If you are used to boxed mac and cheese, mustard might seem out of place however, it is actually a great ingredient with a long history of use in the dish. You can also add a blend that contains all of them, such as an Italian herb blend. Each of these herbs has an established track record of pairing well with both cheese and pasta, which means that they are perfect for mac and cheese. These include oregano, marjoram, and basil. You can use any of the most popular Mediterranean herbs in your mac and cheese. If you want flavor along with the color (but not heat), you have the option of using a smoked paprika. Most forms of paprika lack heat, which means that you will mostly be using it for its brilliant red color. Paprika is yet another way to improve your mac and cheese with chili pepper. Chili powder will usually not be as hot as cayenne pepper. Along with ancho, chili powder will also contain cumin along with oregano, and garlic. Chili powderĬhili powder differs from cayenne pepper powder not only in terms of the pepper that is ground to make it (typically ancho pepper rather than cayenne), it offers a more complex flavor profile. You can also opt for jalapeño powder as a dried spice alternative. Jalapeño pepper is usually added to baked mac and cheese rather than the stovetop variety. Mac and cheese made with fresh jalapeños will not be quite as hot as the variety made with cayenne pepper powder. Because the cayenne pepper is in powder form, it offers a consistent heat that you can modulate by adding exactly the amount that you want. Sprinkle it over the top to maximize the visual benefits. Not only does it improve the flavor, it can give it an appealing touch of red as well. Cayenne pepper powderĬayenne pepper is a popular addition if you want to add a little extra heat to your mac and cheese. Black pepper will provide the same flavor profile but with the black specks, which may not appeal to everyone. You can use it to flavor your mac and cheese without any alteration to the appearance. White pepper has the benefit of providing a complementary heat without the dark specks that you would get from black pepper. White pepper is the same as black pepper with the dark outer part of the peppercorn removed. Because it can serve as a blank canvas, you have a range of options when it comes to the seasonings that you can add to it. In either case, the flavor can always be improved upon with the addition of herbs and spices.

For example, you can make it from scratch with your choice of high-quality cheeses or you can make a boxed mac and cheese. Mac and cheese is an American favorite that is versatile and which can be made in multiple ways.

Best cheeses to use for mac and cheese