Easy Hacks To Make Box Mac And Cheese Better

Learn how to make box mac and cheese better by adding a few simple ingredients. Revamp that childhood favorite into a meal the whole family will enjoy!

With everything that’s going during the COVID-19 quarantine, I thought it would be a good time to share how easy it is to upgrade a pantry staple: good ‘ol mac & cheese. Cooking beyond the box couldn’t be easier, and I’ve even got the video to prove it!

I’ve always had a big heart for boxed Macaroni and Cheese.

I mean… who could deny it? It’s warm, it’s comforting, it reminds you of both your childhood and college years. I have a similar affection for top ramen. If you ever meet someone who says they don’t like the blue box of noodles, they’re straight up lying to your face. Walk away from them, you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.

Learn How To Make Box Mac And Cheese Better

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

30 mins

Learn how to make box mac and cheese better by adding a few simple ingredients. Revamp that childhood favorite into a meal the whole family will enjoy!

Serves: 2

Ingredients

1 (6oz) box Mac & Cheese
2 Tbsp. Salted Butter
¼ cup Milk
1 big squeeze of Garlic Purée (about 2 tbsp.)
1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
½ cup Crushed Crackers
1 tbsp. Salted Butter, melted
Italian Parsley, to taste for garnish
1 cup Bacon, cooked and cut into bite-size pieces

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425F.
Cook noodles according to the packaged directions. Subtract 1 – 2 minutes off the boiling time to ensure that they are slightly undercooked. We cooked ours for 5 minutes and it was perfect. (The noodles will finish cooking in the oven).
Drain noodles and add butter, milk, ½ cup cheddar, garlic purée, and the cheese packet to the hot stove pot. Mix together until well combined and then add the noodles back in. Stir until every noodle is coated with cheese sauce.
Mix crushed crackers with 1 tbsp. melted butter. Set aside.
Pour mac & cheese into a buttered baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Top the dish with crushed crackers and pop it into the oven for 10 – 15 minutes, or until crackers have slightly browned.
Garnish with Italian parsley and bacon. Enjoy immediately.

OTHER VARIATIONS YOU’LL LOVE:

Shredded Chicken + Pesto + Fresh Oregano
Fresh Spinach + Sun-dried Tomatoes + Basil
Chunks of Ham + Garlic Puree + Thyme
Chili + Harissa + Cilantro
Ground Italian Sausage + Sun-dried Tomatoes + Chives

This recipe and all photography was developed exclusively for That’s Tasty. If you’d like to learn more about my recipe development for food and beverage brands, please check out my Recipe Development tab for more details.