Best 3 Copycat Boxed Macaroni And Cheese Recipes
Copycat boxed macaroni and cheese is a popular dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a quick and easy meal that can be made with a few simple ingredients. With so many different recipes available, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. This article will provide you with the tips and tricks you need to find the best copycat boxed macaroni and cheese recipe for your taste buds. We will discuss the different types of cheese that can be used, the different cooking methods, and the different add-ins that can be used to create a unique and delicious dish. So, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned chef, you are sure to find the perfect copycat boxed macaroni and cheese recipe in this article.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
BETTER MACARONI AND CHEESE FROM A BOX!
A little tweak on the cooking preparation makes a cheap boxed macaroni and cheese taste better and creamier and also healthier for you since there's more milk and cheese and less margarine/butter. And to top it all off, it's almost as fast as the regular way, it's just more of a technique than an actual recipe change. No more runny cheesy orange watery sauce! I made this up myself when I got sick of spending more money for the "better" macaroni and cheese for the kids, you know the kind with the "gooey" packet of cheese sauce.
Provided by Sandy 0225
Categories Cheese
Time 18m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cook the macaroni in boiling water until it's as tender as you'd like it.
- Drain the macaroni in a colander, set aside.
- In the same pan over medium heat, melt the 1/8 cup margarine, then add the cheese powder. Stir until smooth with a wire whisk.
- Add the 3/4 cup of milk, a little bit at a time, mixing it with the wire whisk, like you were making gravy, stirring constantly over medium heat. As it thickens up, add some more milk until all the milk is added. Bring the mixture up to the point of boiling so that it's thick. Then add the cheese and whisk again until smooth and melted.
- Now remove from heat and add the drained macaroni. You're ready to serve and your macaroni will be creamy instead of that yellow runny stuff around your noodles.
COPYCAT BOXED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This recipe originally comes from King Arthur Flour, which is where I buy my cheddar cheese powder. You can buy cheese powder from many sites on the web, and sometimes you can find it at baking supply stores; many people use it to make cheese bread or crackers. Obviously, your end product will depend on the kind of cheese powder you buy - the one I use is real cheddar which has been dried and ground to a powder, so the sauce turns out white, not day-glo orange ;) But if you want the orange stuff there are several places on the web to buy it. Depending on what sort of cheese powder you get, this may or may not taste close to Kraft macaroni and cheese. I don't know what sort of cheese powder you'll be able to get, so I can't guarantee that. If you are trying to replicate Kraft exactly, you may have to try to find their powdered cheese; sometimes I have seen it for sale in canisters on its own (i.e. not as part of the boxed mac and cheese). The 6 ounces of macaroni listed below measures out to 1 and 1/2 cups, dry.
Provided by xtine
Categories Kid Friendly
Time 10m
Yield 3 cups
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and return to the pot you cooked it inches.
- Add butter and mix until butter is melted.
- Add cheese powder and milk, mixing until all ingredients are well combined.
- Taste and add salt, if needed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 414.4, Fat 20.1, SaturatedFat 12.3, Cholesterol 51.6, Sodium 269.9, Carbohydrate 47.1, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 1.6, Protein 11.2
THE BEST CHICK-FIL-A MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE (COPYCAT)
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Bring a large pot water to a boil with salt.
- Boil noodles until al dente, drain and set aside (reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water in case you need to thin up the sauce)
- Melt butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and mix continuously for about 4-5 minutes over low heat.
- Slowly pour in the cream and whole milk and stir the whole time until it starts to thicken over low heat.
- Mix in the combination of cheeses until the cheese starts to melt and become creamy and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If it becomes too thick, thin the sauce with a little bit of the reserved water.
- Mix in the macaroni noodles.
- Pour mixture into a large baking dish.
- Top with additional shredded cheddar cheese.
- Cook for five minutes.
- After five minutes, cook on a low broil for two minutes.
- Remove from oven and mix together so crispy cheese on top is incorporated throughout the dish
Nutrition Facts : Calories 393 calories, Carbohydrate 18 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 83 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 28 grams fat, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 17 grams protein, SaturatedFat 17 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 692 milligrams sodium, Sugar 4 grams sugar, TransFat 1 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams unsaturated fat
Tips:
- Use a good quality cheese. A sharp cheddar will give you a more flavorful mac and cheese. You can also use a combination of different cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is best for mac and cheese. If you overcook it, it will become mushy.
- Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the cheese sauce. It will help to give your mac and cheese a smooth and creamy texture.
- Use milk or cream. Milk will give you a lighter cheese sauce, while cream will give you a richer, more flavorful sauce.
- Season the cheese sauce. Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are all good seasonings for mac and cheese. You can also add other seasonings, such as paprika, onion powder, or cayenne pepper, to taste.
- Add mix-ins. Mac and cheese is a versatile dish that can be customized with a variety of mix-ins. Some popular mix-ins include cooked bacon, crumbled sausage, diced tomatoes, and peas.
- Top with cheese. Before baking the mac and cheese, top it with a layer of shredded cheese. This will help to create a golden brown crust.
- Bake until bubbly. Mac and cheese should be baked until it is bubbly and golden brown. This will usually take about 20 minutes.
- Let stand before serving. Let the mac and cheese stand for a few minutes before serving. This will help it to set and firm up.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and loved by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious mac and cheese that is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give mac and cheese a try.
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