The One Ingredient I’m Adding to Boxed Mac and Cheese From Now On

Boxed macaroni and cheese is undoubtedly one of the best comfort foods out there. It’s affordable, quick to prepare, and packed with that buttery, cheesy goodness that brings back fond memories of childhood meals. There are plenty of ways to elevate boxed mac and cheese, and recently, I came across a series of TikToks showcasing Walmart's smoked gouda mac and cheese upgrade.

The Walmart Mac and Cheese Hack Everyone’s Talking About

'There’s this girl I follow, Bella’s Bites, and she makes this super-creamy mac and cheese with veggies mixed in,' says TikTok user @talibrianna while enjoying her own take on the dish. 'Every time I see her eat it, I just think, I need that right now.'

As a mac and cheese lover, I felt exactly the same way. Once I saw all the buzz about @bellas.bites' two-ingredient mac and cheese, I knew I had to try it myself. Bella’s recipe seemed simple enough: while the noodles cook, you toss in frozen mixed veggies. After draining, you toss it all in a pan with butter, stir in the cheese sauce packet, add some extra cheese, and season with black pepper. Bella often pairs this dish with proteins like chicken wings or sausage, and every video makes it look absolutely mouthwatering.

Bella explains to Dinogo that she started sharing her meals on TikTok because food is a 'universal love language' that 'brings people together and tastes different in different places.' One of the best parts of seeing so many TikTokers try her ultimate boxed mac and cheese hack? 'It makes me so happy when people try something new just because they saw me eat it,' she says.

How to Make the Viral Walmart Mac and Cheese

Bella’s go-to choice for this dish is Walmart’s Great Value smoked gouda mac and cheese, but she believes her add-ins can elevate any boxed mac and cheese. 'Make your food the way you enjoy it,' she advises. 'If you prefer a different version of mac and cheese, go for it—I’m sure it will be just as good.' For Bella, the smoked gouda flavor is the best. 'Mac and cheese has always been my comfort food,' she shares. 'I tried the Great Value brand because the box looked fancy, and it quickly became my favorite.' She also loves how the dish lets her sneak in extra veggies. 'I love vegetables, but I don’t always think of them when I crave comfort food, so I started adding them into the cheesy mix. I’d choose cheese-covered veggies over plain ones any day.' Bella’s top tip for enjoying her mac and cheese? 'Eat it while it’s still hot,' she says. 'The creamier, the better.' When it comes to pairing a protein, Bella has a clear favorite: 'You can’t beat chicken wings with mac and cheese. That’s my ultimate combo.'

I Tried the Recipe, and Here’s My Honest Review

I gave Bella’s mac and cheese recipe a try in my own kitchen, and I was truly impressed by the burst of flavors the mixed vegetables brought to the dish. A little shredded cheese and butter made this classic meal even creamier, and the black pepper added just the right amount of seasoning. I served my upgraded mac and cheese in bowls, with a side of crispy chicken nuggets for good measure.

@bellas.bites Mac and Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 box macaroni and cheese (Bella prefers Walmart’s Great Value Artisan Crafted Smoked Gouda variety)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 handful frozen mixed veggies
• 1 handful shredded cheese (whatever variety you prefer)
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Once boiling, add the pasta from the boxed mac and cheese.
3. Halfway through the cooking time, toss in a handful of frozen mixed vegetables and let them cook alongside the pasta until done.
4. Drain the pasta and vegetables, then return them to the pot with butter.
5. Stir the butter until melted and well mixed with the pasta and veggies, then add the cheese sauce packet and combine. (Feel free to add a splash of milk for extra creaminess.)
6. Finish by adding black pepper and shredded cheese, stirring until everything is well incorporated.