Add More Cheese to Your Boxed Mac and Cheese

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.

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.

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?

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.