Way better than the blue box stuff.
Those little orange or blue boxes have been my friends since I was a kid.
They represented simple, comforting meals I could make myself.
Simply Recipes / Photo by Sara Bir / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham
Ditto the years I spent as a clueless adult making my way in the world.
Now my daughters the one who consumes boxed macaroni and cheese as if it were its own food group.
I wanted to wrangle a little more control over what goes into it, so I developed my own.
Simply Recipes / Sara Bir
Were delighted with the results and I think you will be, too.
Good-quality brands found online will list real cheese as their main ingredient.
If you prefer a brand without artificial color, tryAnthonys Cheddar Cheese Powder.
I liked the flavor, but found it was prone to some lumps that didnt dissolve easily.
Tapioca flour is not difficult to find in the gluten-free section of the baking aisle.
I getBobs Red Millbrand.
The Best Pasta for the Job
Plain old cheapo macaroni seems obvious here.
I also tried mini-penne, which was a hit.
Whole-wheat macaroni, which I typically love in recipes, didnt turn out so great.
The heartier, wheaty texture also felt off.
Thats half a stick, which is a lot for 2 1/2 servings.
It also tends to mask the actual cheese flavor.
Out of Milk or Butter?
Try These Subs
Sometimes were out of milk.
But if you wanted to batch mix it, thats possibleId recommend sifting the ingredients together.
Youll need 3 tablespoons of dry cheese mix for one batch.
Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
When the water is at a full rolling boil, add the pasta.
Cook until the pasta is done to your liking, about 8 minutes.
Simple Tip!
Drain the pasta in a colander.
Do not rinse or shake out the excess water.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and return the hot, empty pot to the burner.
Add the butter and melt.
Stir in the milk and all of the cheese powder mix.
Stir until the lumps mostly disappear and the sauce is creamy and thickens a bit.
Add the hot drained pasta and stir until well-coated.
Refrigerate leftover macaroni and cheese in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
For creamier leftovers, add a splash more water when you reheat it in the microwave.
I like mine straight from the fridge.
Let us know with a rating and review!
