African American

Nac Mac Feegle

(979 posts)

42. One 'secret' for the cheese sauce:

Tue Nov 21, 2023, 05:33 PM

Nov 2023

Add a few drops of Tabasco sauce. This provides salt to intensify the flavor and adds a tiny spike of flavor that wakes up the sauce. I can always tell when someone omits the Tabasco from a Bechamel sauce (the Mother Sauce for the cheese sauce), it just seems flat. You can't taste it, but you can taste if it's not there. Just a few drops, more if the batch is larger.

My mac and cheese from scratch was famous among my sons' friends. Fresh out of the oven with a crust of panko bread crumbs.

Also; tossing in a slice of American cheese helps to keep the sauce from breaking, one of those Kraft singles type. It's almost all emulsifiers, so the sauce is almost guaranteed to be never break.

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I am only going to say this once, mac & cheese [View all] irisblue Nov 2023 OP

You make a strong case EYESORE 9001 Nov 2023 #1

Little ones get a pass by me irisblue Nov 2023 #2

It's one of those dishes where I prefer no leftovers EYESORE 9001 Nov 2023 #5

I make blue box m&c with cut up hot dogs for the kids irisblue Nov 2023 #11

Mac and Cheese for one!! Nittersing Nov 2023 #34

Not even 4-cheese mac? Breadcrumb topping? niyad Nov 2023 #3

Big Momma/BigSis m&c only only TDay. But tell us more a/b 4 cheese heart attack on the plate. Go on.. irisblue Nov 2023 #6

Very much like your standard baked mac and cheese, but there niyad Nov 2023 #55

For the most part, I would agree; however... Probatim Nov 2023 #4

I have a version with orange sweetpotato Auggie Nov 2023 #33

Trader Joe's has that buttetnut squash mac/cheese in their niyad Nov 2023 #51

I'm gonna say something that may be considered heresy in some circles EYESORE 9001 Nov 2023 #7

I remember mac & cheese tasting fabulous, irresistible mahina Nov 2023 #8

My kids loved it when they were growing up. murielm99 Nov 2023 #15

Well that's what I'm calling it from now on too, if we're lucky it's hot mahina Nov 2023 #62

I make it at home every now and then leftieNanner Nov 2023 #53

You are surely correct, elleng Nov 2023 #9

Oh no, Ellen. qwlauren35 Nov 2023 #45

Yup, I did it! elleng Nov 2023 #46

That's all that matters. qwlauren35 Dec 2023 #65

I can never get it cheesy enough. Maybe my taste buds aren't what they used to be. Diamond_Dog Nov 2023 #10

I, too, have tried all kinds of recipes, experimenting w/ changing the recipes for M and C, and still, no prize. SWBTATTReg Nov 2023 #12

You'll definitely have to share your recipe if you find success! Diamond_Dog Nov 2023 #16

One 'secret' for the cheese sauce: Nac Mac Feegle Nov 2023 #42

I grabbed a pound of Carolina Reaper Blend cheese at Walmart Shermann Nov 2023 #54

I will try that. Thanks! Diamond_Dog Nov 2023 #60

Thank you for the tips!!! I can't wait to try it again, may do so for the holidays coming up! SWBTATTReg Nov 2023 #64

Whatever donheld Nov 2023 #13

And yet here you are junior... irisblue Nov 2023 #14

You like Mac n Cheese? JohnnyRingo Nov 2023 #17

I'd like to be buried up to my knees mac56 Nov 2023 #18

I agree with you mgardener Nov 2023 #19

A work night, mom dad gets home at 6 and then irisblue Nov 2023 #22

I used to make butter, flour roux, with cheddar cheese and cksmithy Nov 2023 #20

Exactly! Make a roux then add LOTS of cheese. Zilli Nov 2023 #49

If your Mac & cheese is bland, try adding some mustard powder and paprika to the roux. Ziggysmom Nov 2023 #21

+1 ... the ex would add a little white wine too Auggie Nov 2023 #31

I've never grated cheese but may try that next time Shermann Nov 2023 #56

LOL ☺️. Guess I'd cut the cheese into pieces so it melts faster and thoroughly. It's all good! Ziggysmom Nov 2023 #63

I'll try that next time Shermann Nov 2023 #23

I still trying to figure out relayerbob Nov 2023 #24

Start here.. irisblue Nov 2023 #28

Thank you for the insight relayerbob Nov 2023 #59

Leftover mac and cheese scrambled with eggs. Fine dining. twodogsbarking Nov 2023 #25

Now that sounds delicious Duncanpup Nov 2023 #27

That and easy. twodogsbarking Nov 2023 #30

Duncan approved. 🐶 Diamond_Dog Nov 2023 #39

Not from a box and made with a powder that's a shade of orange not known in nature? Ocelot II Nov 2023 #26

Just send me a invitation 😂 Duncanpup Nov 2023 #29

I wish the gubement was still handing out those blocks of white cheddar cheese they were giving out in the ... marble falls Nov 2023 #32

Handed that out in elementary school. We had cheese fights. twodogsbarking Nov 2023 #37

It was epic. And we got so much of it. Maybe 10 or so blocks over a year. Some folks even got blocks of butter ... marble falls Nov 2023 #38

Mine came out of the oven last night BaronChocula Nov 2023 #35

I kinda like Pantera's Mac and Cheese.... OAITW r.2.0 Nov 2023 #36

Washed down with a Black Tooth Grin! Shermann Nov 2023 #50

Their Mac and Cgeese is good too! OAITW r.2.0 Nov 2023 #52

When my brother comes to visit, I make it (Betty Crocker) with a pound of (pre-fried) BACON in it and a ton of Leghorn21 Nov 2023 #40

I got the recipe from a place PlutosHeart Nov 2023 #41

I agree qwlauren35 Nov 2023 #43

The best stuff is made that way MurrayDelph Nov 2023 #44

try with catsup on the side isitreal Nov 2023 #47

Nobody mentioned bacon bits? Interesting.... getagrip_already Nov 2023 #48

the blue box could be improved on. qwlauren35 Dec 2023 #66

Ahh, haut coitour (sp?) i see.... getagrip_already Dec 2023 #67

I make my mother's... bamagal62 Nov 2023 #57

and no freaking adulterants like shrimp, oysters, chicken, bacon or jalapenos! Kali Nov 2023 #58

My AA fiance is considering BWdem4life Nov 2023 #61