Bushra Griffith
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is a quick, easy, and satisfying meal for both kids and adults. While the boxed version is tasty, there are many ways to elevate the dish and make it taste like it's made from scratch. This can be done by adding more cheese, spices, vegetables, or proteins. You can also try baking it or making it on the stove.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Boil water, cook and drain noodles, stir together the sauce, and combine everything together |
| Hacks | Add more cheese, spices, vegetables, herbs, and protein |
| Cheese Suggestions | Cream cheese, cheddar, gouda, gruyere, parmesan, American |
| Spice Suggestions | Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, hot sauce |
| Vegetable Suggestions | Peas, broccoli, spinach, kale, tomatoes |
| Protein Suggestions | Tuna, chicken, bacon, crab, hot dogs, chicken sausages, ham, ground beef |
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What You'll Learn
Add-ins: tuna, hot dogs, ground beef, garlic, tomatoes, mustard, etc
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese can be enhanced with a variety of add-ins, such as tuna, hot dogs, ground beef, garlic, tomatoes, mustard, and more. Here are some ideas to elevate your boxed mac and cheese:
Tuna
A can of tuna is a quick, easy, and cheap way to add protein to your mac and cheese. You can also add canned peas or a can of soup to create a comforting tuna casserole. For a spicier kick, add some sriracha or hot sauce to your dish.
Hot Dogs
Chopped hot dogs can be added to your Kraft mac and cheese for a simple and satisfying meal. For extra nutrition, serve with leafy greens such as spinach. You can also add butter, milk, and cheese powder to taste.
Ground Beef
For a cheeseburger macaroni experience, add ground beef to your Kraft mac and cheese. Cook the ground beef with onion, bell pepper, and garlic, then stir in tomato sauce, corn, and diced tomatoes. Combine with the cooked macaroni and cheese, and garnish with fresh herbs or sliced green onions.
Garlic
Garlic can be added to your Kraft mac and cheese in a variety of ways. You can sauté garlic with tomatoes and add butter, milk, and cheese powder. Alternatively, sprinkle some garlic powder into the mac and cheese mixture, or use buttery garlic-flavoured Ritz crackers as a topping.
Mustard
Add a teaspoon of French mustard, either smooth or grainy, to your Kraft mac and cheese for a flavour boost. You can also include other ingredients such as cream cheese, sour cream, and extra cheese.
These add-ins are a great way to transform your boxed mac and cheese into a heartier, more flavourful meal.
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Toppings: breadcrumbs, potato chips, Ritz crackers, etc
Toppings: Breadcrumbs, Potato Chips, Ritz Crackers, and More
Adding toppings to your Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a great way to elevate the dish and add some crunch. Here are some ideas for toppings to try:
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs can add a nice crunchy texture to your mac and cheese. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs. To make them extra tasty, toast them in a pan with butter and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until they are golden brown and crispy. Then simply sprinkle them over your prepared mac and cheese before serving.
Ritz Crackers
Ritz crackers are a popular choice for topping mac and cheese. Crush the crackers and combine them with melted butter, then sprinkle the mixture over the macaroni and cheese. You can also add some garlic powder to the cracker mixture for extra flavour. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20-30 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Potato Chips
For a fun and crunchy topping, try using crushed potato chips. You can use plain potato chips or get creative with different flavours like cheese and onion or even barbecue. Mix the crushed chips with melted butter and sprinkle them over the mac and cheese before baking.
Other Topping Ideas
- French fried onions
- Crispy prosciutto
- Pickled jalapeños
- Grated cheese
- Sour cream
- Hot sauce
- Olives
- Cherry tomatoes
- Parsley
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Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, etc
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a quick, easy, and satisfying meal. However, some people may find it a bit "one note." Here are some ways to spice up your boxed mac and cheese with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and other seasonings:
- Melt butter in a large non-stick pan over medium heat, then stir in garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the mixture is golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In the same saucepan, add cream cheese, gruyere, cheddar, the cheese packet, and milk. Stir until the cheese has melted. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, if the sauce is too thick.
- Stir in the cooked macaroni until it is evenly coated in the sauce.
- Scoop the macaroni into individual bowls and top with the breadcrumb topping.
Other Add-Ins and Toppings
In addition to spices, you can also add other ingredients to your Kraft Macaroni and Cheese to elevate the flavor:
- Sauteed tomatoes
- French mustard
- Chicken broth
- Tuna
- Ground beef
- Hot dogs
- Bacon
- Green onions
- Red pepper flakes
- Hot sauce
- Sour cream
- Spicy brown mustard
- Peas
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Cheeses: cream cheese, cheddar, gouda, gruyere, etc
Kraft Mac and Cheese is a convenient and tasty meal, but there are several ways to elevate it with additional cheeses.
Cream cheese is a popular addition, adding a tangy flavour that breaks up the richness of the dish. It can be added to the packaged ingredients and cooked together, or stirred in at the end. Some recipes suggest replacing the butter with cream cheese, while others recommend adding it alongside butter.
Cheddar is another common cheese to add to Kraft Mac and Cheese. It can be shredded and stirred through the dish, or added as slices. Some recipes suggest grating extra cheddar on top of the finished dish, creating a more intense cheese flavour.
Gouda adds extra depth of flavour, and creaminess to the dish. It can be added alongside cheddar and cream cheese for a decadent, gourmet feel.
Gruyere is another cheese that can be added to Kraft Mac and Cheese. It can be combined with the sauce and milk, and stirred through the cooked noodles.
These cheeses can be added individually, or combined to create a unique flavour profile. When adding extra cheese, it is important to consider the consistency of the dish, as extra milk may be required to thin out the sauce.
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Cooking methods: baked, stove, microwave, etc
Stove
To cook Kraft Macaroni and Cheese on a stove, first, boil 6 cups of water in a saucepan. Then, add the macaroni and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the water without rinsing the macaroni and return the macaroni to the pot. Next, add 1/4 cup of margarine or butter and 1/4 cup of milk. Stir in the cheese sauce mix until smooth.
Microwave
To cook Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in a microwave, first, pour 1/3 cups of hot water into a microwave-safe bowl. Then, add the pasta and stir. Microwave the uncovered bowl on high for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring the pasta every 1 to 2 minutes to prevent it from sticking together. Once the water is absorbed, remove the bowl from the microwave and add 1/4 cup of butter or margarine. Mix together before adding the cheese sauce and 1/4 cup of milk. Stir until the pasta is well coated with the cheese sauce.
Oven
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Prepare the macaroni and cheese according to the package instructions. Stir in 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, sour cream, and pepper. Spoon the mixture into a greased baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese. Combine melted butter and cracker crumbs and sprinkle over the top. Bake for 20 minutes and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
Boil water in a medium saucepan, add the macaroni, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes or until tender. Drain the water, return the macaroni to the pan, and stir in the cheese powder, butter, and milk.
You can make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese taste better by adding more cheese, such as cream cheese, cheddar cheese, or gruyere cheese. You can also add spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
Some popular add-ins and toppings include breadcrumbs, bacon, hot dogs, chicken, tuna, vegetables such as peas and broccoli, and herbs and spices such as green onions and red pepper flakes.
