Adding new flavors and textures is a great way to take macaroni from boring to extraordinary. You don’t need to make an extra trip to the store to try Betty’s new takes on the comfort-food classic; in fact, you probably have most of the ingredients on hand already. Simply start with a basic macaroni recipe—like our top-notch Family-Favorite Macaroni and Cheese—and give it a new twist with any of the following ingredients.
Sprinkle on before baking:
- Mix ½ cup fresh or dried bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
- One-half cup crushed plain potato chips (flavored chips tend to get too brown if added before baking)
- One-half cup French-fried onions
Add just before removing from oven:
- One-half cup additional shredded cheese (bake 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted)
Sprinkle on about ½ cup of any of the following after baking—or serve alongside:
- Crushed plain or flavored croutons
- Crushed crackers, flavored potato chips or snack chips
- Chopped fresh parsley or other herbs
- Sliced or cubed avocado
- Thinly sliced or chopped tomatoes
- Salsa or sour cream
- Diced bell peppers
- Sliced olives
Keys to Success:
- Cook pasta before mixing with sauce. It will not get tender if added uncooked.
- Cook flour mixture until smooth and bubbly.
- Stir constantly while making sauce, so that the flour mixture thickens the milk evenly.
- Serve immediately so pasta will be creamy and not continue to soak up the sauce.
Swap the Cheese:
Use any of these cheeses in place of all or part of the cheddar in
Betty’s Family-Favorite Macaroni and Cheese:
- Asiago or parmesan (up to 1 cup)
- Blue or gorgonzola crumbled (up to 1 cup)
- Brie crumbled (up to 1 cup)
- Cheddar (white or smoked)
- Colby
- Edam
- Fontina
- Gouda (regular or smoked)
- Gruyère
- Havarti
- Jarlsberg
- Manchego
- Monterey Jack or pepper jack
- Swiss