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.

If you're feeling really extravagant, have a go at Jamie Oliver's Lobster Macaroni Cheese - you could even forgo the lobster and just eat the gorgeous mac & cheese: www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pasta-recipes/lobster-mac-n-cheese/

It uses 3 different types of cheese but is SO worth it - very very tasty.

I add broccoli* and make the sauce with half milk, half broccoli water. Also add some English mustard to the sauce, and lots of black pepper. Sometimes add halfed cherry or baby plum tomatoes on top before browning.

*other vegetables are available

a pinch of nutmeg. trust me on this.

Cheese wise I like something strong and something stretchy, so maybe leerdammer and strong cheddar, or parmesan and emmantal.

This thread is horrific, most of these ingredients should never be let loose anywhere near macaroni cheese.

I shared a house with a catering student who put egg in the sauce to get a sliceable bake.

Teaspoon of English mustard and a packet of smoked sausage. Mattesons is the traditional brand in our family but I've also used Polish smoked sausages and had excellent results.

Macaroni, cheese and sausage is probably the most requested family meal for us and has been for 25+ years

Finely crushed cheese & onion crisps mixed in with the cheese that's sprinkled on top! Mmmmm

Smashed up smoky bacon crisps for the topping 👀

I add mushrooms and bacon lardons to mine and mustard in the sauce.

I drizzle with chilli sauce once cooked.

Sliced hot dog sausages

Cheddar, gruyere and Parmesan in the sauce plus a teaspoon of mustard powder in with the flour. Yum.

Sometimes I put a thin smear of tomato Pesto in the bottom of the dish before I put in the pasta and cheese sauce. Also very nice to do that with steamed veg topped with cheese sauce.

I also like breadcrumbs and grated cheese mixed together for a nice crispy top.

And broccoli to. And you must have hot buttered toast with it.

Rich white sauce (a bit more butter than flour), mustard powder to replace 5% of the flour. Full fat milk. Mature cheddar and a little bit of shredded mozzarella for gooeyness. I love macaroni cheese 😍

So it turns out all I've wanted today is macaroni cheese. So I made it using a few hints on here.

I blame you all!!

You’re welcome!

Bacon!

The secret is a really cheesy sauce so I use loads of cheddar and add Parmesan and pecorino to my sauce. I also add cubed pancetta and sometimes a dash of mustard (depending on fussy DC). I add a bit more grated cheese on the top and grill mine just before serving so the cheese is all crispy. 😋

I like roasted cherry tomatoes served alongside.

Colemans mustard powder and Worcestershire sauce.

Nutmeg

These three things IMO make a huge difference:

Seriously Strong Cheddar
Colman's Dried Mustard
Great Scot Dried Onions

I put a heaped teaspoon of the mustard in the flour mix before adding it to the butter to make the roux and then add a heaped tablespoon of dried onions to the white sauce before I add the cheese.

Milder whole grain mustard is better for fussy kids.

Must be extra mature cheddar and lots of it.

Mustard powder, punch of nutmeg, Parmesan, mozzarella and mature cheddar, salt and pepper. Homemade bechamel.