Is there anything better than mac and cheese?
It’s creamy, cheesy, and oh so comforting.
But sometimes, you might have a little (or a lot) leftover mac and cheese.
So what to do with leftover mac and cheese?
Here are some ideas of mine that can help you out.
Let’s take a look at them.
Turn it into a casserole
Turning the leftover into a casserole is always helpful.
This allows you to serve it for lunch or dinner, give out some to family members, or freeze it for later.
To do this, place the leftover in a baking dish, add some breadcrumbs to the top, and bake it at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
You can also top it with bacon crumbles or shredded cheese before you bake it.
Spread it on a tortilla
In college, I used to make quesadillas.
All I did was place the leftover in the middle, along with some sliced pickles (which added such a great crunch), fold it up like a quesadilla, and pan-fry it.
This is an easy option for those who aren’t fans of casseroles or don’t have time to bake one.
Make a grilled sandwich
Another easy way to transform the leftover is by making a grilled cheese sandwich.
Spread it over two slices of bread, place some sliced pickles on top, and place it in a pan with melted butter or olive oil until the bread is golden brown.
You can also add shredded cheddar before grilling to make it even tastier.
Make a pie
Pie crusts are always good for making pies.
To turn the leftover into a pie, take two pieces of pre-made pie crust (store-bought or homemade), press it down into the bottom of the pie tin, top with the leftover, and cover with another piece of pie crust.
Poke some holes in the top to release the steam, bake it for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees, then finish off by broiling for 3-5 minutes or until the second pie crust is golden brown.
You can even add bacon crumbles to your second pie crust before baking to make pies even tastier.
Use it as a topping for hot dogs or burgers
If you’re looking for something more simple, use the leftover as a topping for hot dogs, hamburgers, or sausages.
Just place some on top of each bun before placing the sausage on top.
It’ll make your hot dogs extra cheesy and delicious.
Make a burrito
This is another college recipe of mine.
I would take two large tortillas, place some leftovers in the middle of it, add some shredded cheese on top (I would usually do cheddar), fold it up like a burrito and pan-fry it.
This is an easy option for those who aren’t fans of casseroles or don’t have time to bake one.
Use it as a topping on pizza
Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? Even better, who doesn’t love it on top of pizza?.
Just spread some over the crust, add some shredded cheese (if you feel like it), and bake it.
You can also add some bacon crumbles on top of the pizza as well for a more savory taste.
Make some quesadillas
Just like my college quesadillas, all I do is take two pieces of pre-made pie crust (store-bought or homemade), place some leftovers in the middle, add some shredded cheese (cheddar is my favorite) on top, and fold it up like a quesadilla.
Pan-fry it until the second pie crust is golden brown and enjoy.
Use as a filling for empanadas
Having leftover mac and cheese means that you can also turn those leftovers into empanadas.
Just take the leftover and add in some shredded cheddar (about a quarter cup), mix it together, wrap it in one of those flaky discs, and bake it at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
When you remove them from the oven, you can top them with salsa or hot sauce.
How do you fix leftover macaroni and cheese?
To fix it, simply remove it from the fridge, cut off any dry or brown areas, and heat it in a pan.
Next, add some milk and stir it constantly on medium heat until the macaroni is hot.
If you still have some cheese sticking to the top, don’t worry too much about it–it’ll melt into the mixture as you continue to stir.
If the leftover is extremely dry or crumbly, add a couple of teaspoons of milk, stir until it thickens, and heat it again.
Add salt and pepper to taste (if desired) before enjoying.
How long can you eat leftover mac and cheese?
You can enjoy it for 5 days max after refrigerating it.
If you want to store it for longer than that, simply place it in a Tupperware or plastic storage bag and freeze it. (source)
Is leftover mac and cheese good?
Your leftover is good as long as it’s not too dry.
If you didn’t use the proper amount of milk, or if you set your oven to 400 degrees instead of 350, believe me–I’ve done both before.
It happens to the best of us.
However, there are many ways that you can fix the leftover.
If it’s too dry, simply add some milk and stir until the mixture thickens.
If it won’t thicken, you can also place it in a pan on low heat and stir constantly until the macaroni softens.
Just make sure not to overheat your macaroni. (source)
Can you bake leftover mac and cheese?
Yes, you can bake it.
Just remove it from the fridge, cut off any dry or brown areas, and place it in a casserole dish.
Add some milk (if needed) to make sure that your macaroni is moist before baking it–you don’t want to burn the crust while baking. (source)
How do you reheat mac and cheese without drying it out?
It’s simple, just add a bit of milk to the macaroni before heating it up.
Remember, you can’t reheat it too many times–it’s best if you eat it all at once.
Why is my mac and cheese dish not creamy?
Your dish didn’t turn out creamy because you used the incorrect amount of milk.
Next time, add more milk until it’s nice and cheesy.
You can also check if your macaroni is overcooked–it might’ve turned into a mushy texture instead of staying firm.
Why is my baked mac and cheese dry?
If your baked dish is dry, you likely didn’t use enough milk.
Next time, add more milk to the mixture before baking it.
You can also check if your dish was in the oven for too long–if it was in there any longer than 25 minutes, your macaroni might’ve dried out.
How do you reheat macaroni and cheese on the stove?
To reheat macaroni and cheese on the stove, simply place it in a pan over medium heat until it becomes hot.
If your final dish is extremely dry or crumbly, add a bit of milk to loosen it up before heating it.
Can you freeze leftover mac and cheese?
Yes, you can freeze it.
Just prepare it as normal, then place it in a freezer-safe container or bag.
You can freeze it for up to 3 months–it will taste just as good when you take it out.
Why is my baked macaroni and cheese color brown?
If your baked macaroni and cheese is brown, it’s likely because you didn’t cook the pasta long enough.
Next time, boil your pasta for longer to make sure that it cooks all the way through.
You can also check if your oven temperature was incorrect–if it wasn’t set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit before baking, this might’ve happened too.
Try cooking your mac and cheese for 25 minutes next time to avoid making it too brown.
What kind of cheese can I use in baked macaroni and cheese?
The best kind of cheese to use in baked macaroni and cheese is cheddar–it has a savory, rich flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
You can also use a mix of mozzarella and cheddar, or just use mozzarella because it melts well.
Another great cheese to use in baked macaroni and cheese is gruyere–it has a nutty flavor that goes great with the other flavors.
You can even add pepper jack for a zesty taste.
What can you have with mac and cheese?
Macaroni and cheese taste great with a wide variety of dishes, such as baked beans, creamed corn, or garlic bread.
Try adding some vegetables to your macaroni and cheese for an extra boost–it will taste even better that way.
What can you add to mac and cheese?
You can add just about anything to mac and cheese–just mix your favorite ingredients into the dish before baking it.
Some great things to add are ham, bacon bits, broccoli, carrots, or peas.
Can you reheat macaroni and cheese?
Yes, you can reheat macaroni and cheese.
Just place it in a microwave for about one minute to achieve the same cheesy taste you had when you first baked it.
If your mac and cheese is extremely dry or crumbly, add some milk or cream before microwaving it.
Can I put hot mac and cheese in the fridge?
Yes, you can put hot mac and cheese in the fridge.
You should let it cool down for about 20 minutes before placing it in the fridge, though–this will make sure that your dish doesn’t get too cold.
Can you eat macaroni and cheese that was left out overnight?
No, because it might grow dangerous bacteria.
Always eat it within two hours of serving it to avoid getting sick.
Conclusion
So there you have it.
A few easy ways on the topic of what to do with leftover mac and cheese.
Whether you’re looking for something simple or want to get a little more creative, these ideas will help you make the most of those leftovers.
And who knows?
You might even find a new favorite dish in the process.