The Simple Water Swap That Makes Instant Mac And Cheese Extra Creamy

Whether you're a busy college student, a hungry child, or an adult searching for some easy nostalgia, microwavable mac and cheese bowls are a simple, savory delight. The only problem is that they sometimes taste a little bland and watery, and the sauce tends to have a thin mouthfeel. Thankfully, there are a few ways to improve the consistency and flavor. One creamy ingredient you need for better mac and cheese out of the microwave is probably exactly what you'd expect — milk!

While not needing milk is one of the major features of microwave mac and cheese, that doesn't mean you can't add it anyway. There are two ways you can incorporate milk, or even half-and-half, into your microwaveable meal. First, only add half the usual water, then replace the other half with milk. Microwave and prep as usual, taking care not to let the contents burn. You can even mix in the cheese powder with the milk before heating, for a sauce that thickens better.

The other method is to stir in a little milk after the pasta is cooked. You can drain out the water, then add milk as the liquid base before mixing in the salty, cheesy powder. Alternatively, include just a splash of milk for better flavor if you want to conserve your limited ingredients. Follow this simple but right way to heat mac and cheese in the microwave, and you'll end up with an extra creamy, luxurious treat every time.

Microwavable cups of mac and cheese that only need water generally still have plenty of dairy in them  — it's in the powder. Kraft Easy Mac, which popularized microwave mac and cheese cups back in 2006, has powdered milk products in its sauce packets, so that it still tastes somewhat creamy when mixed with water. However, reconstituted milk powder doesn't offer the same richness as liquid milk, which is why adding some of your own makes such a big difference. The fat in the milk mixes smoothly with the cheese powder and thickens well when heated. It's added to boxed mac and cheese, so it just makes sense to include it here as well.

There are a few other simple hacks you can do to spruce up your microwave mac and cheese cups. A little butter bumps up the richness, and a dollop of cream cheese cranks things up even further. Spices, such as garlic powder or paprika, elevate the flavors and give the cheese sauce more depth. Adding shredded cheese and giving it a little extra zap in the microwave will get you a cravable, gooey texture. Folks online say that one of the best ways to heat pasta in the microwave is by microwaving it partway, then adding your extra ingredients before finishing the cook time. If you want to go the extra mile, there are even ways to make microwave mac and cheese cups entirely from scratch. No matter how you decide to hack your mac, milk is one trick that's an instant success.