Why You Should Try Adding Avocado To Your Mac And Cheese
As much as mac and cheese is all about the cheese, it's also all about the texture. No one wants a watery sauce, and a grainy one is just as bad. If you're having trouble getting the consistency of your mac and cheese just right, you may want to consider introducing another ingredient to the mix: avocado. According to The Kitchn, avocado adds creaminess to mac and cheese without contributing the heaviness that extra cheese or cream would. Sure, it'll cause your mac and cheese to take on a vibrant shade of green, but you won't have to worry about ending up with a liquidy or curdled cheese sauce.
While avocado does wonders in improving the texture of mac and cheese, it significantly alters the taste in the process. Food52 points out that if you're going for traditional-style mac and cheese, avocado won't yield the same flavor. No matter how sharp the cheese you use is, it still won't be enough to mask the taste of avocado, so expect your dish to have more of an earthy flavor to it.
How to add avocado to mac and cheese
Avocado may be a fruit, but for mac and cheese, you'll want to treat it like a sauce. According to a viral recipe shared by PopSugar, the process starts with two ripe avocados. Blend the avocados in a food processor along with milk, goat cheese, and your choice of seasoning — in this recipe's case, lime juice, salt, garlic, chili flakes, and basil. When the mixture is fully pureed, fold it into cooked macaroni, cover with shredded mozzarella and toasted almond flour, and bake in the oven until the cheese melts. If you're not a fan of the goat cheese or mozzarella, The Cheese Empire recommends aged cheddar, brie, or burrata. Remember avocado has a particular flavor, so it's important to pair it with the right cheeses, and ones that are mild or acidic work best.
Even if you're making boxed mac and cheese, avocado can still be a great addition. For the boxed version, as per The Kitchn's instructions, simply fold in the avocado as the last step of the cooking process, once the pasta is already done.