Bushra Griffith
Boxed macaroni and cheese is a convenient, tasty, and budget-friendly meal. It has been a beloved staple for many since its invention by Kraft in 1937. While it's tasty on its own, there are many ways to resurrect boxed macaroni and cheese and make it even better. From adding milk to extra cheese, or getting creative with ingredients like canned pumpkin, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, or even kimchi, there are endless ways to upgrade this classic dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reheating Method | Microwave or Oven |
| Bowl Type | Glass or Microwave-safe Plastic |
| Milk Quantity | 1 tablespoon per cup of macaroni and cheese |
| Milk Type | Half-and-half or Cream |
| Toppings | Butter, Cheese, Broccoli, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Salt, Ketchup, Cayenne Pepper, Hot Sauce, Bread Crumbs |
| Oven Temperature | 350°F |
| Oven Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Method | Cook macaroni in milk and water, add cheese powder to the liquid |
| Additional Ingredients | Pureed Winter Squash, Cherry Tomatoes, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Frozen Peas, Bacon, Corn Kernels, Beef, Chicken, Pickled Jalapenos, Kimchi, Crispy Prosciutto, Sausage, Pasta Sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Add milk to boxed macaroni and cheese when reheating
Macaroni and cheese can be tricky to reheat, and it often comes out dry, hard, or an oily mess. The secret to maintaining or reviving the original texture is to add milk when reheating.
When reheating boxed macaroni and cheese, it is important to only reheat the amount you plan to consume. The more times you reheat macaroni and cheese, the less appetizing it becomes. To reheat boxed macaroni and cheese, place the desired amount in a microwave-safe bowl. If you are reheating a large batch, use a shallow, oven-proof dish, preferably glass.
Add milk to the macaroni and cheese to restore moisture to the sauce and the original creamy texture. Start by stirring in about one tablespoon of milk per cup of macaroni and cheese. You may add more milk as the macaroni and cheese heat if it begins to look dry or sticky. You can also add half a tablespoon of butter to improve the taste and texture.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap, leaving one corner slightly open to release steam. If you are uncomfortable using plastic wrap, you can use an inverted plate, but be sure to use oven mitts when removing it as the plate can become hot. Heat the macaroni and cheese slowly on medium power. This will reduce the likelihood of the cheese breaking down and separating, resulting in oily macaroni and cheese. Set the timer for one minute for a single serving or 90 seconds for a larger portion. When the timer goes off, stir the macaroni and cheese and continue to heat in 30-60 second intervals until it reaches the desired temperature.
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Use the oven to reheat large quantities of macaroni and cheese
Reheating macaroni and cheese in the oven is one of the better options as it retains the perfect texture. The inside becomes warm and gooey, and the top gets nice and crispy, as if it were freshly baked. This method is also ideal for reheating large quantities of macaroni and cheese. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Defrosting
If your macaroni and cheese is frozen, you can either thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or proceed to the next step without defrosting.
Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Prepare the macaroni and cheese
Break up any large clumps of macaroni and cheese and place them in a casserole or baking dish. If your macaroni and cheese doesn't have a crispy topping, stir in one tablespoon of milk for each cup of macaroni and cheese. You can also add a little extra cheese at this stage.
Cover and bake
Cover the dish with an oven-safe lid or aluminium foil. Place the covered dish in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until heated through.
Uncover and bake for a crispy top (optional)
If you want a crispy top, remove the cover, and sprinkle a crispy topping or some extra cheese on top. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the desired level of crispiness is achieved.
Stir in butter and cheese (optional)
For extra creaminess, stir in a little butter and shredded cheese after removing the dish from the oven.
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Add extra cheese to boxed macaroni and cheese
Adding extra cheese is a great way to resurrect boxed macaroni and cheese. You can add extra cheese to boxed macaroni and cheese by following the below steps:
First, cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. If you want to avoid overcooked and mushy noodles, consider cooking the pasta 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions. You can also experiment with cooking the macaroni in a mixture of water and milk, as suggested by a TikTok hack.
Next, drain the noodles and set them aside. In the same saucepan, add cream cheese, shredded cheese of your choice (such as cheddar, gouda, Swiss, Parmesan, fontina, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère), and milk. Stir the mixture until a sauce forms. You can also add spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to elevate the flavor.
Now, stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well combined. At this stage, you can also mix in any additional ingredients, such as vegetables or meat. For example, halved cherry tomatoes, roasted broccoli, frozen peas, or chopped chicken.
Finally, serve the macaroni and cheese in bowls. If you want a crunchy topping, sprinkle some shredded cheese on top and place it under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and browned. You can also add breadcrumbs or panko for an extra crunchy texture.
By following these steps and adding extra cheese, you can transform boxed macaroni and cheese into a creamy, flavorful, and indulgent dish.
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Add toppings such as butter, garlic salt, or hot sauce
Adding toppings such as butter, garlic salt, or hot sauce can take your boxed macaroni and cheese to the next level. Here are some tips and tricks to elevate your dish:
Butter
Butter is a key ingredient in making a classic stovetop macaroni and cheese. To make a simple butter-based sauce, start by melting butter in a pot over medium heat. Add flour and onion powder to create a blond roux, whisking until the mixture bubbles. Continue cooking and whisking for one minute after it starts bubbling. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, mustard, cumin, paprika, or cayenne to your roux for extra flavour.
Garlic Salt
Garlic salt is a great way to add a savoury punch to your macaroni and cheese. You can use garlic powder, which, when combined with white pepper, can be a game-changer for your dish. Add garlic powder to your butter and flour roux, whisking it in until fragrant. Alternatively, you can sprinkle garlic salt on top of your prepared macaroni and cheese just before serving for a more subtle garlic flavour.
Hot Sauce
Adding hot sauce to your macaroni and cheese can brighten the flavour without making it spicy. Season your cheese sauce with hot sauce, starting with a small amount and adjusting to your taste preference. You can also use Dijon mustard as a substitute for hot sauce to achieve a similar effect.
Remember, when resurrecting boxed macaroni and cheese, it's essential to add toppings and seasonings that complement the dish and align with your personal taste preferences. Get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your perfect flavour profile!
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Experiment with different combinations of ingredients
There are endless ways to experiment with boxed macaroni and cheese and transform it into something even better. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Extra Cheese
For an extra cheesy kick, add an extra cup of shredded cheese of your choice to the boxed macaroni. Cheddar, gouda, Swiss, Parmesan, fontina, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère are all excellent choices to boost the creaminess and flavour.
Milk and Butter
For a richer, creamier texture and flavour, substitute milk with half-and-half or cream. You can also add a pat of butter or margarine to enhance the creaminess and give it a buttery flavour.
Vegetables
Add some vegetables to your macaroni for extra flavour and nutrition. Try mixing in roasted broccoli or cauliflower, frozen peas, cherry tomatoes, or pureed winter squash.
Meat
For a heartier meal, incorporate some meat into your macaroni. Crispy prosciutto, bacon bits, or spicy Italian sausage are all delicious options. If you're feeling adventurous, try mixing in crispy chicken nuggets and a few dashes of Buffalo sauce for a spicy kick.
Spices and Herbs
Enhance the flavour of your macaroni with spices and herbs. Try adding some dill, scallions, or fresh basil. If you like it spicy, throw in some pickled jalapeños or cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
Creative Combinations
Get creative and experiment with unique combinations inspired by your favourite dishes. For a Korean-inspired twist, sauté some kimchi and mix it into your macaroni along with crispy bacon bits and scallions. Or, take inspiration from a Caprese salad by mixing in cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella.
Remember, the possibilities are endless, so don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different ingredients and flavour combinations!
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Frequently asked questions
Place the desired amount of macaroni and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of milk per cup of macaroni and cheese. Cover with an inverted plate or plastic wrap and heat slowly. Start with one minute, stir, then continue to heat in 30-second intervals until you reach the desired temperature.
You can add extra cheese, gouda, cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, fontina, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère to boost the creaminess and flavor. You can also add vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, frozen peas, or halved cherry tomatoes. Meat like crispy prosciutto, bacon, or chicken nuggets can also be added for a heartier meal.
The package instructions generally recommend boiling the pasta in a pot of water, straining the macaroni, then dumping the cooked noodles back into the pot and stirring in milk, butter, or margarine, and the cheese powder. However, a TikTok hack suggests cooking the macaroni in a mixture of 1 ½ cups of water and 1 ½ cups of milk, then sprinkling the cheese powder directly into that liquid before adding the pasta. Skip the draining step, and add more milk as the noodles cook if needed.
