Special Equipment For This Recipe
- Instant Pot I recently upgraded to this model and I love it!
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT OTHER READERS COMMENTS FOR TIPS AND REVIEWS.
AND DONT FORGET, IF YOUVE MADE THIS RECIPE, LEAVE A COMMENT AND PLEASE GIVE IT A STAR RATING LETTING ME KNOW HOW YOU ENJOYED IT!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
What Can I Use If I Dont Have Half
To achieve one cup of half-and-half substitute:
How Can I Make Macaroni Better
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.
Read Also: Spreadable Cheese Wedges
Read Also: Do Cheese Sticks Need To Be Refrigerated
Sweet And Savory Meatloaf
Meatloaf is a simple dish made of ground beef that has been shaped to look like a loaf and combined with several other ingredients. Often this dish is eaten as a main meal but the taste goes very well with the flavors of mac and cheese. Again, this is a side dish that is super easy to make and doesnt call for a lot of ingredients.
If you enjoy both dishes, you can even make your own mac and cheese stuffed loaf. This is going to be a dinner that you wont be able to resist. You may find that this dish requires a little more effort to make but if you have the time to spare it is certainly worth a try.
Best Baked Mac And Cheese
The most important thing to do is make some amazing macaroni and cheese.
This baked mac and cheese casserole is one that I make often. In fact, its my absolute favorite mac and cheese.
Or you can add other ingredients and make this mac and cheese with ham.
There are so many different ways to make macaroni and cheese. You can use all cheddar cheese or add feta cheese for extra flavor. You can even use parmesan, but if you do, I recommend mixing it with cheddar to balance the strong flavor.
Recommended Reading: How Long Does Babybel Cheese Last Refrigerated
Turn It Into A Casserole
Turning the leftover into a casserole is always helpful.
This allows you to serve it for lunch or dinner, give out some to family members, or freeze it for later.
To do this, place the leftover in a baking dish, add some breadcrumbs to the top, and bake it at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
You can also top it with bacon crumbles or shredded cheese before you bake it.
Tips For The Best Mac & Cheese
-
Freshly grated cheese dont use pre shredded. They have anti caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
-
No bloated overcooked pasta Cool macaroni slightly and lightly coat in butter. This stops the macaroni from absorbing more liquid while baking, resulting in bloated overcooked pasta and less sauce.
-
To avoid lumps in your sauce, stir constantly as you slowly pour the milk in and keep stirring once the milk is all added. If necessary, switch to a switch to get rid of stubborn little lumps!
-
Plenty of sauce Because I like my Mac and Cheese saucy, not dried up so you can cut it like cake!
-
Can you make Mac and Cheese ahead of time? Most recipes are not suitable for making ahead, but this recipe is! The best way is to cool pasta then toss with sauce and adding breadcrumb topping. Cool, refrigerate or freeze then bake on the day of .
-
How long can Mac and Cheese stay in the fridge? Unlike most, this Macaroni Cheese recipe is good for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Most Mac and Cheese will not keep well because theres not enough sauce so it gets absorbed by the pasta and youre left with dry, sauceless pasta.
-
Freezing? Yes! Assemble, cool, do not bake, just freeze it. Thaw then on the day of, bake per Note 5 in the recipe.
-
Add ins? This recipe is great as it is, but theres tons of add-in options. Add shredded chicken, sautéed onion and bell peppers/capsicum, bacon, hot sauce , dried herbs of choice.
Recommended Reading: Does Babybel Cheese Melt
Air Fryer Beef Empanadas
Beef Empanadas is a savory pastry to eat as a snack or lunchs side dish with mac and cheese. What a pity if you ignore the crispy and golden brown air-fried Empanadas dough filled with juicy and tender ground beef.
Although people tend to deep fry the beef empanadas, I highly recommend you to cook them in the air fryer to reduce as much oil as possible. The cooking results of both methods are nearly the same, both crunchy and delicious!
What Goes With Mac And Cheese
Does anything say home cookin or comfort food more than Mac and Cheese!?The creaminess, the goodness, the cheesinessoh my! Today were going to take you through 15 best sides to eat with this delicious dish! Theyll definitely make Mac and Cheese even more delectable!
From fruit, to vegetables, to meat even seafood anythingand everything can go with Mac and Cheese! And depending on the side youchoose, your palate might even be more appreciative. Mac and Cheese may neverbe the same in your household or beyondkeep on reading!
Read Also: Does Laughing Cow Cheese Need To Be Refrigerated
Gather & Measure The Ingredients
This easy mac and cheese recipe is super fast-paced once you start cooking, so it’s important to have all the ingredients measured and ready to go! As you can see there are only eight, common ingredients in this recipe that most of us have on hand at all times! We will discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions later in this post .
Finish With Toasty Crumbs
For the true tuna cass experience, top each bowl with pankobonus points if youve given it a brief toast on the stovetop with olive oil and salt. Or crumbled saltines. Or crushed Cheez-Its, oyster crackers, or Ritz crackers. Really, its hard to go wrong.
Unless, of course, you try to serve this to a nonna. In which case, you didnt hear about it from me.
You May Like: Chuck E Cheese Plate
Making Mac And Cheese Ahead Of Time
- Make as directed , transfer to baking dish and cool completely. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate 1-2 days ahead.
- Before baking, let dish sit on counter for 30 minutes.
- Bake at recipe temperature for 25-35 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
As a caveat, this recipe, as with most mac and cheese recipes, loses some of its creaminess when made ahead. This dish has been tested when made right away, which yields the best results.
I would increase the amount of sauce slightly if you need to make this recipe ahead of time.
How Much Cheese Should I Use
I shredded 90g of parmesan cheese to replace the 1/4 cup of milk for an entire regular-sized box of Kraft mac and cheese.
This is roughly 50% more cheese than the equivalent weight of milk, but hey, I love cheese.
I recommend adding at least 60g of shredded cheese to replace the milk at roughly a 1:1 ratio.
These measurements are for a regular 7.25oz box of Kraft macaroni and cheese. Im sure this will also work fine for most other boxed mac and cheeses.
You May Like: Plating Ideas For Sandwiches
You May Like: Can You Freeze Babybel Cheese
Baked Macaroni And Cheese
Baked macaroni and cheese doesnt have to be complicated with layers of ingredients to be the soul-warming food you crave. This homemade baked macaroni and cheese is my most favorite and has pleased crowds, small families, kids and picky eaters alikegive it a try and youll see why.
Sometimes you buy that glowing yellow macaroni in the box. Your kids like it, but it glows like the kryptonite they used in the old Christoper Reeve Superman movies.
Thats not normal people.
And I hate to break it to you, but theres nothing real in that box either.
I hate feeding it to my kids and I dare say that you hate it too. But I can also guess you dont know many other alternatives. Sure, you can get a box of Velveeta and melt that over some noodles. That works too, but that stuff doesnt even need to be refrigerated. Its mystery cheese.
So if youre looking for the real deal, the old school baked macaroni and cheese the way your grandma might have made itthis is it.
And just so you know, aside from the baking, this easy macaroni and cheese took 15 minutes and only two pans to make. One for boiling the pasta and a good enameled cast iron pan for the sauce and the baking cuts down on dishes. So yes, even you can make this on a week night.
Pro Tips For Making Homemade Sloppy Joes:
- Before you get started, toast your buns. Toasting the bun makes ALL the difference, and only takes a few minutes. Crank up the heat under the skillet to high, and add a drizzle of vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the buns, then place the buns cut side up on a cooling rack after theyre toasted.
- Watch the sauce so that it doesnt reduce too much. When too much of the sauce reduces, it gives you a dry sloppy joe mixture. Everyone likes theirs a little differently, but for me, I cook it down so that I can see the bits of meat, and when I drag my spoon through the sauce, it leaves a trail where the sauce is parted. If the sauce immediately flows back into that trail, its too liquid-y. I want a few seconds before the sauce covers the trail, which gives me a saucy consistency thats not too liquid.
- Choose your favorite type of bun. I usually go for either a pretzel bun , or a brioche bun.
Also Check: Spreadable Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Deluxe Recipes
KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Deluxe is a classic that never goes out of style! Try adding a twist to this classic by adding favorite ingredients or serving in unexpected ways. From traditional bakes to cheesy salads, we have a KRAFT Deluxe recipe for you!
KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Deluxe is a classic that never goes out of style! Try adding a twist to this classic by adding favorite ingredients or serving in unexpected ways. From traditional bakes to cheesy salads, we have a KRAFT Deluxe recipe for you!
Bake It Into A Casserole
Most casseroles involve a starch of some sort, whether its pasta, rice, or potatoes. Since most casseroles also include some kind of cheese, so why not kill two birds with one stone and throw your mac and cheese into your casserole? Mac and cheese would be a great substitute for fresh pasta or rice in any of our favorite casseroles, like Sloppy Joe Casserole or Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole.
Read Also: How To Say Acai In Spanish
What Cheese Is Best In Mac And Cheese
Nobody wants to use the wrong cheese for their favorite mac and cheese dish therefore, its vital to know which cheese melts best in mac and cheese. The top five of the best cheeses to use in macaroni and cheese include sharp cheddar, gouda, gruyere, cream cheese, and brie. If you have parmesan or goat cheese on hand, both or these work perfectly, too.
Faqs About Homemade Mac And Cheese
This mac and cheese recipe is one of my most popular, so here are some of the commonly asked questions.
How do you store mac and cheese?
Store the leftovers of this homemade mac and cheese recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Since it thickens as it cools, you may need to add 1-2 TBS of milk when it’s reheated it to restore its original creaminess.
Can homemade mac and cheese be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze this homemade mac and cheese, however I don’t recommend it. Since this mac and cheese recipe is so easy to make, there’s really no need to freeze it. If you’re looking for a freezer-friendly mac and cheese recipe check out my baked mac and cheese!
What main dish goes well with mac and cheese?
If you’re looking to serve this mac and cheese recipe as a side dish instead of the main event, here are some suggestions for other dishes that pair well with it: meatloaf
Also Check: Do Babybel Cheese Melt
Make A Grilled Sandwich
Another easy way to transform the leftover is by making a grilled cheese sandwich.
Spread it over two slices of bread, place some sliced pickles on top, and place it in a pan with melted butter or olive oil until the bread is golden brown.
You can also add shredded cheddar before grilling to make it even tastier.
Crock Pot Mac And Cheese
The Chunky Chef09/05/2019
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Highly requested from my readers, this mac and cheese is made entirely in the slow cooker! No boiling pasta, no making a cream sauce, and no standing over a hot stove. Perfectly creamy and packed with flavor, this dish is great to take to a potluck, have as a holiday side dish, or even a fun family dinner!
Looking for other non-traditional crockpot recipes? Check out my No Boil Crockpot Mashed Potatoes, Crockpot Meatloaf, Crockpot Chicken Lo Mein, and Crockpot Spaghetti Casserole!
CROCKPOT MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE
Here it is the recipe youve been asking for! Youve LOVED, and continue to love, my Baked Mac and Cheese recipe some of you have even won awards in cooking competitions using that recipe. But we all love a great slow cooker recipe, and Ive been busy developing the PERFECT crock pot mac and cheese recipe. One that yields an ultra creamy sauce, doesnt get too thick, and one that tastes every bit as delicious as the OG baked mac and cheese.
You May Like: Is Kraft Mozzarella Cheese Vegetarian
What To Serve With Baked Mac And Cheese
Mac and Cheese is worthy of serving as a meal in its own right, served with just a fresh green salad or simple vegetable side. Nothing heavy because Macaroni Cheese is so rich as it is!
As a side dish, it will compliment virtually any non-Asian main dish. From simple Baked Pork Chops to Steak, a Roast Chicken to Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs, the only things I probably would not serve with Mac and Cheese would be very light summery mains such as a Tuna Tartare just a little too much contrast.
And of course, festive gatherings! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter alongside a grand Roast Turkey or your Herb & Garlic Butter Slathered Turkey Breast, the juicy Roast Pork with impossibly Crispy Crackling or your Prime Rib thats so perfectly blushing pink all the way through, it makes you want to weep.
Holidays would not be the same without this Mac and Cheese!! Nagi xx
Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes
This garlicky dish can be a perfect appetizer for a meal containing mac and cheese. You will fall in love with this highly aromatic smell from garlic that comes along with crispy roasted potatoes. I have nothing more to say about this combination.
Making crispy garlic roasted potatoes is also easy and quick. So, what are you waiting for? Grab those simple ingredients needed and make these golden delights now!
You May Like: Philly Cheese Steak Pizza Dominos Sauce
How To Make Mac And Cheese
If youve never made homemade mac and cheese before, it can seem a bit daunting. But dont worry, well break it down and take it step by step!
- Boil the pasta, drain.
- Make the cheese sauce by combining a fat , and starch , then whisking in the milk products.
- Cook the sauce until its nice and thick.
- Add in shredded cheeses, stir well.
- Combine cheese sauce with cooked pasta.
- Transfer half of the mac and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle with more shredded cheese.
- Top with the rest of the mac and cheese, top with more shredded cheese.
- Bake and prepare to thoroughly enjoy!
Tips For The Best Macaroni And Cheese Youll Ever Eat
Feel like you may still need some help? If you have time, jump over to this post for the juicy details: 18 Secrets to the Richest, Creamiest Mac and Cheese Youll Ever Eat or focus on these tips:
Never stop stirring your milk once it hits the pan. If your skillet is too hot or you walk away and for a minute you could scorch the white sauce and it will curdle. It doesnt really hurt the taste, but it will look sort of clumpy. Some readers have called it grainy. It only takes 5 minutes. Just hang out and stir until that sauce is thick enough to coat the back of your spoon.
Use good cheese in your baked macaroni and cheese. That means avoiding bagged, pre-shredded cheeses because they contain cellulose that can in some cases cause your cheese not to melt as it should. -And speaking of cheese, you have so many options! My favorite is sharp cheddar and Swiss.
-Try to choose a melting cheese and a flavor cheesefor the best flavor and texture in your baked macaroni and cheese.
Do taste as you go. Taste your cheese sauce before you add your pasta. Is it bland? That can be because of the cheese you used or even the kind of salt you seasoned with. If it doesnt have enough flavor, add a pinch more salt, stir it in and taste it again until it suits you.
-Feel free to add more pasta if you want to. Some people say that this recipe doesnt have enough noodles in it, but Ive never had that problem. And yes, you should cook your pasta before adding it to the cheese sauce.
Read Also: Does Laughing Cow Cheese Go Bad
