Macaroni cheese - hit me with your secrets

[snappycamper]

AIBU to find macaroni cheese really dull?

The family love it but it's so plain... what do you add to yours to gift it a lift? I feel there must be a secret ingredient that I'm missing, mine is never as good as others I've had.

Every time I add something they all moan.

Coleman blue packet is a favourite in this house and I have tried every other receipe going

Add more cheese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fried Bacon and leak is also nice to include.

A teaspoon of Colman’s mustard in your cheese sauce.

English mustard in the cheese sauce. Just a touch - unless you want to blast your sinuses out - but it gives the sauce loads of depth.

X-post with @Shockers (is that you mum?)

A little Garlic, puréed onion or diced shallots and a bit of Colman's mustard. Also I make mine with creme fraiche. It's much easier and the tanginess adds flavour.

Bacon bits and peas. And a splosh of English mustard on the sauce. I love the cacon bits 😊

*bacon

Teaspoon of mustard powder in with the flour when making the cheese sauce. Crispy bacon on top mmmm.

Cauliflower, fried bacon, loads of cheese on top and then topped with stuffing. Yum.

I use this recipe but add a shed load more cheese not so slimming friendly!

www.slimmingworld.co.uk/recipes/macaroni-cheese

Colman’s, bacon and spring onions here

I do Hugh FWs recipe which has a pinch of cayenne pepper and lots of strong cheddar.

Bacon, garlic.
Blue cheese in the sauce also gives a nice variation.

add more than one variety of cheese

Pancetta, kale and blue cheese. Mmm.

A seasonal variant involving leftover sprouts, pancetta and chestnuts is also popular here!

Bacon and leek or onion and a mature cheddar my dhs is nicer than mine though not sure why.

lisj650918.blogspot.com/2012/10/gordons-macaroni-cheese-by-gordon-ramsay.html?m=1

Faff/expensive but worth it.

English mustard in the sauce and a mixture of mature cheddar and Mexicana cheese for a bit of a kick.

Pigs in blankets.

DH swears by mustard powder. It's literally the only use for mustard powder I've ever come across (when we first moved in together he brought with him a gin that was already 5 years out of date )

I enjoy either whole grain or English mustard, but I have also known people who added Marmite or paprika or jalapeño. You can adjust the type of cheese for different tastes as well.

(Right now I fancy a jalapeño/cream cheese/cheddar batch with a crunchy top.

Nutmeg in the cheese sauce and three times more cheese than the recipe says. Sprinkle with Worcester sauce after dishing it up.

Smoked paprika! Or try Nigella’s sweet potato macaroni cheese - it’s amazing.

I make a crunchy topping with coarse breadcrumbs, Mixed with melted butter and much more cheese. Spread it over the dish for the last 20 mins or so of the cooking time.
Everyone loves a crunchy topping!
Also love it served with several shakes of Tabasco and spicy sausages. But we are chilli-heads.