The creamier the macaroni and cheese, the better, at least in the eyes (and palates) of a lot of folks — especially when its made on the stovetop. That smooth, cheesy, ooey-gooey sauce folded into plenty of tender pasta makes for arguably the ultimate comfort food that warms both the heart and belly. Achieving that perfectly velvety cheese sauce texture can be a challenge, though, and if youre building it from scratch by making a roux it can take a long time (and a lot of care and effort to avoid lumps). Theres a simpler way to get your stovetop mac and cheese nice and creamy, and it starts with a can of evaporated milk.
Using evaporated milk in your macaroni and cheese not only results in a delectably smooth sauce, but it helps get dinner on the table faster. In approximately 10 minutes, you can whip up a pot of cheesy pasta that far surpasses any version made from a blue box. The secret to the sauces silky texture is evaporated milks natural powers of emulsification: The ingredient is full of protein micelles, which work to hold cheese sauces together from pot to bowl to mouth. Combine the warm evaporated milk with a little starchy pasta water and a blend of meltable cheeses, and youve got the creamiest mac and cheese you might ever eat.
Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.
What is evaporated milk?
Before you pour a can of evaporated milk directly into your pot of pasta, you might want to know what it is. Evaporated milk is fresh milk that has been simmered down, evaporating off around 60% of its moisture until it becomes a viscous, creamy substance that is even thicker than heavy cream. Canned evaporated milk is then homogenized before being sealed and sterilized, leaving it shelf-stable for up to two years and ready to be incorporated into any recipe, sweet or savory, that could benefit from an extra creamy texture.
Evaporated milk can be used as-is in place of half-and-half in recipes, or can be mixed with water to thin it out, making it an ideal substitute for fresh milk. One can of evaporated milk can be reconstituted with 1½ cans of water; combine thoroughly and use anywhere milk is called for. For extra-creamy mac and cheese, though, leave your can undiluted.
One more tip: For a savory recipe like macaroni and cheese, dont reach for condensed milk. The difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is the addition of sugar. The condensed version has been sweetened, and its extremely sugary (up to 45% sugar by weight). Unless you want your mac and cheese to taste like cake frosting, be sure to choose the correct option.
Beginner’s guide to STOVETOP MAC AND CHEESE
FAQ
Is it better to use milk or evaporated milk for mac and cheese?
What does evaporated milk do to cheese?
What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese?
How to make Mac & Cheese with evaporated milk?
Treat your taste buds with this Mac and Cheese with Evaporated milk cooked in the oven. Made with a mixture of macaroni, cheddar, mozzarella, evaporated milk, and butter, this dish is the perfect comfort food that you can enjoy any time of the day. In a pan, fry the flour with the butter for about 3-4 minutes.
Can one eat mac and cheese powder?
Mac and cheese powder is not a healthy food, as it is industrially processed and contains high concentrations of potentially dangerous chemicals. So you must have it occasionally.
Does evaporated milk make Mac & Cheese taste better?
Although evaporated milk can certainly help provide a smooth and creamy texture to your next pot of mac and cheese, adding the right cheeses can also contribute not just to mouthfeel, but to taste. You want to pick cheeses that mesh well together taste-wise and that melt easily; otherwise, you could end up with a gritty or chunky sauce.
Does evaporated milk make macaroni & cheese?
Fantastic flavor: Evaporated milk makes this homemade macaroni and cheese rich, creamy, and flavorful. The crispy, golden topping takes your classic mac to the next level. Easy recipe: If you’re a cheese lover and one of your favorite things is pasta, you need to have a great + fool-proof mac and cheese recipe in your back pocket!