If there is one meal that epitomizes the “I am a broke college student with limited time, funds, and access to a full-functioning kitchen,” it is a box of macaroni and cheese. Believe it or not, there are ways to make instant macaroni and cheese taste better, which is good to know, since this go-to food staple isn’t really winning any culinary points for flavor. Don't get me wrong, instant mac and cheese isn't terrible, but this is more just fuel to get you through another hour of midterm studying than it is an actual meal. But on those nights when you want to enjoy the homemade taste of macaroni and cheese, rest easy knowing that there are hacks to make your life seem a little more delicious.
Food like Easy Mac is great, because it's cheap, and it only takes literal minutes to throw together — but it is time for an upgrade to our beloved mac and cheese. Upgrading our classic mac doesn't need to be expensive or time-consuming. With a couple of additional ingredients like veggies, meats, and spices, your mac and cheese can be more satisfying than a late-night trip through the drive-through, or instant ramen noodles. Below are seven hacks to make your boxed mac and cheese taste even better than before.
1. Spice Up Your Plain Mac
Throwing in spices to your macaroni and cheese might be the easiest and most affordable way to add in additional flavor. Basic spices that you may already have in your pantry that would work well include red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, chili, onion, and garlic powder. If you're willing to take a trip to the store, spices like cumin, curry powder, dry mustard, and paprika are all wonderful additions. But whether you choose to season or not, black pepper is always a must.
2. Add In Some Veggies
Adding in vegetables to your mac and cheese is not only going to make your meal more sustaining and nutritious, it's also going to make you feel like the adult that you are — if only to yourself and your roommates. Try adding broccoli florets, peas, red peppers, mushrooms, and sauteed onions. Canned green chiles and salsa are also great additions. Try a jalapeño pepper and broccoli combination like Stephanie Le from I Am a Food Blog.
3. Don't Forget Your Leafy Greens
Fiber, folate, iron, calcium, and vitamins C and K do your mind and body good, and they are all found in dark, leafy greens. If you have some time, try sauteing kale, spinach, collard greens, or swiss chard, and adding them to your mac bowl. Spinach and red peppers is a great mac and cheese combination.
4. Put In Protein
Adding in chicken, pork, tuna, and even black beans to your macaroni and cheese can help keep you fuller longer. The problem is meat can take up a considerable portion of your grocery budget. Canned tuna and black beans are going to be your most inexpensive option, but buying a precooked rotisserie chicken or fully cooked sausage links (Trader Joe's makes great-tasting and inexpensive chicken sausage) will not only help you save time, but can last through multiple meals in a week. Try this recipe by Climbing Grier Mountain, which includes Guinness and seasoned ground beef.
5. Load Up On Bacon
Yes, bacon is a protein, but it truly deserves a category of its own. Bacon adds a rich, salty, and indulgent flavor to an otherwise one-dimensional dish. Throw some brussels sprouts into your bacon mac and cheese like How Sweet It Is, and you've got yourself a complete meal.
6. Throw In Some Leftovers
For the rare occasions when you do cook, or come back home on Sunday evening with Mom or Dad's leftovers, throw them into your macaroni and cheese. This can include beef or bean chili, meatballs, meatloaf, pot roast — anything that your mom sent you back to the dorms with in a Tupperware container is fair game.
7. Or Just Put It On A Pizza
Yep, this just happened. Make your own macaroni and cheese pizza by buying a store-bought crust, and topping it with Easy Mac. Jazz it up with some extra cheddar cheese and bacon. You won't be able to resist.
Looking for some more fun food ideas? Visit Bustle on YouTube!
Images: ; The Kitchen (2); i am a food blog; Climbing Grier Mountain; How Sweet It Is; Damn Delicious; Kelly Garbato/Flickr
Greetings, fellow culinary enthusiasts! As someone deeply immersed in the realm of gastronomy, I find great pleasure in sharing my expertise on transforming mundane meals into delightful culinary experiences. Over the years, I have explored the art of elevating simple, budget-friendly dishes, and today, I bring you insights into the world of enhancing the humble box of instant macaroni and cheese.
Now, let's delve into the article's concepts and explore the hacks that can truly make your boxed mac and cheese a gourmet delight:
-
Spice Up Your Plain Mac:
- Introducing spices is a game-changer. Red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, chili, onion, garlic powder, cumin, curry powder, dry mustard, and paprika can all elevate the flavor profile. The article rightly emphasizes the essential role of black pepper.
-
Add In Some Veggies:
- Vegetables not only enhance nutrition but also add depth to the dish. Broccoli florets, peas, red peppers, mushrooms, sautéed onions, canned green chiles, and salsa are excellent choices. The article suggests a combination of jalapeño pepper and broccoli.
-
Don't Forget Your Leafy Greens:
- Incorporating dark, leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collard greens, or swiss chard brings in fiber, folate, iron, calcium, and vitamins C and K. Spinach and red peppers are highlighted as a particularly tasty mac and cheese combination.
-
Put In Protein:
- To increase satiety, proteins like chicken, pork, tuna, and black beans can be added. Canned tuna and black beans are cost-effective options. The article suggests using precooked rotisserie chicken or fully cooked sausage links for convenience.
-
Load Up On Bacon:
- Bacon deserves its own category for the rich, salty, and indulgent flavor it imparts. Combining bacon with brussels sprouts is recommended, providing a complete and satisfying meal.
-
Throw In Some Leftovers:
- Repurposing leftovers, such as beef or bean chili, meatballs, meatloaf, or pot roast, is a clever way to enhance your mac and cheese. This hack taps into the variety of flavors from home-cooked meals.
-
Or Just Put It On A Pizza:
- For an unexpected twist, turning your mac and cheese into a pizza topping is suggested. Store-bought crust, Easy Mac, extra cheddar cheese, and bacon can create a mouthwatering macaroni and cheese pizza.
In conclusion, these seven hacks offer a spectrum of options to elevate your instant macaroni and cheese, turning it from a quick study snack into a culinary delight. Happy cooking!
