Macaroni and Cheese with Buttery Crumbs (2024)

Frequently asked questions

Why put breadcrumbs on mac and cheese?

Not only does a breadcrumb topping for mac and cheese provide great textural contrast to the creaminess within, but it also adds even more flavor to the dish. Here, the breadcrumbs are tossed with melted butter and seasoned, ensuring they bake up into a delightfully crisp, golden crust that yields to each forkful of gooey, cheesy noodles.

What are the best cheeses for mac and cheese?

When it comes to making macaroni and cheese, using a combination of two or more types of cheese is key to achieving both a big cheesy flavor and a wonderfully creamy texture. For this recipe, we get the best of both worlds by pairing an assertive sharp cheddar with mild-mannered Colby, which is a natural melter, in a ratio of 2-to-1. What's "best" ultimately depends on your own preference, so think of it like a custom blend: Match a bold-flavored cheese with one that has superb meltability to reach mac and cheese nirvana.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Be sure to purchase block cheese for this recipe, not the pre-shredded kind. For the best melt, you'll want to dice it into half-inch cubes, which won't clump like grated cheese tends to do. Half of the cheese gets stirred into the hot sauce, and the other half is tossed with the pasta and sauce before it's baked to create tiny pockets of gooey cheese throughout.

If you'd like to make this dish in advance, you can assemble it ahead of time and then refrigerate it overnight. Bring it to room temperature before baking.

Macaroni and Cheese with Buttery Crumbs (2024)

FAQs

Should you add butter to mac and cheese? ›

The best macaroni and cheese starts with lots of butter, whole milk, and sharp cheddar cheese. It's the ultimate comfort food and is the perfect dish for a cold winter night – or anytime, really.

Why put breadcrumbs on mac and cheese? ›

Why put breadcrumbs on mac and cheese? Not only does a breadcrumb topping for mac and cheese provide great textural contrast to the creaminess within, but it also adds even more flavor to the dish.

What to add to macaroni and cheese to make it taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

What can you use instead of breadcrumbs in mac and cheese? ›

Use either herbed crushed cornflakes or plain crushed cornflakes in the same way you'd use breadcrumbs to coat a vegetable or cutlet dredged in egg or to top a dish like mac and cheese or broccoli casserole before it goes into the oven.

What happens if you add extra butter to mac and cheese? ›

You could start by adding double the butter called for on the box and adjusting as needed -- it may require some trial and error the first time around, but it will be worth it. The result will be a bowl of mac and cheese that is so rich and creamy that you may even forget that it came from a box.

What does adding more milk to mac and cheese do? ›

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!)

When not to use breadcrumbs? ›

Breadcrumbs are not to be used everywhere, they should never replace the main navigation or on-page navigation of a website, such as that of a header or sidebar. Many basic sites will only need main navigation.

Can you add breadcrumbs to boxed mac and cheese? ›

Add a crunchy topping

A crispy layer of breadcrumbs will give your mac and cheese a little extra oomph. For this version, top prepared mac and cheese with a buttery breadcrumb mixture, then broil on low for 10 minutes.

Why do people put mayo in mac and cheese? ›

Adding a dollop of mayo to your sauce adds a tasty layer to the dish and prevents the cheese from cancelling out all the other ingredients.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste bland? ›

If your mac and cheese tastes bland, it's either because it's under-seasoned, you didn't use flavorful cheese, or you didn't use enough cheese. Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it.

Why put mustard in mac and cheese? ›

Mustard Powder: The secret ingredient you should always add to your Mac and cheese. The acidity in the mustard helps cut through the fat. You can find it in the spice section of any major grocery store. Otherwise, swap it for 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of Dijon or yellow mustard to taste or omit it.

Can I use panko instead of breadcrumbs? ›

Panko and breadcrumbs can certainly be used interchangeably. Both items are used to serve the same purpose — a crispy topping for baked casseroles, breaded coating for fried foods, and binder for meatballs and veggie burgers.

How do you turn on breadcrumbs on a Mac? ›

Press ⌘⇧A (macOS) / Ctrl+Shift+A , to display the Find Actions dialog. Type in 'editor breadcrumbs' and select the option you want. You can hide the editor breadcrumbs completely to maximise editor space.

What to use if you don't have breadcrumbs? ›

For ¼ cup fine, dry bread crumbs, substitute any of these items:
  • ¾ cup soft bread crumbs.
  • ¼ cup panko.
  • ¼ cup cracker or pretzel crumbs.
  • ¼ cup crushed cornflakes or other unsweetened cereals.
  • ⅔ cup regular rolled oats (Use this only as a substitute for bread crumbs in meat loaf and other meat mixtures, such as burgers.
May 24, 2023

What keeps mac and cheese moist? ›

There are a few different ways to keep your macaroni and cheese moist, from adding a solid layer of shredded cheese on top to holding back on the cream when making your sauce.

How much butter to add to Kraft macaroni and cheese? ›

Making Standard Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
  1. 6 cups (1.4 L) of water.
  2. 1 package of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.
  3. 1/4 cup (55 g) of margarine or butter.
  4. 14 cup (59 ml) of milk.

Can you skip the butter in Kraft mac and cheese? ›

While I was cooking the pasta, I noticed a tip listed on the very bottom of the box: If you want a creamier mac and cheese, try replacing the butter and milk with a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt.

How do you keep mac and cheese from sticking together? ›

It's kind of a no brainer, but stirring the pasta helps keep the noodles moving and breaks up sticky spots before they become full-on clumps. But you don't have to sit over the pot and stir constantly. Aim to stir the pasta fully within the first two minutes of cooking, then another time or two while the pasta cooks.

References

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