Doctored Box Mac and Cheese the Way I Do It
Transform your favorite comfort food into a gourmet delight with "Doctored Box Mac and Cheese the Way I Do It." This quick and easy recipe takes boxed mac and cheese to the next level, blending creamy sharp cheddar, velvety cream cheese, and a hint of garlic and onion powder for a rich, flavor-packed cheese sauce. Customize it with optional mix-ins like crispy bacon, steamed broccoli, or spicy jalapeños to suit your taste. Finished with a golden, buttery layer of toasted panko breadcrumbs for irresistible crunch, this elevated mac and cheese is perfect for weeknight dinners or indulgent side dishes. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the ultimate combination of convenience and decadence!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 box boxed macaroni and cheese
- 0.5 cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoons onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 0.5 cup optional mix-ins (e.g., cooked bacon bits, steamed broccoli, or diced jalapeños)
- 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter (for toasting breadcrumbs)
Instructions
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta from the boxed mac and cheese according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the enhanced cheese sauce. In the same pot you cooked the pasta, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
Add the milk, shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, the dry cheese packet from the box, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper. Stir constantly until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Return the cooked pasta to the pot with the cheese sauce. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta.
If using optional mix-ins like bacon bits, steamed vegetables, or jalapeños, stir them into the mac and cheese at this point.
In a small pan, toast the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter over medium heat until golden brown and crispy. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
Transfer the mac and cheese to a serving dish, top with toasted breadcrumbs, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
504 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.9 g | 38% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.9 g | 80% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 71 mg | 24% | |
| Sodium | 753 mg | 33% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 48.1 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.7 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.6 g | ||
| Protein | 17.3 g | 35% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 376 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 245 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
