How to Make Costco Mac and Cheese Even Better

How to Make Costco Mac and Cheese Better

Costco’s mac and cheese is a delicious and affordable comfort food, but it can be a bit bland. With a few simple additions, you can easily transform this classic dish into something truly special.

In this article, I’ll share my tips for making Costco mac and cheese better. I’ll cover everything from choosing the right ingredients to adding flavorful sauces and toppings. So whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a more impressive dish for a special occasion, read on for all the details!

| Step | Instructions | Notes |
|—|—|—|
| 1 | Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). | |
| 2 | Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. | Drain and set aside. |
| 3 | In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. | Add the flour and whisk to combine. |
| 4 | Slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. | Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until thickened. |
| 5 | Remove from heat and stir in the cheese, salt, and pepper. | |
| 6 | Add the cooked macaroni and stir to combine. | |
| 7 | Pour the macaroni and cheese into a 9×13 inch baking dish. | |
| 8 | Top with the breadcrumbs and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. | |
| 9 | Let cool for a few minutes before serving. | |

Costco’s mac and cheese is a popular dish, but it can be a bit bland. With a few simple additions, you can make it even better! In this article, we will share some tips on how to make Costco mac and cheese better. We will cover everything from choosing the right ingredients to adding your own personal touches. So whether you’re looking to make a simple weeknight meal or a special occasion dish, we have you covered.

Start with a good base.

The key to making a great mac and cheese is starting with a good base. This means using high-quality ingredients and cooking the pasta al dente.

For the cheese, we recommend using a sharp cheddar cheese. Sharp cheddar cheese has a strong flavor that will stand up to the other ingredients in the dish. You can also add in some other types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack or Gruyre, for a more complex flavor.

For the milk, we recommend using whole milk. Whole milk has a richer flavor than skim or low-fat milk, and it will help to create a creamy sauce.

Finally, for the pasta, we recommend using a short pasta, such as elbow macaroni or penne. Short pasta cooks quickly and evenly, and it will hold up well in the creamy sauce.

Make sure the pasta is cooked al dente.

Al dente pasta is pasta that is cooked until it is still slightly firm to the bite. This is the ideal texture for pasta in mac and cheese, as it will help to keep the pasta from becoming mushy.

To cook pasta al dente, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and set it aside.

Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.

Once you have cooked the pasta and made the sauce, it’s time to season it. Start by adding salt and pepper to taste. You may also want to add a pinch of nutmeg to give the sauce a warm, slightly spicy flavor.

Add your own personal touches.

Once you have the basic mac and cheese made, you can start to add your own personal touches. Here are a few ideas:

  • Mix in some chopped vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots.
  • Add a protein, such as chicken, shrimp, or bacon.
  • Top with your favorite toppings, such as breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, or chives.

With a few simple additions, you can make Costco mac and cheese better than ever! So next time you’re in the mood for a delicious and comforting meal, give this recipe a try.

Costco’s mac and cheese is a great starting point for a delicious and comforting meal. With a few simple additions, you can make it even better! So next time you’re in the mood for a mac and cheese that everyone will love, give this recipe a try.

Here are some additional tips for making Costco mac and cheese better:

  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to make the sauce. This will help to prevent the sauce from burning.
  • Don’t overcook the pasta. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and will not hold up well in the creamy sauce.
  • Add the cheese slowly to the hot sauce. This will help to prevent the cheese from clumping together.
  • Stir the sauce constantly while it is heating up. This will help to prevent the sauce from burning.
  • Serve the mac and cheese immediately after it is made. The sauce will start to thicken as it cools, so it’s best to eat it while it’s still hot.

With these tips, you’ll be able to make Costco mac and cheese that everyone will love!

How To Make Costco Mac And Cheese Better?

Costco’s mac and cheese is a popular item, but it can be a bit bland. Here are a few tips to make it better:

  • Use a higher quality cheese. The cheese in Costco’s mac and cheese is not the best quality, so using a higher quality cheese will make a big difference. You can use a sharp cheddar, a smoked gouda, or a Gruyere.
  • Add some spices. A little bit of salt, pepper, and garlic powder will help to liven up the flavor of the mac and cheese. You can also add some cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for a bit of heat.
  • Use a roux. A roux is a mixture of flour and butter that is cooked until it is golden brown. Adding a roux to your mac and cheese will help to thicken the sauce and give it a richer flavor.
  • Add some vegetables. Adding some vegetables to your mac and cheese is a great way to make it healthier and more nutritious. You can add some broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots.
  • Bake it. Baking your mac and cheese will help to give it a crispy crust and make it even more delicious.

Here is a recipe for a better mac and cheese:

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk until smooth.
4. Slowly whisk in milk and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce has thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
5. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
6. Add cooked macaroni and stir to combine.
7. Pour mac and cheese into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with parsley.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
9. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips

  • If you don’t have time to make a roux, you can use a store-bought cheese sauce instead.
  • You can also use different types of cheese in your mac and cheese. Some popular choices include Monterey Jack, Parmesan, and Gruyere.
  • Feel free to add your own favorite toppings to your mac and cheese. Some popular choices include bacon, ham, or vegetables.
  • Mac and cheese is a great dish to make ahead of time. Simply cook the macaroni and make the cheese sauce ahead of time. Then, when you’re ready to eat, just reheat the mac and cheese and bake it until bubbly.

How To Make Costco Mac And Cheese Creamier?

There are a few ways to make Costco mac and cheese creamier. Here are a few tips:

  • Use a higher fat content milk. The milk in Costco’s mac and cheese is not very creamy, so using a higher fat content milk will help to make it creamier. You can use whole milk, 2% milk, or even half and half.
  • Add some butter. Adding some butter to your mac and cheese will also help to make it creamier. You can add it to the cheese sauce or just stir it in at the end.
  • Use a roux. A roux is a mixture of flour and butter that is cooked until it is golden brown. Adding a roux to your mac and cheese will help to thicken the sauce and make it creamier.
  • Add some cream cheese. Cream cheese is a great way to add creaminess to your mac and cheese. You can add it to the cheese sauce or just stir it in at the end.
  • Bake it. Baking your mac and cheese will help to make it creamier. The heat from the oven will help to melt the cheese and thicken the sauce.

Here is a recipe for a creamier mac and cheese:

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

*

How can I make Costco Mac and Cheese better?

There are a few things you can do to make Costco Mac and Cheese better.

  • Use a higher quality cheese. The cheese that comes with Costco Mac and Cheese is not the best quality. If you can, use a higher quality cheese, such as a sharp cheddar or a Gruyre.
  • Add some extra spices. The seasoning in Costco Mac and Cheese is pretty basic. To add some more flavor, try adding some garlic powder, onion powder, or cayenne pepper.
  • Top with some crispy bacon or breadcrumbs. A little bit of crunch can really take Costco Mac and Cheese to the next level.

Here is a more detailed recipe for making Costco Mac and Cheese better:

Ingredients:

  • 1 box of Costco Mac and Cheese
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 1/2 cup of heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup of grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  • 2 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the macaroni noodles and cook according to the package directions.
3. While the noodles are cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
4. Add the milk and cream to the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and cheddar cheese until melted.
5. Drain the macaroni noodles and add them to the saucepan with the cheese sauce. Stir to combine.
6. Pour the macaroni and cheese into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with the bacon and breadcrumbs.
7. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
8. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Can I make Costco Mac and Cheese ahead of time?

Yes, you can make Costco Mac and Cheese ahead of time. To do this, follow the recipe above and then let the mac and cheese cool completely. Once it is cool, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you are ready to eat it, reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

**Can I freeze Costco Mac and Cheese?

Yes, you can freeze Costco Mac and Cheese. To do this, follow the recipe above and then let the mac and cheese cool completely. Once it is cool, store it in an airtight container in the freezer. When you are ready to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

What are some other ways to improve Costco Mac and Cheese?

There are a few other ways to improve Costco Mac and Cheese. Here are a few ideas:

  • Add some vegetables. To make Costco Mac and Cheese more nutritious, add some vegetables to it. Some good options include broccoli, cauliflower, peas, or carrots.
  • Make it a casserole. To make Costco Mac and Cheese more of a meal, you can turn it into a casserole. To do this, layer the mac and cheese in a casserole dish with some vegetables and meat. Then, top it with breadcrumbs and bake it in the oven until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
  • Serve it with a salad. To make Costco Mac and Cheese more balanced, serve it with a salad. A green salad with some fruit and nuts would be a great option.

What are some common mistakes people make when making Costco Mac and Cheese?

There are a few common mistakes people make when making Costco Mac and Cheese. Here are a few to avoid:

  • Using too much cheese. The cheese that comes with Costco Mac and Cheese is already pretty rich. If you add too much cheese, it will be too heavy and greasy.
  • Not cooking the noodles enough. The noodles in Costco Mac and Cheese should be cooked al dente.

    In this article, we have discussed how to make Costco Mac and Cheese better. We started by discussing the ingredients in Costco Mac and Cheese and how they can be improved. We then provided tips on how to cook Costco Mac and Cheese so that it is more flavorful and creamy. Finally, we shared some ideas for toppings that can be added to Costco Mac and Cheese to make it even more delicious.

We hope that you found this article helpful and that you will be able to use the tips we have provided to make Costco Mac and Cheese that is even better than the original.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

  • The most important ingredient in Costco Mac and Cheese is the cheese. Using a good quality cheese will make a big difference in the flavor of the final dish.
  • To make Costco Mac and Cheese more flavorful, you can add some spices or herbs to the sauce. Some good options include garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or dried oregano.
  • To make Costco Mac and Cheese more creamy, you can add some milk or cream to the sauce. You can also use a roux to thicken the sauce.
  • Some great toppings for Costco Mac and Cheese include bacon, breadcrumbs, or shredded cheese.

Author Profile

Kelsey Hammons
Kelsey Hammons
I was born and raised in the fabulous state of Maryland but recently decided to pack up my stuff and move to the Midwest city they call Chicago.

I hope to capture all of my life’s adventures of living in the windy city. AKA the food I cook, my journey to the Chicago Marathon, the books I read and the trashy TV shows I watch. I’m a health-nut, book-worm and exercise fiend.

Join me, Kelsey, on this exciting journey as I embrace the challenges and joys of my new life in Chicago. From mastering the art of healthy cooking to hitting the pavement for marathon training, my blog is a window into my world of self-discovery and fun.

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