How do you make Mac and cheese/pasta bake tastier

[Em2122]

Every time I make a cheesy white sauce for a pasta bake, it is nice but it’s a bit plain. No matter how much cheese I put in it, it just tastes like a plain white sauce. I add some djon mustard and either mature cheddar or Parmesan. I only get the cheese flavour from adding it to the top with breadcrumbs. I feel like there’s no point even adding the cheese. Morrison’s do a really nice mac and cheese in their fridge isle and I want mine to taste more like that!

[Snowpaw]

Salt

[Brunelofbrio]

I finely chop red onion, gherkins, capers and parsley and serve them on the side for the adults in the house to add at the table. The DCs prefer it bland...

[Chillipeanuts]

Dollop of marmite, adds richness.

[Spam88]

You need like equal amounts of sauce and cheese.

[NoGravyForYou]

I also use cream instead of milk or a mix of milk and cream when I being very indulgent. Also tear up nice crusty bread and layer it on top with Parmesan grated on top.

Gonna have to make mac n cheese this week now 🙈

[NoGravyForYou]

Mac and cheese needs a mix of cheese ( mature cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan is what I use), mustard and more salt and white pepper than you think you will need. Bacon bits also makes it yummy.

[LadyFuschia]

Simmer the milk with a bay leaf & onion, strain, use for the white sauce; then add mustard. It gives it some oomph!

[blackice]

Truffle oil
Breadcrumbs on top

[TeddyIsaHe]

Seasoning! Dairy needs loads more salt than you think. A good teaspoon for a large mac and cheese, if not more.

Generally if something is bland, you need to add more salt.

You can also use stock instead of milk which will also you the flavour.

[Ylvamoon]

Extra parmesan, cheese spread and nutmeg.

[Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese]

Extra mature chedder and nutmeg.

Ask dh and he'll say bits of bacon
Ask dd she'll say tomatoes

[TimothyTerrible]

Cayenne pepper and black pepper. And more cheese, and then some more.

[enjoyingscience]

We did one this evening - put a sautéed leek and diced roast squash in it, proper lovely. More cheese than you think reasonable, mustard and salt are important for sure.

[doodleygirl]

Jamie Oliver’s green Mac and cheese, so delicious

[OxfordMum1983]

Made a good one today. I’ve iterated over time to improve mine. Works for pasta and or cauliflower/ broccoli.

My hints:
Cheese sauce

• use real butter for the roux, not ‘spread’.
  
• cheese: extra mature/vintage cheddar ( or other v strong hard cheese eg aged Gouda, red fox, Parmesan) and more than you think
  
• season well, Dijon , dash Worcester sauce
  

Top with more grated cheese

Cook some Leeks/ peppers / bacon and mix in if desired .

[bearlyactive]

I add bacon and spring onions (at the end), and garlic powder, mustard, chives and a mixture of cheeses to mine.

[DuesToTheDirt]

A teaspoon of cumin seeds added to the butter at the start is really good.

[georgedawes]

Yeah the recipes are always way off - I double the cheese!

I also like Nigella's recipe which uses evaporated milk and/or blending cauliflower in.

[GinWithASplashOfTonic]

Add Tomato and bacon

[catinb0oots]

Carbing

[ACauliflowerAndARose]

Mushrooms, peas and Parmesan on top

[catinb0oots]

I also prefer a cheese sauce made of cream cheese and cream rather than a traditional white sauce (also good for low carving)

[catinb0oots]

And a shit ton of strong cheddar

[catinb0oots]

Feta cheese, mustard powder and white pepper

[TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead]

Better cheddar

Not Tesco’s own or sad medium cheddar

It needs proper mature cheddar which costs more but you need less