Kamil Perry
Boxed macaroni and cheese is a convenient and tasty meal, but there are several ways to elevate it. For a simple upgrade, you can add cream cheese, milk, butter, or an egg yolk to make the sauce creamier. You can also experiment with different ingredients to add flavour and texture, such as pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, crispy bacon, chicken, tuna, or various spices. If you're looking for a more indulgent option, you can top the macaroni with breadcrumbs, extra cheese, or crushed potato chips and bake it until golden brown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Chicken, Tuna, Hot Dogs, Spam, Sausage, Ground Pork |
| Spices | Hot Sauce, Black Pepper, Creole Seasoning, Onion Powder, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Chilli Flakes, Red Pepper, Italian Seasoning |
| Vegetables | Peas, Tomatoes, Spinach, Kale, Bell Peppers, Onions, Kimchi, Scallions, Sun-dried Tomatoes |
| Dairy | Sour Cream, Cream Cheese, Butter, Cheese, Milk, Egg Yolk |
| Other | Breadcrumbs, Crackers, Chips, Pasta, BBQ Sauce, Pesto, Basil, Bacon, Mustard, Mayonnaise, Pasta Water |
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What You'll Learn
Meats, such as chicken, hot dogs, or Spam
Chicken is a versatile meat that can be added to boxed macaroni and cheese in a variety of ways. You can use fresh, cooked chicken, or even chop up some chicken nuggets and sprinkle them into your mac and cheese. For a tangier flavour, add some hot sauce to your chicken. You can also try Apple Chicken Sausage, which can be cut up and mixed into the dish.
Hot dogs are another popular choice for adding meat to boxed macaroni and cheese. You can chop them up and add them directly to the dish, or cook them separately and serve them on the side.
Spam is another option for adding meat to your mac and cheese. Chop it up and fry it until it's crispy, then mix it into your macaroni and cheese.
For a heartier dish, ground beef is a great option. Just be sure to brown the beef first before adding it to your macaroni and cheese. Barbecue pork is also a tasty option, especially if you want to add a smoky flavour to your dish. You can even drizzle a little bit of barbecue sauce on top to cut through the cheesy flavour.
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Vegetables, like peas, tomatoes, or kale
Vegetables are a great way to add nutrition to boxed macaroni and cheese. You can add vegetables like peas, tomatoes, or kale to your boxed mac and cheese to make it a more well-rounded meal.
Peas are a popular choice, and you can use either frozen or canned peas. Frozen peas can be added directly to the boiling water with the pasta, while canned peas should be drained and rinsed before adding. Peas add volume to the dish and make it more filling.
Tomatoes can be added in various forms, such as diced, grape, or sun-dried. You can also use canned diced tomatoes with green chilies to add a spicy kick to your mac and cheese. Tomatoes can be sautéed along with other vegetables or added directly to the mac and cheese.
Kale is a leafy green vegetable that adds nutrition and volume to the dish. It can be added raw or cooked. If you want to cook the kale, you can sauté it with other vegetables or roast it in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other leafy greens like spinach, chard, or a power greens mix.
In addition to the vegetables mentioned above, you can also add a variety of other vegetables to your boxed mac and cheese. Some ideas include zucchini, carrots, banana peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, or butternut squash. These vegetables can be cooked in various ways, such as roasting, steaming, stir-frying, or sautéing, before being mixed into the mac and cheese.
When adding vegetables to your boxed mac and cheese, you can follow the basic preparation instructions for the pasta and then incorporate the vegetables in various ways, such as mixing them into the cooked pasta or adding them to the cheese sauce. You can also roast or sauté the vegetables separately and then mix them into the prepared mac and cheese.
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Sauces, including hot sauce, BBQ sauce, or pesto
Sauces are a great way to elevate boxed macaroni and cheese. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Hot Sauce
Hot sauce is a popular choice for those who like their food with a kick. It adds spice and a tangy vinegar flavour to the dish. Try drizzling your favourite hot sauce over the macaroni and cheese, or stir it into the sauce for a more cohesive heat.
BBQ Sauce
For a smoky flavour, BBQ sauce is a perfect match for creamy macaroni and cheese. You can stir it into the sauce or drizzle it over the top. BBQ sauce pairs especially well with barbecue pork or chicken added to the dish.
Pesto
Pesto is a vibrant, herb-based sauce that can add a burst of flavour to macaroni and cheese. It is typically made with basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil, resulting in a bright green sauce. Pesto can be stirred into the macaroni and cheese or layered throughout the dish for a stunning presentation.
Other Saucy Options
In addition to hot sauce, BBQ sauce, and pesto, there are other sauces you can experiment with. Caesar dressing, for example, can add creaminess to the dish while enhancing its flavour. Canned cream of mushroom soup can also be added to make the sauce thicker and more savoury. Alternatively, you can make a simple cheese sauce by melting butter in a skillet and adding your choice of shredded cheese, such as cheddar, gouda, or gruyere.
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Spices, such as garlic powder, chilli flakes, or black pepper
Adding spices to boxed macaroni and cheese is an easy and affordable way to enhance its flavour. Here are some ways you can do this using garlic powder, chilli flakes, or black pepper:
Garlic Powder
Garlic powder is a simple way to add flavour to boxed macaroni and cheese. You can add it directly to the macaroni and cheese, or fry up some minced garlic until golden brown and mix that into the dish. For an even creamier taste, add some butter, milk, and cheese powder to the fried garlic. You can also add garlic powder to the breadcrumb topping, along with other spices like onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Melt some butter in a pan, stir in the breadcrumbs and spices, and cook until golden brown and crispy.
Chilli Flakes
Chilli flakes will add a kick to your boxed macaroni and cheese. You can add red chilli flakes directly to the dish, or include them in the breadcrumb topping. For an extra spicy kick, add some cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
Black Pepper
Black pepper is a must-have seasoning for boxed macaroni and cheese. Freshly ground black pepper can be added directly to the macaroni and cheese, or included in the breadcrumb topping.
Feel free to experiment with different combinations of these spices to find your favourite flavour profile.
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Dairy, like sour cream, cream cheese, or extra shredded cheese
Dairy products such as milk, cream, and half-and-half can be added to boxed macaroni and cheese to make it richer and creamier. Cream will give the richest flavour and creamiest texture, but alternatives such as almond milk can also be used.
Cream cheese is another popular addition, providing a tangy flavour that breaks up the richness of the other cheeses. It can be used to replace butter. If using cream cheese from a tub, 2 oz is recommended; if using a block, it is best to let it soften to room temperature so that it melts quicker. Boursin Garlic & Herb is suggested as a delicious substitution, adding extra flavour.
Extra shredded cheese can be added to boxed macaroni and cheese to make it creamier and cheesier. Cheddar, gruyere, gouda, and American cheese are all popular options. Blake Lively's "ultimate boxed mac and cheese hack" includes adding a slice of cheddar, as well as a splash of whole milk, 1/3 of a block of cream cheese, and two handfuls of cheddar and/or gouda cheese.
Sour cream is another dairy option to add to boxed macaroni and cheese. It can be seasoned with black pepper, creole seasoning, onion powder, and paprika.
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