Disappointing Macaroni and Cheese

[BadActingParsley]

I haven't made it in a while, I was looking for a soothing carby meal for one last night. I added mustard powder, strong cheddar, a bit of stilton I had left over - but seedy, parmesany, breadcrumbs on top. Used milk not cream. But it was still lacking in any flavour at all really. I'm not sure I could have added any more cheese.... Is it just what it is?

You need bacon lardons in it.

What quantity of cheese did you use and how much bechamel?

I often add a bit of sriracha sauce or similar to the sauce as well.

Bacon or chorizo bits. Plenty of pepper in the bechamel.
I do strong cheddar, parmesan and a big squeeze of mustard in the sauce. Genuinely disgusting amount of cheese! More than you think you need.
Always made with milk. I don't do breadcrumbs.

You could try adding a bit of freshly grated nutmeg or cayenne pepper.

Good grating of nutmeg is essential IMHO!!

I use a tin of condensed chicken soup instead of bechamel. And a huge amount of cheese. Is it still technically macaroni cheese? No idea, but it's very nice.

Made one this weekend with onion, garlic and mushroom, no bacon as vegetarian. An old piece of cheddar and milk,never cream, it was very tasty!

I always add Gruyère and Parmesan along with cheddar to the bechamel sauce, it really ups the flavour, as does some black pepper and nutmeg. Making a really tasty macaroni cheese always seems to require more cheese than I expect!

White pepper!

Normal macaroni cheese is pretty dull tbh
my kids love it. I do a version for myself and partner with boiled egg, onions, mushroom and bacon lardons in, it’s lovely.
the kids like bacon bits but that’s it so boring 🥱

Salt and pepper?

Add a bit of MSG.

I like the nutmeg idea...and maybe more cheese - it was already a ridiculous amount though. There was pepper but no added salt other than the cheese.

Bacon is a great idea too but I think that turns it more into pasta bake territory and I might as well start adding, peas, mushroom and spinach etc.

I did put chill flakes in ... I might add hot sauce to the leftovers tonight (I might fry the leftovers tonight....)

Macaroni cheese is a blah side dish.

yes, maybe my tastes have changed....

A tv chef did a recipe I love for macaroni cheese. Fry Chopped spring onions and pancetta, add to bechamel with loads of cheddar and mozzarella, and also St Agur. It’s incredible.

I wonder if we are just so used to spices now that subtler tastes are beyond our palate. I keep it simple with just cheese, pepper and mustard powder but I still wear it as a badge of honor that dds little friends mum asked me for the recipe because her dd couldn't stop going on about my amazing macaroni cheese.

Blue cheese is a good addition for flavour

Salt. Everything needs salt or it’s bland.

Nutritional yeast in mac and cheese really gives it a boost

A squeeze of lemon juice and grain mustard, as well as English mustard, makes it all a bit more savoury.

You basically need an equal weight of dried pasta to cheese. Nutritional yeast can help reduce the cheese a bit, but still.

I add a splash of truffle oil when serving to really up the flavour.

You need peas or sweetcorn to offset it a bit.

3 ingredients
Boil macaroni in MILK.
one el dente stir in grated cheese.
Eat
(add jalapeños for adults)