12 Delicious Leftover Mac and Cheese Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you make leftover mac and cheese taste better? ›

Use the Oven to Reheat

Add a little bit of extra cheese, and then fill a casserole dish with the mixture. Top with a little bit more cheese and a breadcrumb topping (Zentner adds Goldfish crackers and Espelette pepper to his breadcrumb mixture to bring some extra punch to mac).

In general, leftovers stored in a refrigerator set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower should be eaten within three to four days, according to the USDA. If you can't eat it within that time frame, transfer it to the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

The #1 secret to creamy reheated mac and cheese

"Stir in about 2 Tbs. of milk per 1 cup of mac and cheese and reheat," he says. The milk loosens up the pasta and helps create the creamy sauce as it's reheating. Heavy cream works well in this case too and adds an extra touch of richness to the mac and cheese.

Be careful not to overheat the mac and cheese, which will cause the proteins and fat in the cheese to separate, and which will also make the pasta mushy. If you made a stovetop version of mac and cheese, and you want to reheat it in the oven, it's not ideal, but it will work.

If macaroni and cheese has been left out at room temperature for less than 2 hours, it should be safe to refrigerate and consume later [1]. However, if it has been left out for more than 2 hours, it's best to discard it to avoid the risk of foodborne illness.

Yes. Mac and cheese can be frozen for up to three months. The creamier the mac and cheese sauce is, the better it will be for freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator or microwave before baking.

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.

What is the most perfect cheese to use on Mac & cheese? ›

An overview of Food Network's mac and cheese roundup reveals that most recipes have one type of cheese in common: sharp Cheddar. Sharp Cheddar —especially the inexpensive, mass-market block you can buy at the supermarket —strikes just the right balance between meltability and flavor.

How long do leftovers last? According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that. Some foods should be even be thrown away before the 7 day mark.

Store leftover mac and cheese in a sealed air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days for best quality.

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce.

For a creamier sauce, add an extra tablespoon or two of milk and cheese. Eat immediately. This mac and cheese is best when piping hot from the microwave. If you need to reheat it, add an extra splash of milk.

There wasn't enough cheese

If you're baking your mac and cheese, don't forget to top it off with a healthy amount of fresh cheese. “Too often, people skip this step thinking that their sauce is cheesy enough, when in fact this layer is meant to keep the moistness inside the dish,” said Menager.