Here's how to reheat macaroni & cheese using several different methods so your leftovers are just as tasty as when they were first made. Whether your mac and cheese was in the fridge or even frozen, I will walk you through how to best reheat it. These tips and tricks are guaranteed to return your dish to its former glory.
If you have some leftover macaroni and cheese, try out my easy homemade mac & cheese bites for a fun and tasty snack!
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If you've ever stored your macaroni in the fridge, you may have noticed how dried-out it can become. Don't worry; following my tips and tricks will show you how to perfectly reheat your macaroni and cheese every single time!
You won't have to worry about dried-out pasta. It will be just as cheesy, rich, and decadent as it was before storing.
How To Reheat Macaroni & Cheese In The Microwave
Using the microwave is great for when you're in a pinch, but I definitely recommend using the oven if you have the time.
- Prepare. Place your macaroni and cheese into a microwave-safe container.
- Add milk. Add 1 tablespoon of milk per cup of macaroni and stir until well combined.
- Cover. Cover the dish container with a lid or a microwave-safe wrap. Open one corner of the cover so that the steam can vent.
- Heat. Microwave on medium power for 1 minute.
- Stir. Stir the macaroni and check to see if it is heated all the way through. If needed, continue heating in the microwave using 30-second increments.
- Serve. Serve immediately.
How To Reheat Macaroni & Cheese In The Oven
The oven is the best method for reheating macaroni. It reheats the dish evenly and is super easy to do! However, it will take about 30 minutes in total to reheat.
- Preheat. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) and place your macaroni and cheese into a glass baking dish that has been lightly greased.
- Add milk. Pour in 1 tablespoon of whole milk per cup of pasta and mix until well combined. *Skip this step if reheating macaroni that has a breadcrumb topping.
- Cover and bake. Cover your baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes.
- Finish baking. Remove the foil and then bake for 10 minutes more.
- Serve. Serve immediately.
*If reheating baked mac and cheese, skip adding milk and bake in the oven, covered, at 375°F (190°C/Gas Mark 5) for up to 20 minutes.
How To Reheat Macaroni & Cheese On The Stovetop
Using the stovetop is quicker than the oven and can have amazing results if done correctly. Make sure to keep a low temperature so that the dish doesn't burn!
- Prepare. Place your macaroni into a saucepan or skillet.
- Add milk. Add 1 tablespoon of milk per cup of pasta and stir until well combined.
- Heat. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and then warm up the pasta while stirring frequently. Heat for about 10 minutes or until it's hot and the cheese has melted. *Add more milk if you need to thin it out more.
- Serve. Remove the pan from the heat and serve immediately.
How To Reheat Frozen Macaroni & Cheese
If you stored your mac and cheese in the freezer, you can easily reheat it in the oven! In fact, you don't even need to thaw it out! However, it will take some time to warm up (but it is totally worth the wait!)
- Preheat. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 5).
- Prepare. Remove the macaroni and cheese from the freezer and place it into a baking pan (if not already in one).
- Bake. Leave the dish uncovered and bake for 1-1½ hours or until thoroughly heated.
- Serve. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
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Tips For Reheating Macaroni & Cheese
- Skip the preheating. If you are reheating your mac on the stove, don't preheat the pan because it can cause it to burn. Trust me.
- Save the toppings. If you made your macaroni in advance, hold off on adding any toppings until ready to serve. Add some milk to keep it from drying out (which is easier to do if the toppings haven't been added yet).
- Use the oven. The oven is the ideal method for reheating macaroni and cheese, but the stovetop works, too. You can use the microwave if necessary, but I always recommend opting for the oven if you have the time.
I've tried all of these methods and firmly believe that the oven is the best! Which one is your favorite? Let me know down in the comments.
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📖 Recipe Card
How to Reheat Macaroni & Cheese: Mac & Cheese Without Flour (+Best Tips)
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni (cooked, drained, rinsed)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup butter (1 stick or 8 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 3 cups cheddar cheese (grated)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Follow the package instructions to cook your pasta until al dente (firm to the bite) in texture. Then drain the pasta and rinse it in cool water. Set aside
- Heat the heavy cream with butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan.
- As soon as the butter melts, add the seasoning - garlic powder, salt, white pepper, and onion powder.
- Next, add the grated cheddar cheese and stir the mixture until the cheese is melted, then remove sauce from heat.
- Top the cooked macaroni noodles with the cheese sauce, and stir until the pasta is fully coated. If desired, add more shredded cheese as a garnish, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Your sauce will be best if you heat the cream and allow the butter to melt in the sauce. This prevents your sauce from breaking (when there's no flour as the base).
- Use a combo of your favorite cheeses or see my information on the best cheese for macaroni and cheese.
- Freshly shredded cheese is best. If you use the pre-shredded cheese from the store you can end up with a grainy cheese sauce.
- A bit of American cheese makes this easy stovetop mac and cheese recipe extra creamy.
- Alternatively, a few ounces of cream cheese will also add a creamy texture to the sauce plus a nice tangy flavor.
- A pinch of ground mustard or paprika are great spices to compliment your mac n cheese flavor.
- The optional stir-ins are endless - ham, peas, bacon, brisket, lobster, shrimp, tuna, and jalapenos. This is a great recipe to customize!
- To store: Place your cooled leftovers into an airtight storage container and keep them refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- To freeze: Fully cool the cooked macaroni and cheese then transfer it into an airtight freezer storage container or heavy-duty storage bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- To reheat: The pasta absorbs the sauce, so you will need to add some more milk or cream to reheat your mac and cheese best. Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat until warmed to your satisfaction. Alternatively, the mac can be baked at 350°F (175°C) or heated in the microwave in short 30-second increments on high heat.
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