I Tried Ina Garten’s Famous Mac and Cheese Recipe (& Here’s What I Thought) (2024)

FAQs

Why is mac and cheese bad? ›

Are mac and cheese healthy, yes or no? Unfortunately, traditional mac and cheese tends to be unhealthy because it contains high amounts of saturated fats and sodium from butter, cheese, and milk. Additionally, it is calorie-dense and not ideal for those trying to lose weight.

Sauce too thick? Stir in a splash of milk and mix until the sauce has loosened up. (This is also a great trick for reheating mac and cheese - if you're microwaving leftovers and the sauce seems to have dried up, stir a splash of milk or half-and-half into the pasta to bring the sauce back to life!)

Feta, queso fresco and paneer

As delicious as feta is in a salad or sprinkled over soup, this dry and crumbly cheese just isn't ideal for mac and cheese. Feta has a high moisture level and doesn't melt properly, so it would clump rather than give you a smooth sauce.

Mac and Cheese Containing Coloring Agents

Researchers found a correlation between these coloring agents and cancer, behavioral problems, birth defects, and other health problems in lab animals. In addition, yellow #6 — found in most boxed macaroni and cheese — has been shown to cause hypersensitivity in children.

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes. Parmesan is also ideal for grating on top of mac and cheese before you bake it to add golden color.

You can thicken cheese sauce further by adding more flour or even using a couple of teaspoons of cornstarch. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch or flour with a cup of water. The cold water will create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the cheese sauce over medium heat, and let the sauce boil and thicken.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

Sour Cream

There are a couple of reasons this is such a good substitute. For one thing, since sour cream is thicker than regular milk, it doesn't thin out the cheese sauce as much. That means that you can add more sour cream and still get a creamy finish.

Key #2: Use Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Use the right kind of cheese

Try not to use too much of the grated hard cheeses like pecorino Romano or Parmesan. A little of either is great for flavor, but too much and the sauce can become grainy and dry.

How to Make Boxed Mac and Cheese Taste Better. To improve the tang and overall cheesiness of your boxed mac, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to the cooked and drained pasta while it's still warm. Toss to combine, then stir in the cheese powder until it's uniformly blended.

Consuming excessive sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, water retention, and an increased risk of heart disease. Additionally, the mac and cheese is typically high in calories and saturated fat, which can lead to weight gain and negatively impact cardiovascular health when consumed in excess, Chun adds.

Macaroni and cheese (also known as mac and cheese in Canada and the United States and macaroni cheese in the United Kingdom) is a dish of macaroni and a cheese sauce, most commonly cheddar sauce. Its origins trace back to cheese and pasta casseroles dating to the 14th century in Italy and medieval England.

The pasta used in mac and cheese is also made from refined flour, which can be hard on the digestive system. Furthermore, the preparation of mac and cheese can also contribute to its difficulty in digestion. Many recipes call for the use of heavy cream or butter, which can add even more fat and calories to the dish.

Fat comes in at 4g, cholesterol comes in at <5mg (since it doesn't actually contain real milk or cheese, it doesn't contain cholesterol), carbs come in at 42g, and protein comes in at 5g. But here's the kicker: one pounch of Kraft Easy Mac contains 540mg of sodium-- 23% of your daily value!