How To Make Kraft Mac & Cheese Better: The ultimate guide to getting the creamiest and cheesiest macaroni from a box of Kraft! I cover the best cheeses, seasonings, proteins, and more to take that just-OK powdered cheese sauce and turn it into something rich and flavorful. With these tips and tricks, your macaroni and cheese will be better than ever!
How To Improve Boxed Macaroni & Cheese
Macaroni and cheese. It is one of the easiest meals to make from a box. However, even the easiest of meals can use a little upgrade once in a while.
If you are ready to enjoy an even better version of this American classic, I have you covered. Keep reading to find out how to make Kraft Mac & Cheese better!
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⏰ Time the Cooking
A lot of us cook pasta to taste - meaning that we do not time how long we are cooking it. Instead, we just taste-test along the way to get the right texture.
While there is nothing wrong with this method it can sometimes lead to overcooked pasta. Especially with macaroni.
One of the great things about Kraft Mac & Cheese is how quickly it cooks. Therefore, providing us with an easy meal in under 10 minutes.
However, these quick-cooking noodles can quickly get overdone. And no one wants mushy mac and cheese.
To avoid overcooked noodles and to make your macaroni and cheese even better, time how long your noodles cook. Moreover, cook them for 2 minutes less than the recommended time on the box.
Undercooking them just a bit will help them maintain a nice texture when they absorb all the gooey goodness of the cheese, butter, and milk.
🥛 Make it Creamier
When it comes to Kraft Mac & Cheese, consider the directions for cooking as simple recommendations. Following the directions will give you a tasty and familiar meal.
However, going beyond the directions can give you an even creamier and flavor-filled dish. All without any extra effort.
One of the best ways to enhance the creaminess of your boxed mac and cheese is to add butter. Butter makes everything better and Kraft Mac & Cheese is no exception.
Simply add 1 extra tablespoon of butter to enrich the flavor and the creaminess of the pasta.
In addition to extra butter, there are several other ways to enrich the flavor and texture of mac and cheese by using a milk substitution. Check out my favorite substitutions below.
- Half & Half
- Heavy Cream
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt
- Evaporated milk
All of the substitutions above can be used in a 1:1 exchange for the milk in the recipe. Since many of these are thicker than regular milk it will create a thicker and creamier texture. If it feels too thick, you can add a splash of milk to thin it out until you reach your desired consistency.
In addition, be mindful that some of the substitutes will change both the texture and flavor. To maintain the original flavor, use half and half or heavy cream. These will provide the same flavor as milk but with added richness and thickness.
On the other hand, sour cream or Greek yogurt will add a little bit of tanginess to the pasta. This can be a lovely addition to the pasta when you want to explore new flavors without changing the original flavor too much.
🧀 Make it Cheesier
There are very few instances when extra cheese is a bad thing. Especially when you are adding real cheese to powdered cheese.
Don’t get me wrong, there is something about the powdered cheese that I appreciate as much as the next person. Especially when I am in a rush. However, if I have some extra cheese in the refrigerator, I love adding some to make my mac and cheese a bit better.
Since the powdered cheese in Kraft Mac & Cheese is essentially cheddar cheese, the addition of any type of cheddar cheese is a great starting point. It is not the stopping point though.
Here are several other tasty cheese choices you can combine with powdered cheese for a more complex flavor.
- Parmesan cheese (freshly grated Parmesan cheese will work better than Kraft Parmesan cheese)
- American cheese
- Velveeta Cheese
- Pepper Jack cheese
- Gruyere
- Gouda
- Cream cheese
How much cheese you add will depend on your preferences and the type of cheese you are using. Check out my page on the best cheese for mac and cheese for even more information.
If you are using shredded or chunks of cheese (like cream cheese or Velveeta) ¼ cup is typically about the right amount. However, if you are using cheese squares (like American Cheese) then aim for about 3 slices.
The best way to add extra cheese is to melt it with butter, milk, and powdered cheese (before adding the pasta). Mix all of these ingredients in the saucepan until everything is melted and creamy.
Keep in mind that the addition of extra cheese will thicken the sauce. Therefore, you may need to add an extra splash of milk. Once you reach the right consistency, add your cooked and drained macaroni.
🧂 Add Flavor
When you make homemade macaroni and cheese you add a lot of spices. Therefore, there is no reason you cannot add the same spices to your Kraft macaroni and cheese.
Below are some common spices used when making macaroni and cheese. Choose what flavors you enjoy the best or mix several of them together. Just make sure you go slow. You want to make your macaroni better, not overpower it.
- Cayenne pepper
- Hot sauce (Tabasco, Tapatio, Frank’s Red Hot, etc.)
- Garlic powder
- Garlic salt
- Onion powder
- Parsley
- Creole seasoning
- White or black pepper (just a dash to start and add more to taste)
A ½ teaspoon is a great starting point for any of these spices. However, if you do not want it to have too much kick then start with a ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
In addition, if you are going to mix seasonings start with a ¼ teaspoon (or less) of each one. For example, a ¼ teaspoon of cayenne, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon of onion powder.
If using a seasoning that has salt in it (such as garlic salt or Creole seasoning) you may also consider starting with only ¼ teaspoon to avoid it being too salty. Especially if you used salted butter in the sauce.
These are just some common spices you can use. If you have other favorites, feel free to explore adding those as well.
🥓 Add Protein
Growing up, your mom or dad may have added a cut-up hot dog to your macaroni and cheese. While a hot dog may feel a bit too young these days, you can still embrace your inner child by adding other types of protein to your mac and cheese.
Adding protein helps to elevate the flavor and add texture. Moreover, the addition of protein creates a more complete meal. Therefore, you are likely to feel more satisfied and fuller for longer.
Try some of these protein options the next time you want to embrace your inner child with a twist on a hot dog. You can cut any of these up and mix them into your pasta. In addition, you can eat your mac and cheese as a side dish alongside any of these.
- Breakfast sausage
- Italian Sausage
- Bratwurst
- Kielbasa
- Pepperoni
- Bacon
- Steak
- Fried Egg
- Tuna fish (drained)
- Steak
🍽️ Choose Your Combos
The great thing about making Kraft Mac & Cheese better is that it is just as easy to make as the traditional way. Therefore, you can still enjoy a delicious and comforting meal in a short amount of time.
In addition, with so many choices on how to make this dish better, you can choose your favorite combos to make it your own. Feel free to add extra butter, and extra cheese, and use half and half. Plus, throw in some garlic powder.
If simple is your favorite flavor, then focus only on making it creamier by using a substitute for milk or only adding some extra cheese. With so many choices on how to make Kraft Mac & Cheese better, you can try a new one every day until you find your favorite.
Did you try any of these tips & tricks for making your Kraft mac & cheese even better? Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
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😋 Mac & Cheese Recipes To Try
- Instant Pot Mac & Cheese - Macaroni and cheese just got easier thanks to your Instant Pot!
- Velveeta Mac & Cheese - An ultra-creamy macaroni and cheese in less than 20 minutes!
- Crockpot Mac & Cheese - A 3-cheese macaroni that you can set and forget in your slow cooker.
- Microwave Mac & Cheese - This is the perfect recipe when you need to whip up some macaroni in a rush!
- Cauliflower Mac & Cheese - A low-carb keto mac & cheese that is just as rich and creamy as the pasta version!
- Smoked Mac & Cheese - A macaroni loaded with bacon, jalapenos, and a lot of smokey flavor.
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📖 Recipe Card
How To Make Kraft Mac & Cheese Better
Ingredients
Make It Creamier
- 1 tablespoon butter
- half & half, heavy cream, sour cream, Greek yogurt, or evaporated milk (in equal parts to the milk)
Make It Cheesier
- ¼ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your fave cheese)
Make It Spicier
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, garlic salt, Cajun seasoning or Creole, onion powder, parsley
- 1 splash hot sauce or pickled jalapeno juice
Make It Heartier
- 2-4 ounces hot dogs, strips bacon, kielbasa, sausage, brats, pepperoni or salami, steak, brisket, drained tuna, egg
Instructions
Make It Creamier
- Stir 1 tablespoon of butter into your mac and cheese. You can also substitute the milk for half & half, heavy cream, sour cream, Greek yogurt, or evaporated milk.
Make It Cheesier
- Mix in ¼ cup of shredded cheddar or your favorite type of cheese.
Seasoning
- For extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon of pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, Cajun or Creole seasoning, onion powder, garlic salt, or parsley (or any combination of these seasonings).
- Add a splash of hot sauce or pickled jalapeno juice for an extra flavor boost.
Protein
- Mix in sliced hot dogs, crumbled bacon, sliced kielbasa sausage, sliced brats, pepperoni, salami, slices of steak, shredded brisked, drained tuna fish, or cooked egg to make a heartier mac and cheese.
Gayle Rush says
When I was a little girl, I used to put ketchup in my Kraft Mac and Cheese. I loved it and it was a way to have it ALL to Myself. LOL