“Homemade” Boxed Mac ‘N’ Cheese: How To Elevate the Store-Bought Stuff, According To Pro Chefs

Enter store-bought mac ‘n’ cheese. The homemade version serves a crowd, is a perennial favorite, and is neither expensive nor time-intensive. All of these benefits are also true for boxed mac ‘n’ cheese. 

We asked Chef Ann Ziata for guidance on taking shelf-stable elbow pasta and powdered cheese to the next level — and she delivered.

“The number of hacks and add-ons to mac ‘n’ cheese is almost infinite,” says Chef Ann.

Here are her tips for dressing up boxed mac ‘n’ cheese so your guests will think you spent hours working the stove.

Build Flavor in the Cheese Sauce

Incorporating different ingredients into the cheese sauce can add dimensions of flavor to the final dish.

Try these suggestions from Chef Ann:

• Add dry mustard powder to the cheese sauce to give it a sharper, more distinct cheesy flavor
• Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese to make it extra creamy
• Stir in yogurt, sour cream, or creme fraiche for a little tanginess
• For a good cheese pull, gently stir in thin strips of string cheese right before serving

If you want to make your own cheese sauce, make mornay. A derivative of the French mother sauce, Béchamel, mornay is rich and creamy thanks to the gruyere and Parmesan folded in. ICE Culinary Arts students cook mornay as they explore the mother sauces.

Mac ‘n’ Cheese Mix-Ins

Adding vegetables to boxed mac ‘n’ cheese makes it feel fresher and more nutritious.

“I love greens, and my favorite mix-in is a cup of sautéed collards. If you want to go all out, throw in some bell peppers and mushrooms, too,” says Chef Ann. “Steamed broccoli or peas are also a classic.”

Roasted butternut squash — ‘tis the season! — also works well, and gives the dish a healthy touch without overpowering it.

For the ultimate fall dinner, Chef Ann recommends “stirring in a little pumpkin puree, cream cheese and grated nutmeg.” Top with crushed toasted pecans and crispy sage leaves, and you’ve made pumpkin spice mac ‘n’ cheese — “and it’s wonderful,” says Chef Ann.

Experiment with Toppings

Toppings add new flavors and textures to mac ‘n’ cheese and elevate its appearance.

“Toast panko with butter and black pepper for a lovely crispy topping. If you’re in a pinch, you can also use gently broken potato chips,” advises Chef Ann.

For a more grown-up feel, Chef Ann proposes topping the dish with crushed kale chips.

Take Mac ‘n’ Cheese to the Next Level

Mac ‘n’ cheese doesn’t have to be served solely as a casserole. Think outside the box!

For a fun appetizer, Chef Ann suggests making mac ‘n’ cheese cups and serving them as hors d'oeuvres at your next party. “Prepare the recipe as instructed. Add an egg; scoop into an oiled or paper-lined muffin tin; and bake until set. You can fold in sautéed garlic and peppers for extra flavor,” she explains.

(If you want the party to start with a little kick, make mac ‘n’ cheese stuffed jalapeño poppers.)

“For the ultimate comfort food sandwich, prepare a grilled cheese as you normally would, but add a layer of mac ‘n’ cheese between the slices of cheese for an extra-gooey filling,” says Chef Ann. She adds, “You can do this as a quesadilla, too.”

Finally, try mac ‘n’ cheese as a topping (think: cheesy condiment) for hot dogs, burgers, baked potatoes and even grilled corn, suggests Chef Ann.

The limit does not exist.

Put Chef Ann’s ideas for upgrading boxed mac ‘n’ cheese to use at your next holiday gathering — or make them as a cozy winter meal for one. There are so many options to explore! 

Three more easy, cheesy recipes for the holidays:

• Baked Brie
• Cheese Fondue
• Thanksgiving Cheese Board

*Image by TrueCreatives