How to Make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References Tested

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a quick and easy dish that takes only a matter of minutes to prepare! It is often enjoyed without adding any extra ingredients, as it is smooth, creamy, and delicious all on its own. If you like, you can upgrade this regular boxed dish to something a bit more special by adding ingredients such as bacon, ginger, cherry tomatoes, or chili beans. However you choose to prepare your Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, it is sure to always be a success.

Things You Should Know

Boil the macaroni for 7-8 minutes in a pot of boiling water.
Stir the macaroni in a saucepan with butter, milk, and cheese sauce mix.
Give your macaroni a delicious boost with ingredients like bacon, sriracha, cherry tomatoes, or chili beans.

Ingredients

Making Standard Kraft Macaroni and Cheese

6 cups (1.4 L) of water
1 package of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
1/4 cup (55 g) of margarine or butter
¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) of milk

Makes 3 servings

Upgrading Kraft Macaroni and Cheese

3 slices of American cheese
4 slices of bacon
1/2 tsp (5.7 g) of chipotle in adobo
1 tbsp (3.1 g) of fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon (15 ml) of sriracha hot sauce
1/4 cup (25 g) of green onions, chopped
1/4 cup (25 g) of panko
1/2 cup (74.5 g) of cherry tomatoes, halved
¹⁄₄ lb (110 g) of mozzarella balls
1 can of chili beans
1/4 cup (25 g) of cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup (115 g) of sour cream
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Cayenne pepper, to taste
Curry powder, to taste

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making Standard Kraft Macaroni and Cheese

1
Bring 6 cups (1.4 L) of water to a boil in a saucepan. Pour the water into the saucepan. Place the saucepan on the stovetop and adjust the temperature to high. Wait until the water begins to bubble rapidly.^{[1]
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2
Cook the macaroni for 7-8 minutes. Open the package with the dry macaroni in it. Carefully pour it into the boiling water, taking care not to splash the water. Stir the macaroni occasionally as it cooks. You will know that the macaroni is ready when it is soft.^{[2]
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- Pick up a piece of macaroni using a fork after 7 minutes to check that it feels tender. If not, continue boiling the macaroni for an extra 30 seconds and then check it again.^{[3]
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- Use a wooden spoon to stir the macaroni.^{[4]
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- Avoid overcooking the macaroni as it will turn mushy.
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3
Drain the water from the macaroni. Remove the saucepan from the heat once the macaroni is tender. Place a colander in the sink and gently tip the contents of the saucepan into it. The water will drain away, leaving the macaroni in the colander.^{[5]
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- Don’t rinse the macaroni with fresh water.
4
Place the macaroni, margarine or butter, milk, and cheese sauce mix into the saucepan. Transfer the macaroni from the colander back into the saucepan. Add 1/4 cup (55 g) of margarine, ¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) of milk, and the cheese sauce mix into the saucepan.^{[6]
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- The cheese sauce mix is the second packet in the Kraft Macaroni and Cheese box.
5
Stir the ingredients to combine them. Use a wooden spoon to mix together the macaroni, margarine or butter, milk, and cheese sauce. Continue stirring until the cheese sauce, milk, and margarine/butter has dissolved into a smooth and creamy sauce.^{[7]
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Stirring the ingredients in well prevents any lumps forming in the sauce.
6
Serve the macaroni and cheese immediately or store it in the refrigerator. Divide the macaroni and cheese into individual serving bowls. If you don’t want to eat it straight away, let it cool before placing it into an airtight container. Store the airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.^{[9]
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The macaroni and cheese should be stored into the refrigerator within 2 hours of it being cooked.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Upgrading Kraft Macaroni and Cheese

1
Replace some of the margarine with American cheese to make the dish creamier. Once you have cooked the macaroni and are adding the ingredients into the saucepan to make the cheese sauce, replace half of the margarine with 3 slices of American cheese. This means that you will add 1/8 cup (27.5 g) of margarine, 3 slices of American cheese, ¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) of milk, and the cheese sauce mix into the saucepan with the macaroni.
- The American cheese will melt as you stir it in.
- Alternatively, you can add all of the required margarine/butter and 3 slices of American cheese if you want the dish to be extra cheesy However, the dish will become more greasy.
2
Mix in bacon and chipotle for a spicy and smoky dish. Fry 4 slices of bacon while the macaroni is cooking. Slice the bacon into small pieces once it is cooked. Stir in the bacon pieces and 1/2 tsp (5.7 g) of chipotle in adobo once the macaroni and cheese is ready.^{[10]
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3
Add sriracha, ginger, green onions, and panko for a more decadent dish. Add a zing of flavor to amp up a regular boxed macaroni and cheese dish. When the dish is complete, stir in 1 tbsp (3.1 g) of freshly grated ginger and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of sriracha hot sauce. Then sprinkle 1/4 cup (25 g) of green onions and 1/4 cup (25 g) of panko over the top of the dish.^{[11]
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- Panko are Japanese breadcrumbs.
- Adjust the amount of ginger and sriracha hot sauce to taste.
4
Use cherry tomatoes and basil to make a Margarita-themed dish. Cook the macaroni and cheese first. Then stir in 1/2 cup (74.5 g) of halved cherry tomatoes and 1/4 cup (6.25 g) of fresh, chopped basil. This will also make the dish more colorful!^{[12]
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If you want to make the dish cheesier, add ¹⁄₄ lb (110 g) of mozzarella balls.
5
Add chili beans and cheddar cheese to make a hearty meal. Heat up 1 can of chili beans while the macaroni and cheese is cooking. When it’s ready, pour the chili beans over the dish and sprinkle 1/4 cup (25 g) of shredded cheddar cheese on top.^{[13]
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- Add 1/2 cup (115 g) of sour cream just before serving if you prefer.
6
Add your favorite powdered seasonings to jazz it up. Keep it simple by preparing the macaroni and cheese as normal and mixing through salt and freshly ground black pepper once it is ready. Alternatively, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of curry powder to add a spicy hit to this favorite dish.^{[14]
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Community Q&A

Question

How long do the noodles need to be boiled before they are cooked?

Community Answer

It depends on the type of noodle and how many you cook. Check instructions on the box or keep a close eye on the noodles and test the firmness occasionally until the noodles are cooked to your liking.
Question

Can you make mac and cheese without milk?

Community Answer

Yes. It will require more butter or margarine, though.
Question

How much milk is needed in mac and cheese?

Community Answer

This depends on how much pasta you made. If you are unsure, add milk in small amounts and stir it in, repeating as necessary until you achieve the desired creaminess.