Andy Montoya
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a convenient and tasty meal, but there are many ways to elevate it. Some people like to add extra cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, gruyere, or cream cheese. Others like to add meat, such as tuna, sliced hot dogs, or ground beef. To make it spicy, you can add cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or diced jalapeños. For a more complex flavor, you can add Dijon mustard, garlic, or sun-dried tomatoes. Using chicken broth instead of water to cook the pasta is also a popular way to enhance the dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Extra cheese | Shredded cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, gouda, gruyère, deli cheese |
| Non-dairy cheese | Cream cheese |
| Meat | Tuna, sliced hot dogs, seasoned browned ground beef, chicken, Italian sausage |
| Spices | Cayenne pepper, chipotle seasoning, cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, minced garlic, Dijon mustard |
| Sauces | Hot sauce, buffalo sauce, pesto, heavy cream, whole milk |
| Vegetables | Pickled jalapeños, sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, basil, mushrooms, kale |
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What You'll Learn
Extra cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a convenient and tasty meal, but adding some extra ingredients can take it to the next level. Here are some tips for elevating your boxed mac and cheese with extra cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream:
Extra Cheese
For cheese lovers, the more cheese, the better! Start by adding extra cheese powder to your Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Mix the powder with butter, milk, and additional shredded cheese of your choice. You can use cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend. Make sure to add the powder first and mix before adding the shredded cheese to avoid clumping. You can also sprinkle some extra cheese on top before baking to create a crispy, cheesy topping.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese adds a creamy texture and a tangy flavour to your mac and cheese. To incorporate cream cheese, start by making a roux with butter and flour. Then, melt in the cream cheese until smooth. You can also add other shredded cheeses, such as sharp cheddar, gouda, and parmesan, to create a rich and creamy sauce. Mix this sauce with your cooked macaroni and bake it in the oven for a delicious, comforting dish.
Sour Cream
Sour cream gives macaroni and cheese a tangy twist. To make a sour cream sauce, melt butter in a saucepan and add flour to create a roux. Gradually whisk in milk, then add shredded cheddar cheese. Stir in sour cream, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Combine the sauce with cooked macaroni, transfer it to a baking dish, and top with more cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese if desired.
Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese and adjust the amounts of sour cream and cream cheese to suit your taste. By adding these extra ingredients, you can transform your boxed mac and cheese into a richer, more indulgent meal.
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Cayenne pepper, Dijon mustard, and diced green chiles
To start making Kraft macaroni and cheese with these additions, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook them until tender, following the package instructions, which is usually around 7-8 minutes. Drain the noodles in a colander and set them aside.
Return the pot to medium-low heat and add butter, swirling until it melts. Then, add the half-and-half, and stir until combined. This will make the macaroni and cheese creamier. If you don't have half-and-half, you can use whole milk or even some of the pasta water.
Now, it's time to add the spices and flavourings. Start with the garlic powder and onion powder, which will provide a savoury base to the dish. Mix in a generous amount of cayenne pepper to add heat and a touch of Dijon mustard to bring a tangy and savoury element. You can adjust the amount of cayenne and mustard to your preference, but remember that a little goes a long way with these ingredients. If you want an extra spicy kick, you can also add some hot sauce.
Finally, add the cheese. Stir in the American cheese until melted, and then add the cheese packets from the box. Mix well until everything is fully combined. Return the cooked noodles to the pot and gently stir until the macaroni is evenly coated in the delicious, spicy cheese sauce. For an extra cheesy kick, you can add some extra shredded cheese, such as cheddar or gruyere, and stir it through.
Serve your upgraded Kraft macaroni and cheese with diced green chiles on top for an extra spicy kick and enjoy!
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Crispy prosciutto, pickled jalapeños, and garlic
To make crispy prosciutto, start by preheating your oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the prosciutto slices on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not overlap. Curl the edges of the slices to prevent excessive browning. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 9-12 minutes, keeping a close eye on the prosciutto to prevent burning. Once the slices start to shrivel and turn golden, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a rack. They will become crispier as they cool. You can also crisp prosciutto in a skillet or pan with olive oil over medium heat for a few minutes.
Pickled jalapeños are a quick and easy process. Start by slicing the jalapeños and filling two mason jars with the pepper slices. Add a smashed or whole garlic clove to each jar. To make the brine, combine vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Simmer the mixture over low heat until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. This should take about 5 minutes. If desired, add spices such as cumin seeds, peppercorns, mustard seeds, or a bay leaf to the brine for additional flavor. Pour the brine over the jarred peppers and let it cool to room temperature. Store the pickled jalapeños in the fridge, where they will become sweeter and less spicy over time.
Now, prepare the Kraft macaroni and cheese according to the package instructions. Add butter and stir until melted to enhance the creaminess of the sauce. Include garlic powder to the sauce for a more pronounced garlic flavor. Additionally, you can stir in sliced pickled jalapeños to add a tangy and spicy kick to the macaroni and cheese. Finally, crumble the crispy prosciutto over the macaroni and cheese just before serving. The prosciutto will add a salty, crunchy texture that complements the creamy pasta.
This combination of crispy prosciutto, pickled jalapeños, and garlic elevates the classic Kraft macaroni and cheese by introducing contrasting textures and flavors. The crispy prosciutto provides a salty, crunchy element, while the pickled jalapeños offer a tangy and spicy contrast. The garlic powder enhances the overall flavor of the dish, making it a delicious and unique creation.
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Tuna, hot dogs, or ground beef
Tuna
A can of tuna is a great addition to boxed macaroni and cheese. You can also add frozen peas, a spoonful of sour cream, and some extra shredded cheese. If you want to make a tuna casserole, combine cooked macaroni, peas, and tuna in a bowl, and fold in the cheese sauce. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs and mac and cheese is a comforting and filling combination. You can cook the macaroni in the oven and fry the hot dogs separately to get the right texture. Fry the hot dogs lightly in butter for one to two minutes on each side, then set aside. Next, make the cheese sauce by adding flour to the remaining butter and stirring until smooth. Gradually add milk and bring to a simmer, then cook for three to four minutes. Stir in the shredded cheese, salt, pepper, and mustard. Finally, add the cooked macaroni and sliced hot dogs to the sauce. You can also add some chopped onions and sweet peppers, or top with breadcrumbs.
Ground Beef
Ground beef and veggies in a tomato sauce go well with Kraft mac and cheese. Cook the ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a skillet over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain the grease, then stir in the tomato sauce, corn, and diced tomatoes. Simmer over low heat for about five minutes, then add the cooked macaroni and cheese to the beef mixture. You can also add some fresh herbs or sliced green onions.
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Chicken broth, heavy cream, and butter
Cooking Kraft Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream, and Butter
Ingredients
- Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Butter
- Cheese powder (included with Kraft Macaroni and Cheese)
- Additional cheese (optional)
Instructions
Start by cooking the macaroni according to the package instructions. To prevent the noodles from becoming mushy, consider undercooking them by a minute or two. Drain the noodles once they are tender.
In a separate pan, melt some butter. The amount of butter is flexible, but a common amount is 2 tablespoons. You can also add chopped onions to the butter and caramelize them for extra flavor.
Next, add chicken broth to the butter. You can also add milk or non-dairy milk, though some people find that non-dairy milk gives the dish an odd flavor. Simmer the mixture for a few minutes.
Add the cheese powder to the butter and chicken broth mixture, stirring until it is fully combined. You can also add additional cheese, such as shredded cheddar, gouda, gruyere, or American cheese, for extra cheesiness.
Finally, add the cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir until the noodles are evenly coated.
Variations
Some people like to add heavy cream to their Kraft Macaroni and Cheese to make it even creamier. You can add the heavy cream at the same time as the chicken broth.
For a more indulgent dish, you can also top the macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs and place it under the broiler until browned. For extra flavor, mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil or powdered parmesan before sprinkling them on top.
Enjoy your upgraded Kraft Macaroni and Cheese!
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some ingredients you can add to Kraft Macaroni and Cheese to enhance its flavour:
- Extra shredded cheese, preferably cheddar
- Cream cheese
- Cayenne pepper
- Dijon mustard
- Sour cream
- Ground beef
- Hot sauce
- Chipotle seasoning
You can make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese creamier by adding:
- Heavy cream
- Non-dairy milk
- Butter
You can make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese healthier by adding:
- Kale
- Tuna
- Chicken
- Hot dogs
You can make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese spicier by adding:
- Pickled jalapeños
- Red pepper flakes
- Garlic powder
- Frank's hot sauce
- Chipotle seasoning
You can make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese more flavourful by adding:
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Pesto
- Gruyère
- Prosciutto
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