Variety Is Key For Making The Best Mac And Cheese
Mac and cheese is one of the best comfort foods out there — and also a simple and delicious option for a quick meal to make at home. The best part about making your own homemade mac and cheese is that you get to pick whichever cheese you desire for the meal. It can be hard to pick just one cheese but, as it turns out, you don't need to. Your dish will actually be much better if you choose more than one cheese.
Since cheeses can vary so much from each other, in both texture and flavor, your mac and cheese will be made all the better if you incorporate more than one so that the overall taste is fuller and more dynamic. The process of picking the best cheese combinations may be daunting — possibly even more overwhelming than having to choose just one cheese — so we'll help you out with some possible variations for your next batch.
Which cheeses to pick for mac and cheese
First and foremost, it's important to choose at least one cheese that will melt really well. These cheeses include cheddar (especially sharp cheddar), Gruyère, mozzarella, fontina, Gouda, Havarti, American and provolone. You can easily mix and match any of these for a great mac and cheese combination. For Tasting Table's Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole, we recommend mixing white cheddar, mozzarella, and fontina (or Gruyère) for a delicious, melty combination that will also work in a traditional mac and cheese.
Other great options include parmesan, Monterey Jack, or goat cheese. You can even reach for the brie (as long as you remove the rind), which will make for an ultra-creamy addition. Another cheese to keep in mind if you're going for an extra creamy mac and cheese? Cream cheese. Maybe your combination consists of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and parmesan — it'll be creamy from the cream cheese with the strong flavors of the cheddar and parmesan. Another enticing combination is Monterey Jack, parmesan, and American, with the American pulling the weight of the meltiness. Or, maybe you opt for cheddar and mozzarella like in Tasting Table's Kimchi Mac and Cheese.