Glossy and Smooth Macaroni and Cheese
I saw this photo of a bowl of macaroni and cheese that looked so perfectly smooth and glossy. It looked like it came out of a magazine. You know, like how you picture macaroni and cheese to look but yours never quite looks so nice.
So I immediately bookmarked the recipe, which uses a secret ingredient to get the smooth and glossy look. Can you guess what it is?
The answer is cornstarch! It’s amazing how many uses I’m finding for cornstarch. It’s great for tenderizing beef slices for a stir fry, thickens soups, creates amazing soft chocolate chip cookies, and now I’ve learned it makes smooth and glossy macaroni and cheese.
This recipe is easy to make and ready in minutes. You can view the full recipe here. To spice it up, I added some mustard powder, chili flakes, and garlic powder.
Glossy and Smooth Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 3 cups macaroni
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 10 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 (12-oz) can evaporated milk
- Mustard powder, to taste
- Chili flakes, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain the pasta and return it back to the pot. Add the butter and stir until it’s melted into the pasta.
- Toss the shredded cheese with the cornstarch until it’s evenly coated. Add the cheese with the cornstarch and evaporated milk to the pasta and stir. Turn the heat up to warm the sauce while the cheese melts. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens. Season the sauce with the mustard powder, chili flakes, and garlic powder.
Wasn’t in love with it as it was… threw it in a baking dish, added a butter crust to the top, baked for 20 mins at 350 F then broiled on Low for 3 mins. Came out beautifully crusty and tasty
We’re so glad those adjustments worked well for you!
Thanks for linking! Looks great!
Thanks for you’re great idea!
I am forever trying to make the “perfect” macaroni and cheese. I’d have never thought to try using cornstarch! What a cool find, will have to try it out next time I make mac and cheese. I used cornstarch in some cookies I made last night, too – it does make a difference to make softer cookies.
It wasn’t my absolute fav recipe but I love how it looks! I will have to try applying cornstarch to other macaroni and cheese recipes.
Hmmm, cornstarch! Who would have thunk it! Looks great.
Now I want to stick cornstarch in everything and see what happens. haha.
i didnt grow up eating mac & chs. everyone said they felt sorry for me, that i had missed out. i had some and felt nauseous. they said ‘o that blue box doesnt count you havent had my mom’s homemade mac & chs’. so I did and still felt nauseous.
it is overrated IMO. it feels funny in my mouth.
Maybe you just haven’t had the right recipe.