7 Easy Ways to Elevate Boxed Mac and Cheese to Gourmet Status

While nothing beats a homemade mac and cheese (whether it’s beer-infused or loaded with Buffalo chicken), boxed mac can come to the rescue when you’re short on time or ingredients. The key is to get creative—ditch the instructions and think beyond the box.

Keep reading to discover how to turn any boxed mac and cheese from basic to 'wow, who made this?'

1. Perfect Your Boil

Most instructions suggest boiling the pasta, draining it, and then returning the noodles to the pot to mix with milk, butter, or margarine and the cheese powder. But there's a better way.

A smart TikTok hack offers a better method: Cook the macaroni in a mix of 1 ½ cups of water and 1 ½ cups of milk, then stir the cheese powder directly into the liquid before adding the pasta. Skip draining, and add extra milk if necessary as the noodles cook. Once al dente, mix in an additional 1 cup of shredded cheese. The result? Less of that powdered cheese taste, more homemade flavor, and the cheesy goodness infusing right into the pasta itself.

2. Enhance the Cheese

No matter how you cook your noodles, don’t skip the extra cup of cheese. Gouda, cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, fontina, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère are all great options to amp up both the creaminess and flavor.

3. Undercook the Pasta

The instructions often recommend boiling the noodles a bit longer than we like, which can lead to mushy pasta. Cook them 1 to 2 minutes less than suggested, depending on your preferred level of al dente firmness.

4. Upgrade the Dairy

A simple and quick way to make any mac and cheese more luxurious is by swapping out regular milk for richer options like heavy cream or half-and-half, instead of using skim, 1%, 2%, or whole milk.

5. Add Spices or Sauces

A little spice can make a big difference. Add a burst of flavor by incorporating cayenne pepper, dry mustard powder, garlic powder, mushroom powder, or even a splash of hot sauce to take your mac and cheese to the next level.

6. Mix in Some Veggies

Boost the flavor and nutrition of your boxed mac by tossing in a spoonful of canned pumpkin or pureed winter squash, a handful of halved cherry tomatoes, or even some roasted broccoli, cauliflower, or frozen peas. Add these along with extra cheese, allowing everything to blend and warm up with the pasta.

7. Create a Mash-Up Meal

Get inspired by your favorite dishes like cheesesteak sandwiches or Caprese salad. Mix in ingredients like sautéed onions, peppers, or fresh basil to bring a unique twist to your mac and cheese.

Southwest: Crispy Bacon Crumbles + Roasted Corn + Diced Anaheim or Hatch Chiles + Freshly Cracked Black Pepper

Caprese: Halved Cherry Tomatoes + Fresh Basil Leaves + Drizzle of Balsamic Glaze

Philly Cheesesteak: Sautéed Bell Peppers + Chopped Roast Beef + Toasted Seasoned Breadcrumbs

Chicken and Broccoli: Sautéed or Steamed Broccoli + Shredded Rotisserie or Leftover Chicken

Buffalo Chicken: Chopped Leftover or Frozen Crispy Chicken Nuggets + Spicy Buffalo Sauce

Chili Dog: Chopped Hot Dogs + Canned Chili with Beans

For even more cheesy inspiration, explore Quick Dinners That Begin with a Box of Mac and Cheese.