Elevating the Classic Mac and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. With its cheesy, creamy goodness, it's no wonder why it's so popular. But plain mac and cheese can get boring after a while. Luckily, there are many easy ways to upgrade this classic to make it even more crave-worthy.
Mixing different ingredients into the cheese sauce or adding tasty toppings transforms basic mac and cheese into a mouthwatering meal. From hearty proteins to crisp, fresh vegetables, the possibilities are endless.
Read on to discover over 25 delicious ideas for foods that pair perfectly with everyone's favorite cheesy pasta.
Proteins
Adding protein takes mac and cheese from a side dish to a hearty, nutritious entrée. Meat, poultry, seafood and veggies all blend beautifully into the cheesy pasta.
Bacon
Crisp, savory bacon is a no-brainer topping for mac and cheese. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the pasta or mix diced bacon right into the cheese sauce. The smoky flavor complements the creamy cheese beautifully.
Chicken
Chicken and mac and cheese is a match made in comfort food heaven. Diced grilled chicken breast or shredded rotisserie chicken blend into the sauce seamlessly. Or go bold with spicy buffalo chicken mac and cheese.
Tuna
Tuna mac and cheese is an easy weeknight dinner option. Flaky tuna and peas mix right into the cheesy pasta for a protein-packed meal. Add some breadcrumbs on top for extra crunch.
Ground Beef or Turkey
Cook ground beef or turkey with taco seasoning and spoon it over mac and cheese for a fun Tex-Mex twist. Adding some black beans boosts the fiber and protein even more. Top with avocado, salsa and cilantro.
Sausage
Italian sausage, kielbasa, chorizo, andouille - the sausage possibilities are endless. Cook sausage crumbles right in the pasta sauce for flavor in every bite. Smoked sausage links sliced on top keep it simple.
Shrimp
Sauteed shrimp lend a luxurious, elegant flair to mac and cheese. Fresh or frozen shrimp cook quickly, so stir them in right at the end to heat through. Season with Old Bay or Cajun spices for a taste of New Orleans.
Lobster
For ultimate indulgence, high-end restaurants often feature lobster mac and cheese. Elevate boxed mac with lobster meat or get decadent with chunks of buttery lobster baked between pasta layers as a casserole.
Crab
Like lobster, crab meat brings a taste of luxury to mac and cheese. Fold in fresh crab meat or use imitation crab for convenience and a lighter budget. Sprinkle breadcrumbs or panko on top for texture.
Vegetables
Vegetables add fresh flavor, color, nutrients and texture to mac and cheese. Try stirring them into the cheese sauce or scattering them on top.
Broccoli
Hide some veggies by mixing bite-size broccoli florets into the cheesy pasta. Broccoli contains vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants. For extra flavor, toss the broccoli with olive oil and garlic before adding.
Spinach
Leafy greens like spinach make any dish more nutritious. Stir chopped spinach into the sauce until just wilted but still bright green. Frozen spinach works too for an easy shortcut.
Tomatoes
Cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half and tossed with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper are a delicious roasted topping for mac and cheese. For a faster option, try sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil.
Bell Peppers
Red, orange or yellow bell peppers lend vibrant color and refreshing crunch. Saute them until tender-crisp or roast peppers in the oven until caramelized and charred for a bolder flavor.
Jalapeños
For spicy mac and cheese, stir diced or sliced jalapeños into the pasta sauce. Pickled jalapeño slices on top will turn up the heat. Use gloves when handling hot peppers.
Onions
Sauteed onions or caramelized onions add savory depth to mac and cheese. Mix them into the sauce or scatter fried onion crisps on top for texture. Green onions or chives lend bright, fresh onion flavor.
Mushrooms
Earthy mushrooms like white, cremini or portobello pair wonderfully with creamy mac and cheese. Saute mushrooms before mixing them in or layering sliced mushrooms between pasta and cheese.
Flavor Boosters
Small mix-ins can transform the flavor of classic mac and cheese with little effort. Get creative with unique ingredients that complement the cheesy, comforting base.
Pesto
Stir a spoonful or two of basil or sun-dried tomato pesto into the cheese sauce for an instant flavor bump. The herby green or tangy red sauce mixes beautifully with the cheese.
Hot Sauce
A dash of your favorite hot sauce infuses mac and cheese with heat and vinegar tang. Sriracha, Tapatio, Frank's RedHot or Cholula all work. Adjust the amount to your desired spiciness.
BBQ Sauce
Smoky sweet BBQ sauce takes mac and cheese in a savory, saucy direction. Try a Southern spin with pulled pork and BBQ baked beans stirred into the pasta.
Salsa
For bright, fresh Mexican-inspired mac and cheese, add a few tablespoons of tomato salsa to the mix.Top with avocados, cilantro and crunchy tortilla strips.
Truffle Oil
A dash of aromatic truffle oil makes any dish feel fancy. The musky flavor plays off the cheese beautifully. Shaved truffle on top takes it over the top.
Mustard
Mixing in some yellow mustard adds subtle tang to balance the richness of cheese sauce. Whole grain or Dijon mustard work too. Add diced ham for extra flavor.
The Ultimate Mac and Cheese Recipe
This quintessential baked mac and cheese recipe combines a creamy cheese sauce with bacon, broccoli and crunchy Panko breadcrumbs on top. Simple ingredients come together into the ultimate comforting mac and cheese casserole.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In large saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to make a roux. Cook 2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Cook 5 minutes until thickened.
- Remove from heat. Stir in mustard, salt, pepper and cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add pasta, bacon and broccoli to sauce. Transfer to a greased 3-quart casserole dish.
- In small bowl, mix breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle on top of mac and cheese.
- Bake 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbling. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Endless Ways to Mix It Up
With just a few extra ingredients, mac and cheese transforms into an easy, filling meal everyone will love. Let your creativity run wild with mix-ins that make this classic comfort food even better.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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