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The viral TikTok mac and cheese recipe has exploded on social media. Don’t follow the boring, traditional way of making macaroni and cheese that you find on the side of the box. Instead, follow this TikTok Mac and Cheese recipe to take basic mac and cheese to a whole new level of cheesy goodness. This is any cheese lover's dream recipe.
Another recipe people make to elevate their Kraft macaroni and cheese is Blake Lively's mac and cheese hack.
What is the TikTok Mac and Cheese Recipe?
The TikTok Mac and Cheese viral recipe uses the same ingredients you need to make a traditional box of macaroni and cheese: butter, water, milk, and the included noodles and package of cheese powder. However, you will not follow the package directions on the side of the box to prepare this viral recipe.
The TikTok user @_nikkigillespie_ posted this TikTok video showing how she makes viral mac and cheese recipe. Various TikTok users posted a viral video showing how they made TikTok Mac and Cheese recipes.
The recipes can vary throughout each user’s video. This specific TikTok Mac and Cheese recipe shows how you can “upcycle” a traditional box of macaroni.
Other popular versions use elbow macaroni and a whole block of processed cheese (such as Velveeta) instead of a traditional box of macaroni and cheese.
How do you make the TikTok Mac and Cheese recipe?
You will boil the macaroni noodles in a water. Use just enough water to cover the noodles. However, instead of waiting until after straining the noodles, you will mix in the butter and the package of cheese powder before hand. You will then simmer the mixture until the macaroni noodles absorb almost all of the liquid. Milk will be added at the end to give it an additional level of creaminess. This creamy mac can be topped with shredded cheese or cracked black pepper.
The biggest benefit of the TikTok Mac and Cheese recipe is not needing to strain the noodles. The macaroni noodles will be cooked in the water, butter, and cheese powder mixture until the noodles soak up most of the liquid. Therefore, you do not need to drain the pasta water. You’ll have one less dirty strainer after making this great recipe and you won’t risk burning yourself while attempting to strain the pot of boiling hot water.
What ingredients do you need to make TikTok Mac and Cheese recipe?
The ingredients needed to make the viral macaroni and cheese recipe are simple ingredients that you most likely already have on hand. These simple ingredients include:
- Boxed macaroni and cheese (noodles + cheese powder package)
- Butter
- Water
- Milk
Most people prefer to use a box of Kraft macaroni and cheese for this recipe. I do most of my grocery shopping at Aldi so I made it with Aldi’s private label Cheese Club Macaroni and Cheese Dinner. Different macaroni and cheese brands may taste different, but Aldi mac and cheese is what I use.
How do you make the TikTok Mac and Cheese recipe?
It is so easy to make the viral recipe. The steps for making the TikTok Macaroni and Cheese recipe are:
- Gather your ingredients.
- Empty noodles into a large skillet.
- Fill the pan with water until the noodles are slightly covered.
- Add the powdered cheese package and cubed butter.Stir.
- Simmer the noodle mixture on medium heat until the water is absorbed and the pasta is al dente.
- Add milk and top with shredded cheese and cracked pepper, if desired.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
The ingredients for the viral mac and cheese recipe are simple: boxed macaroni and cheese, butter, water, milk, and any other mix-ins such as shredded cheese or red pepper flakes.
Step 2: Empty noodles into a large skillet
Use a large skillet instead of a saucepan to make TikTok macaroni and cheese. Having a larger pan base will help the noodles absorb more of the water faster.
Step 3: Cover the noodles with water
Cover the macaroni noodles until the noodles are slightly covered. Don’t add too much water or the noodles won’t be able to absorb all of the water.
Step 4:Add powdered cheese package and cubed butter
If you follow the directions on the side of the package, you actually strain the noodles before adding the powdered cheese and butter. In this recipe, you actually add these ingredients before the noodles are cooked. This helps the noodles lock in the cheesy flavor.
Step 5: Simmer the noodles
Heat the water on medium heat until the water begins to boil. Turn the heat down to low. Allow the noodles to simmer until the noodles have absorbed the liquid and the noodles are al dente. Do not cover the pasta with a lid.
Step 6: Add milk and top with additional cheese
After the macaroni has absorbed the liquid and is al dente, the final step is to add the milk to the pasta. Slowly pour the milk into the macaroni and mix. The pasta should be creamy. To finish the macaroni dish, add shredded cheese or other toppings such as pepper or red pepper flakes.
📖 Recipe
TikTok Mac and Cheese Recipe
The TikTok Mac and Cheese recipe uses the same ingredients you need to make a traditional box of macaroni and cheese:butter, water, milk, and the included noodles and package of cheese powder.However, you will not follow the package directions on the side of the box to prepare this viral mac and cheese recipe.
Course Main Dish, Pasta, Viral Food Recipes
Cuisine American
Keyword Butter, Cheese, Macaroni, Milk, TikTok Recipes
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Servings 4 people
Cost $3
Equipment
Large skillet or frying pan
Ingredients
- 1 box macaroni and cheese (noodles and powdered cheese packet)
- 4 tbsps butter
- 1½-2 cups water (approximate)
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
Empty the noodles from a macaroni and cheese box into a large skillet.Fill the pan with water until the noodles are slightly covered.
Add the powdered cheese package and butter to the skillet.Stir until the cheese powder is mixed in.
Bring the liquid mixture to a roiling boil. Turn the heat to low. Continue to simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is al dente.
Stir in the milk once the macaroni noodles are al dente. Top with additional cheese, black pepper, or other garnishments and serve.
Notes
- Do not cover the pan with a lid while simmering.
- Any brand of macaroni and cheese can be used.
- Top the macaroni and cheese with any garnishments of your choosing: shredded cheese, cracked black pepper, fresh parsley, or any other ingredients.
See? The one-pot mac is so easy! It uses the normal ingredients you already use to make traditional macaroni and cheese. The finished product tastes much better than following the directions on the outside of the box. You may never make macaroni and cheese the same way again after making this creamy cheese hack.
You can add extra cheese right before serving if you want to make it even cheesier! Adding real cheese instead of artificial cheese makes it so good. You could add grated parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, or any other type of grated or shredded cheese. Sprinkling fresh cracked pepper or red pepper flakes on top also adds an extra level of flavor to make the end result even better.
TikTok Mac and Cheese could also be served as an easy holiday side dish for a Thanksgiving dinner or other holiday. This cheese dish is quick and easy to make. It is a great new twist to traditional mac and cheese. It makes an easy dinner.
Other TikTok Viral Recipes You’ll Love
- TikTok Ramen Noodle Hack
- TikTok Egg Boil Recipe
- Easy TikTok Chicken Cobbler
- Boat Dip (TikTok)
- Edible Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough
- Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
