The Only Cheese Combination I Ever Use for the Creamiest Mac and Cheese (2024)

FAQs

What cheese combination is best for mac and cheese? ›

For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes. Parmesan is also ideal for grating on top of mac and cheese before you bake it to add golden color.

Brie is known as the "Queen of Cheeses" and is beloved for its light, buttery, salty taste and smooth, creamy texture. Brie has a thick paste that turns wonderfully runny when left at room temperature and has an edible bloomy outer rind. Brie is one of the most popular types of cheese to grace a charcuterie board.

Cook your noodles in milk instead of water

Cooking your noodles in milk instead of water makes your resulting mac and cheese creamier. According to The Kitchn, cooking your noodles in milk instead of water makes the sauce creamy before you even add the cheese sauce.

While the cream cheese adds an important lusciousness, it doesn't do the macaroni and cheese any favors when it comes to its flavor, so it's important to use the sharpest, tangiest Cheddar you can get your hands on. For perfectly coated noodles, make sure to cook the pasta in the sauce for a minute or two.

Hard cheeses are best with spreadable foods like jam, while soft cheeses go great with crunchy nuts and crackers. The consistency of the cheese is another important factor. Cracker cuts are great to grab and easier for guests than soft, spreadable cheeses.

Cheeses with more moisture and lower melting points make for mouthwatering, creamy cheese sauces. Cheddar is one of the most popular choices, but Swiss and Gruyère are also terrific options.

It's stretchy, it's melty, it's gooey, and it's beautiful. The best cheese for a killer cheese pull is one that's soft and, of course, melts well. The top contenders are cheddar, fontina, and mozzarella.

Burrata cheese is mozzarella that's formed into a thin pouch and then filled with a mixture of soft, stringy curd and cream called stracciatella. It's much softer and creamier than mozzarella with a firm outer layer and creamy, spreadable interior.

Pro Tip: Don't use pre-shredded cheese. Many store-bought shredded cheese brands coat their cheese with an anti-caking agent than can make sauces grainy and less creamy. While it requires a bit of an arm workout, grating your own yields the best texture.

How to make mac and cheese creamy again? ›

The #1 secret to creamy reheated mac and cheese

"Stir in about 2 Tbs. of milk per 1 cup of mac and cheese and reheat," he says. The milk loosens up the pasta and helps create the creamy sauce as it's reheating. Heavy cream works well in this case too and adds an extra touch of richness to the mac and cheese.

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Adding cold butter to the sauce and baking the mac in the oven helps with both texture and flavor. Incorporating things like real cheese, bacon, or leftover veggies can turn boxed mac and cheese into a full meal.

Cheese Pairing: The Gala apple is perfect for snacking or as a topping on a salad. It's crisp fragrant flavor is best enjoyed with the naturally-aged bite of Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar. The combination is balanced and perfect for an afternoon snack.