We’ve all been there! Most of us often spend an entire day at our workplaces or in class daydreaming about that silky, smooth-as-ever leftover Mac and cheese in the refrigerator. But imagine the disappointment of having to eat overheated overly chewy pasta.
As scrumptious as Mac and cheese tastes, it can be a tad tricky to reheat it. Hence, every Mac and cheese lover must know how to reheat leftovers so they can enjoy them to the fullest, right?
However, with so many variations and twists on this timeless meal, it is justified to be confused when it comes to reheating methods that will help retain its creaminess and overall richness.
Throwing the bowl into the microwave oven, as you would with any other dish, and tapping the buttons may seem like an adequate solution. But don’t expect it to give you perfectly heated Mac and cheese because it is only going to turn out to be a disappointment. After all, you are missing out on one crucial step. In this article, we shall reveal the missing step that is the root cause of you losing out that creamy goodness out of your Mac and cheese as you reheat.
Without any further delay, let’s get started so that if you are up to reheating your Mac and cheese, you get it right.
How To Reheat Mac And Cheese To Perfection In An Oven?
The most important step to keep in mind when you reheat Mac and cheese is to always add milk. This is because pasta has a tendency to absorb liquid after it has been cooked. So, when you add a splash of milk to your Mac and cheese, your pasta will get regain its bouncy and rich texture.
Moreover, if there is a method that has always proved itself when it comes to the game of reheating food, it is the oven. Are you wondering why? Well, considering the fact that the oven can heat large amounts of food evenly, most people really don’t mind waiting for their leftovers to reheat to perfection.
Now, What To Do?
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and put your Mac and cheese leftovers in an oven-proof dish. We recommend a glass dish as it is ideal for putting in an oven.
Next, you need to stir in some milk for added moisture content. To put it in perspective, you can add one tablespoon of milk per serving of about one cup of Mac and cheese. Now, cover this dish of Mac and cheese with a piece of aluminum foil and bake it for about 20-30 minutes. This is how long it usually takes to reheat Mac and cheese.
Remove the foil after 20 minutes. Then, cook it for ten more minutes so that the cheese starts turning brown. You can sprinkle more cheese on the top for an additional topping before popping it back inside in the oven for 10 minutes.
How To Reheat Mac And Cheese In The Microwave Oven?
While it might seem slightly tedious to reheat in the oven, reheating it in a microwave oven can come off as a relatively easier method. Speaking of this, reheating Mac and cheese in the microwave oven requires only 2 added tablespoons of milk per serving size.
Add the recommended tablespoons of milk or as per the size of your leftovers and put it in the microwave oven. Take a plastic wrap to cover the Mac and cheese with plastic wrap and make sure to leave it slightly open so that the excess steam could get released.
Make sure to stop the microwave oven every 30 seconds to stir. This will help cover the pasta evenly with milk. And voila, your pasta is as springy as it was before, and the sauce is equally creamy and gooey.
How To Reheat Frozen Mac And Cheese?
Now, we are solving the pressing dilemma as to how to reheat frozen Mac and cheese. Before we move onto the method, it is important to put it here that you got to hold tight on that rope of patience as you might need to devote a relatively long period of time to reheat the Mac and sheet you just pulled out of the freezer.
Here is how we would suggest you reheat your frozen Mac and cheese!
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and put the Mac and cheese from the freezer in it. The pan of macaroni and cheese must be cooked for at least an hour to one hour 30 minutes to ensure that the Mac and cheese are heated through.
We recommend that you start checking the temperature as soon as the clock hits an hour. If it is not done, allow it more time until it is done and heated thoroughly. When it’s done, you get a rich and creamy texture.
How To Reheat Mac And Cheese Using The Stovetop Method
If you prefer the stovetop to reheat your Mac and cheese leftovers, all you have to do is follow the method below.
Take a saucepan and place the Mac and cheese in it. Drizzle it with milk, or you can even add cream depending on how much you have leftover.
Make sure to set the saucepan on medium-low heat and stir it periodically. Keep doing it for about 10 minutes until it is completely hot throughout.
Add more milk or cream so that the cheese sauce is loosened and add salt to adjust its taste. And it is done!
Wrapping up
There is no denying that Mac and cheese on its own is a perfect meal, but when you are looking to make your dinner a tad more exciting, why not play it up a bit?
Mac and cheese can be as simple and as versatile as you want. You can always double its taste by adding some additional toppings before you move onto reheating it. The best part about Mac and cheese, something which makes it all the way too versatile, is that you can pretty much add anything and everything in it, be it cut up sausages, extra cheese or bread crumbs or veggies.
