Macaroni and cheese or mac ‘n’ cheese is something that we all enjoy. It’s easy to make and is a delicious meal that is very fulfilling. All you need is some boiled macaroni that you need to add to a delicious cheesy béchamel sauce. It is a meal that is enjoyed by people of all ages, whether it’s the children or the elderly.
If you are bored with eating the same type of mac and cheese over and over again, you can experiment a little and make many variations. Substituting milk in your mac and cheese is a great way to switch up the flavor. There are many options that you can choose from that are easily available in the market.
Here are some options for you that you can experiment with.
Cream Cheese
Due to its taste and texture, cream cheese is one of the best substitutes for milk in mac and cheese. It’s also rich in vitamin A and riboflavin, making it a healthy addition to your diet. Vitamin A is important to improve your vision.
Its taste resembles that of milk but is milder and sweeter. This sweetness is a great way to add a variation to the flavor of your mac and cheese. The consistency of cream cheese is different from milk. It is much thicker which makes your sauce creamier.
You can even leave out the butter if you want. The creaminess of cream cheese is enough to make the sauce thick. Remember to melt your cream cheese before adding it to your sauce. There are many different flavors of cream cheese available in the market that you can play around with to make a different flavored sauce.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk has been gaining popularity these days and is easily available in many stories. If you’re a vegan or lactose intolerant, this can be a great addition to your diet. Research suggests coconut milk helps in reducing cholesterol and can even promote weight loss.
This milk has a distinctive flavor of coconut which combines really well with the sauce giving it a unique flavor. If you don’t like the taste of coconuts, you can add some water to coconut milk to dilute the taste. You can also add garlic, ginger and other herbs for a milder flavor of coconut. If coconut milk isn’t available, you can also use coconut cream.
Plain Yogurt
Plain yogurt is another great option to use as a milk substitute. The yogurt will make your sauce much creamier and give it a slight tangy twist. If you don’t want the tangy flavor, you can easily adapt the sauce by adding water. You can also use Greek yogurt instead of using plain yogurt as it will give a similar taste and texture.
Remember to be careful while using yogurt to make the sauce. You need to slowly heat the yogurt. If you heat it too quickly, the water and fat might separate. To prevent this from happening, be patient and slowly heat your yogurt in a small pan before adding it to the sauce. Ensure that you are constantly stirring the yogurt while heating it.
Sour Cream
Sour cream has a complex flavor making it a great addition to your mac and cheese. It contains many nutritions that are important to keep you healthy. The probiotics present in sour cream help with digestion and stronger immunity.
It is much thicker than milk so you will have to add water to it. But this thickness will make the sauce creamier.
If you find the taste of sour cream too strong for your sauce, you can add other ingredients to balance the flavor. Some of the suggested ingredients are herbs, freshly minced garlic and ginger. You can also use sour cream with another milk substitute to make a more complex sauce.
Almond Milk
This is another dairy-free milk that works great as a substitute for milk. If you love almonds, you will love adding this milk to your sauce. This milk has a distinctive flavor but similar consistency to regular milk.
There are two types of almond milk available in the market. These are sweetened and unsweetened versions. Both flavors can be added to your sauce. It depends on your preference. Unsweetened milk is a great way to cut calories. It contains up to 80% fewer calories than dairy milk.
If you prefer a sweet tinge to your mac and cheese, it is recommended you go for the sweetened version. If you like your mac and cheese spicy, go for the unsweetened version. If you don’t want to buy almond milk from the market, you can also make it at home.
Almond milk is thinner than dairy milk. If you want a creamier sauce, add more flour and butter. You can also add extra cheese to make it thicker.
Whipping Cream
If you are a fan of baking, chances are you already have this ingredient in your cupboard. Whipping cream is a great way to add a different element to your mac and cheese. It has a thinner consistency than other options on the list so if you prefer a less creamy version of mac and cheese that still tastes good, you should try this option.
Remember that heavy whipping cream can be high in calories, so you must use it in moderation. Using whipping cream will alter the color of your sauce. If you prefer a yellow-colored sauce, you need to use cheddar cheese to get the perfect shade of yellow.
Mac and cheese is a great option when you are craving something delicious but don’t want to cook for hours in the kitchen. The creamy sauce added to boiled macaroni is delicious and it can be prepared within a few minutes.
If you love mac and cheese but want to slightly switch up the flavor, using milk substitutes for a sauce is a great way to do that. You can experiment with these options and make many variations of your favorite recipe.