Milk with Macaroni and Cheese?
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (103156)
United States
July 24, 2024 6:44pm CST
Now, of course our friend Chicaa is going to immediately poopoo the idea that I use boxed macaroni and cheese in the first place.
Hey, I like it, and I get it really cheap when I buy the Smart Way "brand" offered by Ruler Foods, which is a subsidiary of Kroger. It's only 49 cents a box, and that price is right up my alley.
And again, I have NO issue whatsoever with boxed macaroni and cheese.
The thing is, I hardly ever, if ever have milk in the house and so 99.9% of the time I make it without it.
It's, most of the time, just cooked noodles with the cheese packet and some butter. Real butter if that makes Chicaa feel any better.
At the same time it is not uncommon for me at all to incorporate things like sour cream or even French onion dip to it to "enhance it."
Do you like boxed macaroni and cheese? And are there things you ever do with it to doctor it up? Do you always use milk?
16 people like this
17 responses
@marguicha (227808)
• Chile
25 Jul
I don´t quite understand. What is the food OPPOSITE to boxed macaroni?
3 people like this
@marguicha (227808)
• Chile
25 Jul
@porwest I only cook from scratch. I like to cook and in my country it is less expensive to cook at home than to buy food even at a restaurant of fast food.
3 people like this
@porwest (103156)
• United States
25 Jul
@marguicha Always. At the same time, I cannot make a homemade batch of macaroni and cheese for 49 cents. lol
3 people like this
@kareng (77400)
• United States
25 Jul
I always use milk unless I'm out and don't realize it! My quick fix for boxed mac and cheese is stirring in a little shredded cheddar cheese. It mixes well and tastes more like homemade then. The cheese in the mix seems to sometimes be too salty.
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (86812)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
26 Jul
I usually use mac and cheese with packaged sauce in the deluxe packages,
3 people like this
@porwest (103156)
• United States
14 Aug
@LovesEverybody I think it might be a bit creamier. But to me it's not worth the extra cost.
@porwest (103156)
• United States
14 Aug
@LovesEverybody Especially when it comes to the boxed varieties, I find them all to be about the same in quality. I even sprang once and bought a box of Kraft, and it was no different than the cheaper stuff.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (46156)
•
25 Jul
I steer clear of products that state they have palm oil in them, and boxed mac and cheese definitely does. My son likes it sometimes, but I just don't eat it. My other kids don't, either. We just do the homemade kind for the most part.
You can keep some powdered milk on hand for when you need small amounts of milk to cook with. It keeps a long time, and when you cook with it you cannot tell it was powdered--it is real milk.
3 people like this
@porwest (103156)
• United States
24 Nov
@MarieCoyle Usually when it comes to most things I can't tell. But with powdered milk, it just has a very distinct taste, and it's not one I like the taste of.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (46156)
•
22 Nov
@porwest
Even my son cannot tell the difference in me using powdered milk for cooking. Of course, when I use it it's just for smallish amounts, but hey...it's real milk and it works.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (164700)
• United States
25 Jul
Very seldom do pasta here. Hubby does not like it. I always have milk. I could go for some of your enhancements. I have seen people stir ranch dressing into it.
3 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (38033)
• Toccoa, Georgia
25 Jul
I like boxed macaroni and cheese and lately instead of using 2 percent milk, I have been using Almond Milk and it is just fine in taste. Almond Milk is a great cow's milk substitute.
3 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (38033)
• Toccoa, Georgia
14 Aug
@porwest the original flavor is neutral in flavor which is good to use in recipes.
1 person likes this
@porwest (103156)
• United States
15 Aug
@LeaPea2417 I guess I could try it again, but my experience with it in the past was not good.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (123585)
• United States
25 Jul
This will probably shock you but I usually keep Velveeta Shells and Cheese cups in my snack cabinet at work. All I have to do is add water, microwave, and them stir in the cheese packet. If I (or a student) doesn't have lunch then they are an easy way to make something.
Would I ever buy the boxed stuff with the powder? Nope. I definitely wouldn't make that here. A quick mac and cheese cup is convenient sometimes though.
3 people like this
@NJChicaa (123585)
• United States
21 Nov
@porwest They aren't something that I eat regularly but like I said I like to keep them at work for days when I don't bring lunch. I keep all sorts of snacks at work both for me and for students--Zone bars, cheese sticks, yogurt, diced peach cups, popcorn, applesauce cups, and even Cup Noodles. 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (194330)
• United States
25 Jul
I wouldn't have a problem with it; but my husband won't eat it. Have a good day.
3 people like this
@porwest (103156)
• United States
14 Aug
@LovesEverybody I have never had the frozen variety. For me it's always the box.
@porwest (103156)
• United States
14 Aug
@LovesEverybody Maybe one day I will spring for one. I am sure I won't like the cost, though, and if I am going to spend that much I might as well just make it from scratch.
@2ndchances24 (10625)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
25 Jul
I love Mac & Cheese that's why I have to limit how much I eat
cause that's what put most my weight on me that I can't afford
to gain back I love the weight I'm at now 155lbs.
3 people like this
@2ndchances24 (10625)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
22 Nov
@porwest 
I'm with you on that
I'm not suppose to have it myself but I do every
now & then & a small portion.
I'm with you on that
I'm not suppose to have it myself but I do every
now & then & a small portion.1 person likes this
@porwest (103156)
• United States
24 Nov
@2ndchances24 Moderation is key with most things.
1 person likes this
@2ndchances24 (10625)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
25 Jul
I make mine with milk & butter as well & it makes it so creamy YUM YUM
3 people like this
@popciclecold (40024)
• United States
14 Aug
My son loves it. I use it to make Western Mac, and it is delicious.
1 person likes this
@pitsipeahie (5349)
•
26 Jul
I like it more when I make it myself but those in box are okay. They're convenient and good for quick cooking. If I have cream, I add more to make it creamier, more cheese, chicken shreds or bacon (if I have) , some spices/herbs. Whatever I have at home.
1 person likes this
