9 Delicious Ways to Hack a Box of Mac n’ Cheese
The familiar boxes of Kraft Dinner Mac and Cheese boasting a packet of orange powder always bring back memories of my childhood when my parents relied on the 33-cent boxes as a regular menu item. While I suppose boxed mac and cheese isn’t the healthiest option, I am learning about creative ways to enhance it as a base to stretch leftovers and manage a family’s food budget.
Not long ago, I got caught up in a super fun Reddit discussion, where what seemed like hundreds of participants were sharing favorite ways to upscale a box of mac and cheese into something delicious—perhaps even healthy. Who knew? Not me, that’s for sure. As one who still finds Kraft Dinner prepared according to the printed instructions to be a guilty pleasure, the idea to ‘doctor it up’ hasn’t crossed my mind. But that convo has changed everything. Check out so many ways to take lowly boxed mac and cheese to a whole new level.
1. Mexican Twist
If you’ve got some leftover taco meat or chili, but it’s not quite enough for everyone, mix it into prepared mac and cheese and heat it until it’s hot and bubbly.Kinda sounds like Hamburger Helper, doesn’t it? But better!
2. Tuna n’ Peas
Adding a can of tuna plus a handful of frozen peas to the prepared mac and cheese might sound a bit off-putting, but only until you try it. Yes, this just might be my personal favorite hack of all I have tried.
3. Even Cheesier
Several Redditors were really excited to share the idea of adding in a fancy cheese—whatever you have lingering in the fridge. Even a small amount improves it with a new flavor. Just remember that a little goes a long way, so go easy but to taste.
4. Make it Primavera
Add a bag of frozen mixed vegetables while the pasta cooks. Watch it carefully, as you don’t want those veggies to turn to mush! Drain well, then proceed as directed on the box. Seriously, people—this is quite amazing. I tried it the first time with frozen baby peas. Oh, my. So good.
5. Buffalo Style
Transform your regular mac and cheese into a gourmet delight by adding buffalo wing sauce, diced chicken, and blue cheese. For a quick version, follow the instructions on the mac and cheese box, mix in Buffalo sauce, and finish with a sprinkle of refreshing blue cheese on top.
6. Grilled Mac n Cheese Sandwich
Amp up your grilled cheese with mac and cheese noodle filling. Make the mac and cheese according to package instructions. Now, think of it as the filling for a grilled cheese sandwich. Proceed accordingly. It’s awesome!
7. Grab the Condiments
Ketchup. Yes, on mac and cheese. Give it a try. Or pull out that bottle of barbecue sauce or even hot sauce to kick it up a notch. Quite yummy.
8. Shake it Up
Another participant in the fun online discussion insists the best way to consume Kraft Dinner mac and cheese is to stir in a lot of black pepper and a good shake of both onion and garlic powder. I get that and can report it to be quite delicious
9. Bake It
Blogger and self-proclaimed “frugalite” Daisy Luther offers this hack that takes a box of mac and cheese from lowly to magical: Prepare the macaroni and cheese according to the instructions on the box. Butter a baking dish and spread the prepared mac and cheese into it. Stir in half a cup of cream cheese. Top it with a good quality shredded sharp cheddar and some bread crumbs, crushed potato chips, or cracker crumbs. Bake it at 350F, uncovered for 25 minutes. You’ll love the gooey goodness that tastes really close to homemade at a fraction of the price, says Daisy.
Question: Do you have favorite mac and cheese hacks you’d like to share? Please do that in the comments.
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I just wanted to say that I think Kraft monkeyed with the recipe because its original mac & cheese has absolutely no flavor. You have to add stuff to make it palatable. Just saying!
My favorite restaurant, Zany Graze in Lewistion Idaho, tops their mac and cheese with barbeque brisket. Oh my!
I put imitation lobster or crab meat (like Trans Ocean’s) in my mac and cheese. I just mix in after the cheese and pasta is mixed and warm it. Probably would be good putting the mixture in a casserole with a little milk and sprinkling cracker crumbs on top, baking for a few minutes.
I can’t say this is stretching a box of mac n cheese, but I stretch my time by cooking it in my Instant Pot. I don’t have to wait for a pot of water to boil or stand there to make sure the macaroni doesn’t boil over.
The ingredients used are the same as the box, except, the water.
*Pour 1 1/2 cups of water and the milk (amount shown on box) in the pot (liner).
*Stir in the uncooked macaroni.
*Add the butter and the cheese (powder).
*Close the pot and make sure the vent is sealed.
*Cook on High Pressure for two minutes.
*Once it is done, let it naturally release for a few minutes, then release the rest. I have to be honest, by the time I get to it, it has completely released.
**** When you open it, you will think you failed, big time. However, stir it with a wooden spoon, VERY WELL, and it will be the best boxed mac n cheese you have had.
I have tried this with two boxes and doubling the amounts. It worked but, keep in mind, since this is starchy, if you release the pressure too quickly, it will be foaming and sputtering. This is the only time I have ever needed the little plastic condensation cup. Yes, that’s what the little random plastic cup that is flat on one side is. Just let it release all the way on it’s own before opening.
I don’t recall where I found the recipe but now that all of my kids have moved out, I don’t often make macaroni and cheese. After seeing the options shown to stretch the box, I will be trying one out this week.
When our kids were growing up, I added a can of tuna, a can of cream of mushroom soup and some sauted green pepper to the prepared box. I sprinkled some bread crumbs on top and baked it in the oven for a about 20 minutes. They loved it and I still make it once in awhile for hubby and me.
By all means, stir in leftover roasted broccoli or cauliflower if you have it. We also extend our boxed mac and cheese by using less of the powdered stuff (only use about 3/4 of the package) and save the rest for another time. When there’s enough powdered mix accumulated, I just boil some plain macaroni or rotini to use up the extra. The leftover powder is also good on homemade buttered popcorn.
Make according to directions and add a can of chili (Hormel’s, Wolf’s. Campbell’s) stir well and enjoy
In a skillet cook a one pound chub of sausage and remove. Add oil then sautee diced onion and mushrooms. In a pan add frozen broccoli and let it boil for about 5 extra minutes before adding the pasta. For the cheese sauce, add a teaspoon of butter and about a third of a cup of buttermil to the cheese. After mixed, top with your favorite cheese. My husband likes Colby Jack, and I usually do Parmigiano.
Oh my goodness! so many ideas!
while I don’t care for the orange cheese version of Mac ‘n Cheese, I love the three cheese version with mini shells. I can see several of these suggestions added to that M&C. thank you for sharing ways to shake up the humdrum menu.