Last updated: Oct 8, 2020 by ·
Baked Mac and Cheese from a box is the best of both worlds: a fast and convenient side dish that tastes homemade!
Why I love this recipe
- it's super fast and easy, preheat the oven while you boil your macaroni noodles
- all the taste of homemade without the hassle
- super kid-friendly
Ingredients
- box mac and cheese
- breadcrumbs
- shredded cheese
Step by step
- Prepare a box of mac & cheese (the kind with pasta and a pouch of cheese sauce) according to the box directions - I use Kraft made with 2% milk mac & cheese or even our local grocery store brand.
- Pour the mac & cheese into a baking dish (8x8 or similar size) prepared with non-stick spray. Sprinkle the top with a handful of bread crumbs - panko or Italian seasoned are our family's favorite - and then top with ¼ cup of your favorite shredded cheese!
- Bake until the mac and cheese is bubbly and the cheese is melted! I like the cheese toasty and crispy and brown 😉
Variations
This can easily be adapted to your family's tastes: add broccoli, crispy bacon, ham or even a can of rotel (drained) to the macaroni before you pour it in the baking dish!
FAQs
What kind of cheese is best for mac and cheese?
I prefer a cheddar cheese for this but you can easily use a Mexican blend, shredded colby jack, or experiment with your favorites.
Do I need to cover it with foil?
Because we're just crisping the top you do not need to cover this mac with foil.
Can you make this ahead?
You can make the mac and cheese ahead of time but I would wait to add the breadcrumbs and extra cheese until you are ready to bake.
How do you store/reheat this recipe?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven. (Time will vary depending on how much you are reheating.)
Description
Baked Mac and Cheese from a box is the best of both worlds: a fast and convenient side dish that tastes homemade!
- 1 box macaroni and cheese (with premade sauce)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 shredded cheddar cheese
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 by 9 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Prepare mac and cheese according to package instructions and place in a baking dish.
- Cover with breadcrumbs, then top with shredded cheese.
- Bake until cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes.
Notes
- use mac and cheese with premade sauce, not powdered
- you can substitute your favorite cheese
- keep leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days
- reheat in microwave
Keywords: baked box mac and cheese
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18 ratings · 40 minutes · Vegetarian · Serves 5
This recipe came from a Kraft newsletter. Its very simple, takes the blue box of mac and cheese and adds just a few ingredients and steps to make it taste a bit more homemade.
This recipe came from a Kraft newsletter. Its very simple, takes the blue box of mac and cheese and adds just a few ingredients and steps to make it taste a bit more homemade.
1 tbsp Butter or 1 tablespoon margarine
1/4 tsp Red pepper, ground
6 Butter flavored crackers
1 (14 ounce) package Kraft macaroni and cheese
Ralph Smith
Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, and while we all love a great homemade version (like Ree Drummond's extra creamy macaroni and cheese), it's helpful to keep store-bought brands on hand for super-quick meals. If you're wondering how to make boxed mac and cheese better, you should know that you don't have to stick to the directions on the box. Using some simple tricks, you can elevate any boxed mac and cheese so it tastes like you made it from scratch.
This list includes 10 easy ways to doctor up boxed mac and cheese to make it taste better—and suit your mood. Craving a creamier sauce? A couple of additional ingredients like whole milk and extra butter will do the trick. Prefer your macaroni and cheese on the crispy side? There's a quick hack for that, too. You'll also find plenty of ideas for swaps and mix-ins (hello, bacon!) that will transform your standard boxed mac and cheese into a complete and hearty meal. There's even a fun recipe for fried mac and cheese bites that you won't want to miss!
Keep reading for a closer look at how to make boxed mac and cheese better. (And for more cooking hacks, check out this genius guide to
elevating boxed cake mix.)
Want more recipes, design ideas, and fun updates from Ree? Follow The Pioneer Woman Magazine on Facebook for all of that and more!
Is anything more comforting than baked pasta? For that classic crispy finish, double your boxed recipe and prepare as directed, then pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake or broil until bubbly and golden on top.
SHOP MACARONI AND CHEESE
Ree loves to boost the flavor of her homemade macaroni and cheese with dried mustard, cayenne pepper, paprika, and thyme, and you can do the same with boxed mac and cheese. Just add one or more of the spices to the pot along with the powdered cheese, milk, and butter, whisking to combine.
SHOP SPICES
Make a shortcut version of Ree's Tex-Mex mac and cheese by starting with your favorite boxed brand. You can use what's in the box for the noodles and cheese, then follow the rest of her recipe for incorporating poblano chile pepper, fire-roasted corn, and other mix-ins.
Get Ree's recipe.
4
Make it a shortcut carbonara
Take inspiration from Ree's shells and cheese recipe and top prepared mac and cheese with diced cooked bacon and peas. If you're feeling fancy, you can even turn it into a quick twist on pasta carbonara by adding a fried egg.
Get Ree's recipe for shells and cheese.
You can turn that packet of powdered cheese into a creamy, delicious sauce with a few quick additions: whole milk, butter, American cheese, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.
Get the recipe at Loaves and Dishes.
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.
Get the recipe at Cutefetti.
A bowl of mac and cheese is a great place to sneak in some healthy mix-ins (for the kids or yourself). Try adding sautéed mushrooms, wilted greens like kale or spinach, or roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or butternut squash.
Get the recipe at Sweetish.co.
Store-bought mac and cheese often comes with tiny shells or straight macaroni, but the best homemade versions call for pasta shapes that really catch all that cheesy sauce. Consider swapping in elbow macaroni or corkscrew-shaped cavatappi (Ree's favorite!) for a quick upgrade. (You can save the noodles that came in the box for soups or pasta salads.)
SHOP PASTA
Mix in a cooked protein for a more complete meal. Italian sausage, grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, and—of course—bacon are all great additions to mac and cheese.
10
Make fried mac and cheese bites
Fried mac and cheese bites are a fun appetizer, and they're super easy to make when you start with a boxed mix. The coating in this version is crushed cheese crackers. Yum!
Get the recipe at TEXAZ TASTE.