(And for more cooking hacks, check out this genius guide to elevating boxed cake mix. Keep reading for a closer look at how to make boxed mac and cheese better. There's even a fun recipe for fried mac and cheese bites that you won't want to miss! You'll also find plenty of ideas for swaps and mix-ins (hello, bacon!) that will transform your standard boxed mac and cheese into a complete and hearty meal. Add 2 tablespoons salt and the macaroni and cook for exactly 4. Prefer your macaroni and cheese on the crispy side? There's a quick hack for that, too. Twenty-four hours before you plan to serve the gratin, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Craving a creamier sauce? A couple of additional ingredients like whole milk and extra butter will do the trick. This list includes 10 easy ways to doctor up boxed mac and cheese to make it taste better-and suit your mood. Using some simple tricks, you can elevate any boxed mac and cheese so it tastes like you made it from scratch. If you're wondering how to make boxed mac and cheese better, you should know that you don't have to stick to the directions on the box.
Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, and while we all love a great homemade version (like Ree Drummond's extra creamy macaroni and cheese), it's helpful to keep store-bought brands on hand for super-quick meals.