Hacks For Making Boxed Mac And Cheese Better

So, just think about it — mac and cheese by itself is creamy and cheesy, so by using basic logic, adding more creamy cheese to the mix would only serve to amplify the comforting effect. And actual cream cheese has the added benefit of providing a slightly tangy taste. According to one Redditor, you don't even need much cream cheese to make a significant improvement to the taste and flavor of standard boxed mac and cheese. Simply add a few ounces of an inexpensive store brand cream cheese to your pot of mac, stir it in, and allow it to melt over low heat as the flavors meld. 

Of course, you'll get the best flavor if you purchase full-fat cream cheese rather than reduced-fat or fat-free, although the added ingredient won't exactly make your pot of mac and cheese any healthier. But then again, mac and cheese isn't supposed to be a health food, so if you plan to indulge, might as well go all-in, right? 

Sure, standard boxed mac and cheese has some protein in it already — cheese contains protein, milk has protein, and even pasta has a little bit. But if you're trying to increase protein intake, mac and cheese is an easy "base" for adding any number of different protein options. In one Reddit thread on improving boxed mac and cheese, different users suggested lots of easy options — ground beef, slices of sausage or hot dogs, a can of tuna, bacon (or bacon bits for a budget-friendly option), or even Spam. In fact, MyLilLove, the Redditor who suggested Spam, got pretty specific with the tip, stating, "dice it and get the pieces super crispy... it stretches it and makes it sooo smoky and luxurious." Imitation lobster, crab, clams, and even chorizo also made the list.  Kraft even offers up more complex protein-rich recipes like taco bakes and lasagna. 

Obviously, none of these suggestions are high-end meats, so choose the one that fits with your palate and personal budget. Or, you could always try other options, like shredded chicken or beef. You could even throw in an egg or two and let it cook while you mix in the cheese.

Okay, for the most part, boxed mac and cheese hacks are low-key "recipes" that are easy to add to your cooking routine. But there are a few "gourmet" hacks that are worth test-driving at least a time or two, especially if you're looking for a way to serve cheap foods to your friends while looking like an accomplished chef. That's why you should add deep fried mac and cheese balls to your repertoire. Really, the concept couldn't be easier. Reddit suggests simply making the boxed mix according to the recipe and mixing in jalapenos and bacon bits for extra flavor (or whatever add-ins you personally prefer). Then you form the mac and cheese into balls and refrigerate to "set" the shape in place before coating them in egg and bread crumbs. The last step is to simply fry the coated balls and serve, turning your basic boxed mix into a somewhat "fancier" affair. 

Another Redditor offered the suggestion of spreading the mac and cheese in a pan and cutting it into "bars" before refrigerating, breading, and frying. This way you can serve mac and cheese "bars" to your kids as a simple, on-the-go snack. Bonus points if you mix some veggies into the mac and cheese before frying to at least serve up a few extra nutrients. 

When it comes to boxed mac and cheese hacks, the general goal is to make standard mac and cheese even cheesier, creamier, and more packed with fat and sodium than the original. Which honestly, makes sense. If you're going to eat comfort food, why not make it as indulgent as possible? One way to maximize the creaminess of your mac and cheese is to switch out regular milk for something even creamier, like heavy cream. The result is a thicker, more decadent mac and cheese, according to Redditor HayleyJ1609, who made the hack by mistake (she had already started making the pasta when she realized she didn't have any milk on hand), but said, "Holy cow, it was the most intense mac and cheese ever." 

She's not alone — in the same Reddit thread, another Redditor suggested using heavy cream and additional grated cheese "FTW" (for the win). In other words, take the creaminess and the cheesiness up a notch. As for what type of cheese to add to the mix ... well, that's up to you. 

Alright, so adding cream of chicken soup to boxed mac and cheese might seem ... weird ... but if you think about it, cream-based soups are an excellent base for casseroles. And really, boxed mac and cheese is just a few ingredients away from being a casserole. Take Reddit's advice and consider ditching the milk in the standard directions, while adding a can of peas and a can of cream of chicken soup instead. One Redditor said it "changed my life." That's high praise for a hack that's so simple. But it makes sense. 

Peas and cream of chicken soup basically turn the standard mac and cheese into a simple casserole. Throw in some diced pieces of chicken, extra veggies, and a layer of breadcrumbs (or crushed Cheez-Its) on top if you really want to transform the basic pasta into a full-on meal. And for the full casserole effect, throw the whole thing in an oven-safe dish and cook for about 30 minutes at 350 F — it'll make those breadcrumbs (or Cheez-Its) and the top layer of cheese and pasta nice and crispy.

It's not just Redditors who know a thing or two about mac and cheese hacks. The social media giant, TikTok, is filled with video tips to make mac and cheese better. For instance, TikTok user, @saucedupfoods, says that to make a creamier, cheesier pot of pasta, you shouldn't follow the cooking directions as listed on the box. Typically, you would make the cheese sauce with butter and milk separate from the pasta. But with this hack, you add the powdered cheese directly to the boiling pasta water. This way, the cheese melts and cooks into the pasta as the pasta is cooking, rather than being added to the pasta after it's done. 

Of course, this TikTok user also added extra shredded cheese to the recipe, so you have to assume that at least some of the boxed-version improvement comes from the added cheese. But a writer who test-drove the hack for The Kitchn admitted that the "hacked" mac and cheese preparation did offer a slight (although almost indiscernible) improvement to the overall texture and flavor of the meal.

While most boxed mac and cheese hacks don't do anything to improve the nutrient content of the dish, that doesn't mean you can't opt for a (somewhat) healthier mac and cheese dish. Just as you can add almost any protein to boxed mac and cheese, you can also add practically any cooked veggie. Canned peas are one option that has already gotten a mention, but don't confine yourself to the little round veggies. Try throwing in sautéed onions, or cooked broccoli or zucchini. And of course, Redditors aren't short on other possible suggestions. For instance, roasted cauliflower, fried okra, diced bell peppers, chopped tomato, sun dried tomatoes, and ketchup (that counts as a vegetable, right?), all made this list. 

So if you start to think of your boxed mac and cheese as a simple base for a full-fledged meal, all you have to do is identify the proteins and veggies you like most with your pasta, and mix them right in. You don't have to mess with the original, but if you're looking for ways to improve the experience, all while on a budget, it's not a bad way to start.