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.
Whisk in milk and stock, and continue whisking vigorously until flour and butter have dissolved. Bring to sauce to a bubble and thicken, about 3-4 minutes. Once sauce is thick, remove from heat and mix in mustard and cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese is completely melted. Melt butter in same saucepan on medium heat. Sprinkle with flour and seasonings. Cook and stir 2 minutes or until well blended. Gradually stir in milk until smooth. Stirring constantly, cook 3 minutes or until sauce starts to thicken. Stir in cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Add macaroni; toss gently to coat. Aug 24, 2020 Making rich and creamy cheese sauce is a basic cooking skill that pays off in countless ways. Cheese sauce puts the cheese in mac and cheese, it can convince kids to eat vegetables, and nachos would be naked without it. Read on to learn how easy it is to make cheese sauce from scratch using simple ingredients and easy techniques. This Macaroni and Cheese uses an old trick for the secret ingredient to give you the perfect, full flavor classic cheddar mac and cheese. Mmmmm Mac and cheese! This is one of our favorite comfort foods, and it is both adult and kid friendly, especially when you step away from the boxed stuff with powdered cheese. Macaroni and cheese is so easy to cook in the pressure cooker that you won't want to make the boxed stuff again! This creamy recipe is a delicious basic pressure cooker mac and cheese with bacon. Feel free to use it as a starting point for a customized mac and cheese using different cheeses and add-ins.
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
Mac and cheese is an All-American favorite served as a side or as a main course. It is delicious as is when made traditionally with cheese, butter, and milk however adding a few spices can elevate the dish. Upgrade your Mac and Cheese to the best comfort food by adding these mix of spices!
Cayenne, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, and Dry Mustard
This blend of spices would pack a little bit of heat and tang to your creamy mac and cheese. These spices will cut through the hearty flavor of the cheese and butter.
Simply add ½ teaspoons of cayenne, black pepper, and dry mustard with a dash of nutmeg to a mixture of 1 egg and 1 cup (0.24 l) of heavy cream. Pour this spice mixture on top of your traditional mac and cheese recipe before baking. You may add 2 tablespoons of flour to the mixture to thicken the sauce before putting it in the oven.
Cached
White Pepper or Black Pepper
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This would easily bring in some heat to your traditional mac and cheese. White pepper can be a better option if you are conscious about having dark pepper specks on your dish. Otherwise, either of the two choices is great.
Italian Herbs
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Oregano, basil, and marjoram are excellent additions to your traditional mac and cheese recipe. Italian herbs generally pair well with cheese and pasta so it makes sense to incorporate them to mac and cheese.