Add More Cheese to Your Boxed Mac and Cheese (2024)

Sheela Prakash

Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor

Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.

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updated May 1, 2019

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Add More Cheese to Your Boxed Mac and Cheese (1)

The powdered cheese that comes in your box of instant mac and cheese does a very good job of coating the noodles in salty and savory flavor. You could leave well enough alone, but a bit of over-indulgence never hurt anyone. So adding more cheese — be it cheddar, soft goat, or even blue — to the pot is more than OK. It’s one of the easiest ways to build in an extra layer of flavor to your standard box of instant mac and cheese.

Why You Should Add More Cheese to Your Boxed Mac and Cheese

Up the cheese factor on your instant mac and cheese and it’s suddenly as rich and indulgent as the from-stratch stuff. Try shredded Gruyère, fontina, cheddar, or even grated Parmesan if you want a bit of nuttiness. Soft goat cheese will lend a touch of tang and extra creaminess, while blue will bring funk to the party. Stir a handful of one into the pot or go crazy and mix and match to create your own unique mac and cheese blend.

How to Make Extra-Cheesy Mac and Cheese

Cook up a box of the macaroni and cheese of your choosing and gather whichever cheese you’d like to use, be it shredded cheddar or crumbled blue cheese. Once you’ve combined the pasta and cheese sauce, fold the extra cheese into the pot. Finish it with a few grinds of black pepper to balance the rich cheese and enjoy. An extra splash of water, yogurt, milk, or cream will help smooth the sauce out.

Do you add extra cheese to boxed mac and cheese? What are some of your favorite combos?

Upgrade Mac & Cheese

A box of instant macaroni and cheese is a blank slate for a quick and easy, but more importantly, family-friendly lunch or dinner. With the help of well-loved pantry staples, you can whip up some cheesy mac that’s bigger in flavor, texture, and satisfaction. This series gives you the inspiration to dig through your kitchen and discover single ingredients that will transform your bowl.

Add More Cheese to Your Boxed Mac and Cheese (2024)

FAQs

How do you add extra cheese to boxed mac and cheese? ›

Prepare Mac n Cheese dinner as directed on package. Stir in 1/2 cup of the Cheddar cheese, the sour cream and pepper. Spoon into greased 1-1/2 quart baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese.

What can I add to boxed mac and cheese to make it better? ›

How to Make Boxed Mac and Cheese Taste Better. To improve the tang and overall cheesiness of your boxed mac, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to the cooked and drained pasta while it's still warm. Toss to combine, then stir in the cheese powder until it's uniformly blended.

How do you amplify boxed mac and cheese? ›

Here are a few of my favorite ways to upgrade boxed mac and cheese in three ingredients or fewer:
  1. Broccoli + Shredded Chicken. ...
  2. Bacon + Peas + Egg. ...
  3. Garlic + Pickled Jalapeños. ...
  4. Mushrooms + Thyme + Grated Gruyère. ...
  5. Pesto + Sun-Dried Tomatoes. ...
  6. Kimchi + Bacon + Chopped Scallions. ...
  7. Cherry Tomatoes + Basil + Mozzarella.

How do you increase the flavor of cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Boil it better

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.

Is extra sharp cheese good for mac and cheese? ›

Extra-sharp cheddar cheese offers a strong flavor, but with a lower moisture content, it doesn't melt as well. Save that cheese for a snack and use the other varieties for your mac and cheese recipes.

What happens if you add extra butter to mac and cheese? ›

One way to make boxed mac and cheese much richer is to ditch the milk and add extra butter. The box instructions will most likely call for both milk and butter, but, as it turns out, the milk is unnecessary — as long as you add enough butter, of course.

Which cheese is best for mac and cheese? ›

Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

How to make Annie's mac and cheese better? ›

On a baking sheet, toss sausage, tomatoes & smashed garlic with a glug of olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Place in the oven and cook for 25-30 minutes, or until sausage is thoroughly cooked. Cut up sausage and stir into prepared mac & cheese with tomatoes, garlic, fresh chopped basil and ovoline mozzarella.

Can I use yogurt instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

Finally, using a plain yogurt is one of the best options for replacing milk in kraft mac and cheese! A plain whole milk yogurt or a greek yogurt would work well. Mix it in the same way you'd mix in sour cream, until it is well incorporated. This may have a slightly tangier flavor, but that is a personal preference.

Can you add egg to boxed mac and cheese? ›

Crack the egg into the hot mac and cheese just made from the box and keep stirring so egg won't coagulate and will mix into the mac and cheese that is bubbling. Add a little milk as needed to keep it from being too thick and sticking to pan but don't overdo the milk.

Can you use water instead of milk for box mac and cheese? ›

Water actually works perfectly well as a milk substitute in mac and cheese. It adds all the liquid you need, though it doesn't have the creaminess or flavor that other substitutes add. However, if you add a little pasta water, instead of plain tap water, to your cheese sauce, you might get better results.

How do you fix tasteless Mac and cheese? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce. The next time you make it, try to find some more strongly flavor cheese, or adding more cheese.

How to make Gordon Ramsay's Mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

How much cheese powder in mac and cheese box? ›

Same powder that comes in the macaroni & cheese box. For those who are comparing prices, you get 40 grams of cheese powder in the mac & cheese box (I have a gram scale).

How do you make box mac and cheese not clumpy? ›

Always add the cheese off the heat. Grate it in advance, add it a bit at a time, whisking until it dissolves, then add more. Don'tget impatient and dump it all in at once. Adding cheese while the pan is on the heat tightens the proteins, which will make lumps in your sauce.

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