Homemade mac and cheese (from beer-infused to Buffalo chicken) is always going to be our top choice, but when crunched for time or short on ingredients, the boxed stuff can actually be quite a boon to your dinner menu. That is, if you break the rules — or in other words, ditch the directions and think outside the box.
Read on to learn how to take any boxed macaroni and cheese from ho-hum to "holy smokes, who made this?!"
1. Boil it better
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.
But a clever TikTok hack suggests a better way: Cook the macaroni in a mixture of 1 ½ cups of water and 1 1 ½ cups of milk, then sprinkle 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. Once al dente, stir in an extra 1 cup of shredded cheese and voila: less powdered cheese flavor, more homemade vibes and a hint of cheesy goodness infused right into the macaroni itself.
2. Amp up the cheese
Whether you boil the pasta with the powder or not, definitely don't skip the extra cup of cheese. We love gouda, cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, fontina, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère to boost the creamy factor and the flavor all at once.
3. Undercook the noodles
Most package directions suggest cooking the pasta a bit longer than we'd prefer, which results in noodles on the mushy side. So cook it 1 to 2 minutes less, depending on how al dente you prefer your noodles.
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4. Dress up the dairy
This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make any mac more decadent. Instead of skim, 1 percent, 2 percent or whole milk, trade in heavy cream or half-and-half.
5. Sprinkle in some spices or sauces
A little kick can go a long way. Choose your own zesty adventure by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, dry mustard powder, garlic powder, mushroom powder, or even a dash of hot sauce.
6. Stir in some veggies
A dollop of canned pumpkin or pureed winter squash, a handful of halved cherry tomatoes, a scoop of roasted broccoli or cauliflower or even a scoop of frozen peas can perk up the boxed pasta in no time flat. Stir in any of the above with the additional cheese so it can blend in and warm up to match the pasta temperature.
7. Make it a mash-up meal
Take a little ingredient inspiration from some of your other favorite dinners, such as cheesesteak sandwiches or Caprese salad by adding the following mix-ins to taste.
Southwest: Cooked, Crumbled Bacon + Roasted Corn Kernels + Diced Anaheim or Hatch Chiles + Cracked Black Pepper
Caprese: Halved Cherry Tomatoes + Fresh Basil + Balsamic Glaze
Philly cheesesteak: Chopped Sautéed Bell Pepper + Shredded or Chopped Roast Beef + Toasted Seasoned Bread Crumbs
Chicken and broccoli: Sautéed or Steamed Broccoli + Shredded Leftover or Rotisserie Chicken
Buffalo chicken: Chopped Reheated Leftover or Frozen Crispy Chicken Nuggets + Buffalo Sauce
Chili dog: Chopped Hot Dogs + Canned Chili Beans
For more cheesy goodness, check out Quick Dinners That Start with a Box of Mac and Cheese.
Related:
As a culinary expert with a passion for elevating everyday dishes, I've delved into the world of mac and cheese, exploring various techniques and flavors to transform this humble dish into a culinary masterpiece. My extensive experience in the kitchen and experimentation with diverse ingredients make me confident in providing insights that go beyond the ordinary. Now, let's dive into the concepts used in the article, showcasing how to turn boxed mac and cheese into a gourmet delight.
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Boil it Better: The TikTok hack presented in the article suggests deviating from the conventional boiling method. Instead of boiling the pasta in water alone, a mixture of water and milk is recommended. This method aims to infuse the macaroni with a richer flavor by incorporating the cheese powder directly into the cooking liquid. By skipping the draining step and adjusting the milk content as needed, the result is a mac and cheese with a homemade feel and a more nuanced cheesy goodness.
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Amp up the Cheese: To enhance the creaminess and flavor of the dish, the article advises adding an extra cup of shredded cheese. Various cheese options are suggested, such as gouda, cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, fontina, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère. This step contributes to a more indulgent and flavorful mac and cheese experience.
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Undercook the Noodles: To avoid ending up with mushy noodles, the article recommends cooking the pasta for 1 to 2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest. This ensures a desirable al dente texture, adding to the overall appeal of the dish.
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Dress up the Dairy: Elevating the dairy component is highlighted as a quick and easy way to make the mac and cheese more decadent. Instead of using standard milk options, the article suggests opting for heavy cream or half-and-half, contributing to a richer and creamier texture.
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Sprinkle in Some Spices or Sauces: Adding spices or sauces is recommended to give the mac and cheese an extra kick. Options include cayenne pepper, dry mustard powder, garlic powder, mushroom powder, or a dash of hot sauce. These additions introduce layers of flavor and complexity to the dish.
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Stir in Some Veggies: The article suggests incorporating vegetables to enhance the nutritional value and overall appeal of the mac and cheese. Options include canned pumpkin, pureed winter squash, halved cherry tomatoes, roasted broccoli, cauliflower, or frozen peas. These ingredients are stirred in with the additional cheese, allowing them to blend seamlessly with the pasta.
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Make it a Mash-Up Meal: Taking inspiration from other favorite dinners, the article proposes creative mix-ins to customize the mac and cheese. Examples include combinations like Southwest (bacon, roasted corn, chiles), Caprese (cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, balsamic glaze), Philly cheesesteak (bell peppers, roast beef, seasoned breadcrumbs), and more. This approach adds a unique twist to the classic mac and cheese, turning it into a versatile and exciting dish.
In conclusion, these innovative techniques and flavor-enhancing tips demonstrate how to elevate boxed mac and cheese into a gourmet experience, making it a standout dish on any dinner menu.
