Andy Montoya
Macaroni cheese is a popular comfort food that can be enhanced with herbs and spices. Adding herbs to macaroni cheese is a great way to elevate the dish, taking it from a simple comfort food to a gourmet dinner party dish. There are many different herbs that can be used in macaroni cheese, and in this article, we will explore some of the most popular options and provide a recipe for a delicious and hearty herb macaroni cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Herbs | Thyme, Oregano, Basil, Marjoram, Sage, Rosemary |
| Spices | White pepper, Nutmeg, Red pepper flakes |
| Other ingredients | Garlic, Onion, Butter, Breadcrumbs, Cheese, Tomatoes, Chicken, Bacon |
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What You'll Learn
Thyme, basil, and oregano
Basil is another herb that complements the savoury and sweet flavours of macaroni and cheese. Its crisp, grassy taste enhances the tanginess of the cheese, making your mac and cheese even more comforting and indulgent. If you're new to cooking with basil, you can pair it with ground cumin and dried oregano to create a unique blend of flavours.
Oregano is a potent herb that can be used alongside basil and cumin, as mentioned above, to create a distinctive flavour profile. It also goes well with garlic powder, another popular addition to macaroni and cheese, as well as cayenne pepper.
When adding these herbs to your macaroni and cheese, consider infusing the milk with fresh herb sprigs to extract their warm, intoxicating flavours. You can also add the herbs directly to the sauce, stirring them in for a few minutes to release their aromas and fully incorporate their flavours.
Feel free to experiment with the amounts of these herbs to suit your taste preferences. You can start with smaller quantities and gradually increase them to find the perfect balance for your palate.
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Italian seasoning
When making mac and cheese, you can incorporate Italian seasoning in several ways. One option is to add it while making the cheese sauce. Start by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Then, add flour and Italian seasoning, whisking continuously for about two minutes. Gradually add milk and continue whisking until the sauce thickens. Finally, stir in the cheese until it melts and combine everything smoothly.
Another way to use Italian seasoning in mac and cheese is to sprinkle it on top of the dish just before serving. This adds an extra layer of flavour and aroma to the dish. You can also experiment with different types of cheeses and pasta shapes to create your unique Italian mac and cheese.
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Garlic and chilli
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, but it can get a bit boring. Spice things up by adding garlic and chilli to your next batch of mac and cheese! This combination adds a kick to the traditional dish and is a great way to add some variety to your meal.
Ingredients
- Garlic
- Chilli powder
- Oregano
- Salt and pepper
- Breadcrumbs
- Fresh pasta
- Butter or margarine
- Flour
- Milk
- Cheese
Method
Start by putting a large pot of salted water on to boil for your pasta. While you're waiting for the water to boil, sauté garlic and onion to create a flavour base. Add your chilli powder and other spices, then add your meat and cook until browned. In a separate pan, melt butter or margarine over low heat, then whisk in flour and milk, and bring to a boil. Add cheese and stir until melted. Combine your cooked pasta with the sauce, then transfer to a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs and extra cheese, then bake until hot and bubbly.
Tips
- You can use cayenne pepper or another hot chilli powder to add extra spice.
- If you're serving this dish to kids or those who don't like spice, you can reduce the amount of chilli powder or leave it out altogether.
- For a vegetarian option, simply use vegetarian cheese.
- To make the dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and flour.
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Nutritional yeast
To make a vegan mac 'n' cheese with nutritional yeast, start by melting some butter in a pot over medium heat. Once melted, add onion and cook until soft. Next, add flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, and stir until combined. Start slowly adding milk, whisking as you pour, and cook for 3-5 minutes, whisking frequently until thickened. At this point, you can add nutritional yeast and whisk to combine. Finally, add cooked pasta to the sauce and combine well, adding a little more milk if necessary to reach the desired creaminess.
You can also make garlic-herb breadcrumbs to sprinkle on top of the dish. To make these, melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add breadcrumbs, parsley, basil, and garlic powder. Toss the mixture with a spatula to evenly coat it with butter. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown.
For a heartier dish, you can add cooked vegan sausage, peas, or broccoli. You can also adjust the spices in the sauce to make it spicy or herby. For a spicy sauce, add cayenne pepper and chipotle, and for an herb sauce, try basil, oregano, and parsley.
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Breadcrumbs
Some recipes suggest adding herbs such as basil and thyme to the sauce before sprinkling over breadcrumbs and baking the dish. Cornbread crumbs or panko crumbs are also suggested as toppings.
There is some debate over whether breadcrumbs should be placed under or on top of the cheese in a macaroni and cheese dish. However, most recipes suggest sprinkling them over the top of the dish before baking.
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Frequently asked questions
Oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, and sage are all traditional herbs used in macaroni cheese.
Chilli, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes are all non-traditional herbs that can be used in macaroni cheese.
Cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda are all great options for macaroni cheese.
