Don’t get me wrong, I love some classic, basic mac & cheese. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But are you ever trying to decide what you want for dinner and basic mac & cheese just won’t cut it? Sometimes, finding some fun things to add to mac & cheese can instantly upgrade a meal from boring to exciting.
Although I love cooking, I don’t always love how much work and energy that goes into it. At the end of a long day, I want to eat my dinner, not spend hours making it. So, I won’t lie when I say I am a fan of easy foods like instant mac & cheese!
It may not be as good as homemade, slow-cooked pasta, but instant macaroni will always be a fan favorite in my house.
But I also don’t like to eat the same thing over and over again. When I discovered that I can add other ingredients to mac & cheese to elevate it, a whole new world opened up for me. Nothing in my kitchen was safe, I tried anything and everything I could think of.
However, being vegetarian, I couldn’t add the tuna and the bacon bits that people often add to their cheesey pasta dishes. I needed to get a little more creative.
Adding ingredients to mac & cheese definitely upgrades your meal, and makes dinner a little more exciting. Adding things to mac & cheese is also great when cooking for kids that get bored easily. It makes the same meal a little different and a little more interesting!
List of Things to Add to Mac & Cheese
1. Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Starting off strong with one of my personal favorites, adding sun-dried tomatoes to mac & cheese adds so much flavor. It also adds some Vitamin C as well!
2. Broccoli
When I was young, the only way my mom got me to eat my broccoli was by melting cheese on top. Although I have gotten older and my palette has changed, I still do love some cheesy broccoli. I normally steam the broccoli before mixing it into my cooked pasta. Delicious!
3. Spicy Peppers
Whether you like jalapenos, serrano peppers, or chili peppers, adding some spice to mac & cheese is always exciting! Just not too much! My personal favorite is green chilis!
4. Fresh Garlic
I love fresh garlic, I add it to almost every meal I cook. So why not add it to mac & cheese? Garlic adds a depth of flavor that you don’t get from your basic instant pasta.
5. Fresh Herbs
No matter what flavor profile you are going for, adding some fresh herbs is the perfect way to elevate your next meal. Add some basil and oregano for an Italian flavor. Or add some rosemary for a more woodsy and aromatic flavor.
6. Breadcrumbs
Even sprinkling some breadcrumbs on top of your cheesy meal and popping it in the oven for a little bit adds some excitement to a pretty boring meal. It transforms your basic boxed mac and cheese into a delicious baked meal.
7. Plant-Based Crumble
I used to always eat “burger mac” when I was a kid, macaroni with ground beef. So when I became vegetarian, I missed it! Luckily with all the plant-based meat substitutions entering the market in the past couple of years, there is now meatless ground beef! Adds some meaty flavor to your dish, if you are into that sort of thing.
8. Carmelized Onions
I am not much of a raw onion fan, but I do love some cooked caramelized onions. These make a great addition to your next dinner.
9. Chili
Have you ever had chili mac? It is possibly the best meal ever. I use the Hormel vegetarian chili and add a can or two, depending on your taste. It is amazing and also makes one box of mac & cheese last for multiple meals! Who doesn’t love leftovers?
10. Pico de Gallo
For a fresh flavor, I like adding pico de Gallo to my macaroni & cheese. A good pico will have tomatoes, onions, peppers, and more, all of which add a nice flavor perfect for a summer evening.
There are so many mac & cheese additions that elevate a meal, especially when you are feeling creative. Mac & cheese is such a simple base for many flavors. It makes it a fantastic foundation!
For more vegetarian dinner ideas, check out this post full of options!
