I Tried Ina Garten’s Famous Mac and Cheese Recipe (& Here’s What I Thought) (2024)

FAQs

Why is mac and cheese bad? ›

Are mac and cheese healthy, yes or no? Unfortunately, traditional mac and cheese tends to be unhealthy because it contains high amounts of saturated fats and sodium from butter, cheese, and milk. Additionally, it is calorie-dense and not ideal for those trying to lose weight.

Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese is a simplified recipe. Just boil pasta in milk and then, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to it. Merge all the elements and Gordon Ramsay's mac and cheese will be ready in no time.

Sauce too thick? Stir in a splash of milk and mix until the sauce has loosened up. (This is also a great trick for reheating mac and cheese - if you're microwaving leftovers and the sauce seems to have dried up, stir a splash of milk or half-and-half into the pasta to bring the sauce back to life!)

The Worst Types of Cheese

Those preservatives keep the pieces from melting evenly, and you'll end up with gritty, lumpy mac & cheese. Dry, crumbly cheeses like feta or cotija are not ideal.

Obviously, mac-and-cheese isn't poisonous on its own, but the yellow food colorings #5 and #6 have been shown to cause hypersensitivity in children, which is why the countries of Finland, Norway, and Australia have banned manufactures from using artificial food coloring.

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Pro Tip: Don't use pre-shredded cheese. Many store-bought shredded cheese brands coat their cheese with an anti-caking agent than can make sauces grainy and less creamy. While it requires a bit of an arm workout, grating your own yields the best texture.

For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes. Parmesan is also ideal for grating on top of mac and cheese before you bake it to add golden color.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

I think sour cream is a great substitute! However, it may change the flavor just slightly. For sour cream, mix it in just like I outlined in the cream cheese example, but with far less or no extra liquid. Sour cream is slightly sour (duh), so this may impact the final flavor a bit.

Key #2: Use Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Using evaporated milk also means you don't have to make a roux. Many mac and cheese recipes require a roux for thickening and to stabilize the sauce. While this approach certainly works, it can leave the sauce thick and gloppy, and the flour dulls the flavor of the cheese.

Can you put too much cheese in mac and cheese? Yes, adding more cheese than a recipe calls for will not improve the dish. Too much cheese will result in a dish that is heavy and greasy.

The origin of the term "Mac and Cheese" is believed to be from the United States, where it is a classic comfort food dish made from elbow macaroni pasta mixed with a cheese sauce. The dish has been popular in the United States since the late 19th century, and it has been a staple of American cuisine for many years.

All is not lost, mac and cheese can be a wholesome, healthy dish. Cheese is a great source of protein and calcium, and pasta adds fiber and energy-producing carbohydrates. You can enjoy simple and traditional recipes as long as you keep the portions small.

The pasta used in mac and cheese is also made from refined flour, which can be hard on the digestive system. Furthermore, the preparation of mac and cheese can also contribute to its difficulty in digestion. Many recipes call for the use of heavy cream or butter, which can add even more fat and calories to the dish.

Mac and cheese has little nutritional value with the exception of a small amount of protein, riboflavin, thiamine and folate. It is highly caloric. A package contains just under 1000 calories, when prepared. Some mac and cheese variations contain a cheese mix, which isn't real cheese.