume of water concentrates the starch from the pasta, helping the cheese form a creamy emulsion. You can also add evaporated milk toward the end of cooking to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.
Chicken broth can also be used in place of milk in boxed mac and cheese kits, such as Kraft mac and cheese. Simply replace the milk with chicken broth, melt in a bit of cream cheese, and you'll have a tasty, cheesy meal.
If you're making your cheese sauce from scratch, you can also use chicken broth or water in place of milk. First, melt butter in a pot. Then, sprinkle in flour in the same amount as the butter and stir well on low heat until the flour is cooked but hasn't changed colour. Slowly add some of the chicken broth or water to the butter and flour mixture, stirring as you go. When it's fairly thick, add in your grated cheese and stir until it's melted. You can also add salt, pepper, or paprika to taste. Finally, add your cooked macaroni to the cheesy mixture and serve.
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Add cream cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, and it can be made without milk! Here's a guide to making macaroni and cheese with cream cheese:
Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni or other small noodles like shell pasta
- Chicken broth or water
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Spices such as onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
- Cheddar cheese or a mix of cheeses such as cheddar, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan
Cooking Instructions
Start by cooking the macaroni. If you're using chicken broth, cook the macaroni in the broth to slightly less than al dente. This will season the noodles from within and bring your dish to the next level, flavour-wise. If you're using water, cook the macaroni in salted water according to the package instructions.
In a separate pot, melt some butter over medium heat. Add in flour and whisk to create a roux. You can also add spices like onion powder and garlic powder to the roux. Slowly add in your liquid (chicken broth or pasta water) and whisk to create a sauce. You can also use heavy cream or half-and-half for an even richer sauce.
Now, it's time to add the cream cheese. Cut the cream cheese into cubes and add them to the pot. Stir until the cream cheese is almost melted. You can also add a small amount of sour cream or yogurt to enhance the creaminess and tanginess of the sauce.
Finally, add your shredded cheese. Cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with other cheeses like Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and combined. If you're using an oven-safe dish, you can sprinkle some extra cheese on top and bake it until it's bubbly and golden.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your macaroni and cheese immediately. Top it with some fresh cracked pepper, herbs, or breadcrumbs for added texture and flavour. Enjoy your creamy and delicious macaroni and cheese!
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Add butter
Adding butter to macaroni and cheese is a great way to make the dish richer and creamier. If you're making boxed mac and cheese, the instructions will likely call for both milk and butter. However, you can easily skip the milk and still enjoy a delicious, creamy meal by adding extra butter. Start by adding double the amount of butter specified in the instructions and adjust as needed—it may take a bit of trial and error, but the end result will be worth it!
If you're making your mac and cheese from scratch, you can still use butter instead of milk. In this case, you'll be making a roux, which is a mixture of flour and butter. First, melt some butter in a pot. If you don't have butter, you can use olive oil. Add an equal amount of flour to the melted butter and stir it in well over low heat. Cook the mixture until the flour is cooked but not changing colour.
At this point, you can slowly add some of the water your macaroni is cooking in, stirring as you go. Keep adding water until the mixture reaches a fairly thick consistency. Then, add your grated cheddar cheese and stir until it's melted and incorporated. You can also add some yoghurt, sour cream, or non-dairy creamer for a creamier texture. Season with salt, black pepper, or paprika to taste.
Finally, strain your cooked macaroni and add it to the cheesy mixture. Toss until the macaroni is fully coated in the sauce, and serve immediately. For an extra indulgent touch, top with some extra shredded cheddar cheese or breadcrumbs and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Season with spices
Macaroni and cheese is a delicious comfort food, and you can easily make it without milk. The key to a tasty mac and cheese is in the seasoning.
Firstly, when making your sauce, you can use chicken broth or stock instead of milk. This will add flavour to the dish and ensure your macaroni is seasoned from the inside out. You can also use water, but the chicken broth will add more depth of flavour.
Now, for the spices. There are a few staple spices that are recommended for mac and cheese. Onion powder and garlic powder are a must—they add flavour without adding moisture, which is important as you don't want a watery sauce. You can also use salt and pepper to taste. Some recipes suggest using freshly cracked pepper on top as a garnish. If you want to add a little heat, cayenne pepper is a great addition. This will give your mac and cheese a spicy kick. You could also add a little paprika, which will give a subtle warmth and a lovely colour.
If you want to add a little more depth of flavour, you could add some mustard powder, nutmeg, or even Worcestershire sauce. These will give your mac and cheese a more complex flavour. You could also try adding some bay leaves to your sauce as it cooks, but remember to remove them before serving. If you like your food spicy, you could add some chilli or chopped jalapeños.
Some people also recommend using Creole seasoning, which will add a lovely warmth and spice to your dish. You can also add some herbs such as oregano and basil, which will give a lovely Mediterranean flavour. If you want to add a little crunch, you can top your mac and cheese with breadcrumbs and then bake it. This will give a lovely texture, and the breadcrumbs will soak up the flavours of the herbs and spices.
So, there are plenty of ways to season your mac and cheese without using milk. Get creative and experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs to find your perfect flavour.
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Bake in the oven
To make macaroni and cheese without milk, you can bake it in the oven. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni
- Chicken broth or water
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cheddar cheese
- Breadcrumbs (optional)
Method
- Cook the macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni in chicken broth or salted water until it is slightly less than al dente. The chicken broth will add flavour and season the noodles from the inside out.
- Prepare the cheese sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt the cream cheese and butter. You can also add a little sour cream or yogurt to the mixture for extra creaminess and tanginess. Season with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined and the cream cheese and butter are almost melted.
- Combine and bake: Transfer the cooked macaroni to a greased baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and stir to combine. Top with extra shredded cheddar cheese or breadcrumbs, which will add a crunchy texture to your dish. Bake in a preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the baked macaroni and cheese from the oven and serve immediately. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!
Feel free to adjust the quantities and cooking times to suit your taste and preferences. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Colby, or Fontina.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make mac and cheese without milk by substituting milk with chicken broth or water. You can also use dairy-free milk or yogurt.
Elbow macaroni is a classic choice for mac and cheese as its shape holds the cheese sauce well. However, other small pasta shapes, such as shells, rotini, or penne, can also be used.
Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for mac and cheese, but any melty cheese will work. Some examples include Fontina, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or Mozzarella.
To make the cheese sauce, melt butter in a separate pot and sprinkle in flour. Slowly add in the liquid (chicken broth, water, or dairy-free milk) while stirring. Once the mixture has thickened, add in the grated cheese and stir until melted. You can also add spices such as onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, or paprika.
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