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.

Sautéed onions, diced gammon and some english mustard in the cheese sauce.

Cayenne pepper and Colman's mustard powder in the sauce.

If you're not counting calories:

• Extra cheesy macaroni

With sides of

• Salty fries
• Salad with tomatoes
• Saag paneer or just some spiced spinach (weird I know but adds flavour to a mild dish!)

Panko breadcrumbs mixed with the cheese on top makes a lovely crust too.

fry lardons as topping and use the fat as base for the cheese sauce.

a bit of mustard in the sauce lifts it.

add cubed carrots and courgette to the pasta cooking water for extra veg.

never ever breadcrumbs on the top it should be smothered in a comforting blanket of cheese.

Cherry tomatoes (loafs, like two punnets) and English mustard.

Dh said he puts a squirt of tomato puree in his i did not know that

I cover mine in copious amounts of Frank's Red Hot Sauce while my DP looks on in horror

I'm sure I found out after I tried it that it's a thing. Cajun Mac and cheese or something.

It's amazing.

Good cheesy sauce made with parmigiano and a crunchy cheddar. English mustard added into the pot. Full fat milk.
I use larger pasta rather than macaroni so it’s not as sloppy. Fusilli usually.
I add either streaky bacon I’ve cooked until crispy then chopped or al dente cauliflower. The whole glutinous dish is covered with breadcrumbs mixed with the cheeses and a bit of bacon, if it’s the bacon version. Cooked until crispy.

Great tips here! I also add a pinch of mustard powder to the cheese sauce. My tin of Colmans has a BBE date in 2013, it's fine, and only ever gets used a pinch at a time in pasta or cauliflower cheese.

Sometimes I put a pinch of chilli flakes in, as my adult DD loves chilli in anything. Or paprika, or cayenne pepper with grated cheese browned on the top. Bacon, pancetta or chorizo are all popular here.

Chop then fry together a pack of smoked back bacon and one big or two small leeks. Then make your sauce in the same pan.

Don't cook your pasta. Just put it all in a big dish, add a pint of milk, cover with plenty of grated cheese and put in the oven for about 45 minutes.

Check on it and add more liquid if needed.

OMG that video LoungeLizardLhama If only I knew where to get Velveeta in the UK I'd be making it now. Will just use 3 tons of extra cheddar I think!

Little bit of Franks Red Hot Sauce.

Roast butternut squash and blend in. Also nice with onion added as well

Jalapeños (for those that want them) and crushed tortilla chips on top, browned under the grill. I do a mix of Monterey Jack and mature cheddar cheese. I have tried so many versions and variations and this method is the favourite in our house. When I try anything different I get complaints!

Sundries tomatoes, bacon, leek, mushrooms all good additions. Plus a crunchy top.

I like the Nigella Sweet Potato version too.

Crispy bacon bits, peas and pesto in mine. Cheddar and mozzarella on the top. So it's not proper but it's much more interesting...

Truffle oil. Trust me

And I cook a baguette with oil and salt for 8 mins then put it in top of the macoroni with some parmesan when it comes to baking

Use some gruyere cheese as well as lots of cheddar. Add some siracha chilli sauce to your cheese sauce - makes it more savoury somehow

I tend to add some crumbly feta for saltiness and loads of extra flavour. Also garlic and mustard, but they've been mentioned already.

More cheese

Mac'n'cheese is one of the best comfort foods! Loads of cheese, a bit of bacon maybe and crispy topping. Oooh, I really want some now....

The strongest cheese you can buy, then you need less of it.
A little mustard.
A crusty top with breadcrumbs and cheese under the grill.
Add bacon.

One of my fave meals!

I make it with Philadelphia, milk, cheddar and gouda. All in the pot and stir until it combines. Yum!