Love boxed mac and cheese but want to change it up a bit? No problem! I’ve got 10 10 Ways to Change Up Boxed Mac and Cheese for you, including adding ingredients to mac and cheese or adding the mac and cheese to other meals!
Mac and Cheese may be my all time favorite food. If I had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of my life it would most likely be macaroni and cheese!
Boxed, Homemade or semi homemade, I love them all. However, sometimes plain ol’ mac and cheese can get boring. If you’re looking for a little something extra to add to your boxed mac and cheese, I’ve got some ideas for you! Plus I’ve got a few ideas for meals that you can ADD mac and cheese on top of!
10 Ways to Change Up Boxed Mac and Cheese
Easy & Simple Directions are with each idea BUT if it is a more detailed recipe I’ll have a link to it as well.
What kind of boxed mac and cheese should I use?
Use your favorite boxed mac and cheese for these ideas! It could be Kraft Mac and cheese, Velveeta or Annies! Even gluten free boxed mac and cheese would work for these!
Mac and Cheese with Peas!
I love mac and cheese with peas and it’s so easy to make. Once you’ve made the boxed mac and cheese, just stir in canned or thawed frozen green peas into the macaroni and cheese!
Mac and Cheese with Bacon!
Once you’ve made the boxed mac and cheese, stir in premade bacon bits OR cooked bacon that has been drained and chopped.
Mac and Cheese with Chicken and Broccoli!
We’re turning mac and cheese into an entire meal just by adding some chicken and broccoli to it. You can use leftover chicken, home cooked chicken, frozen chicken strips that you’ve cooked or rotisserie chicken.
For the broccoli, you can use steamed fresh broccoli or frozen broccoli that has been heated.
If you’re interested in a homemade version of this recipe, I have a homemade Chicken and Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese recipe on BigBearsWife.com
Mac and Cheese with Hot Dogs!
A classic kid favorite!
Boiled, grilled or skillet cooked hot dogs will work for this. Just cook up some hot dogs, slice them into coins and then mix them into your mac and cheese.
(For a crispy top, pop the mac and cheese under the broiler for 2-3 minutes)
Mac and Cheese with Peas and Pearl onions.
I’m not normally a fan of onions UNLESS they are pearls onions! I grew up eating green peas and pearl onions as a side dish and they’re so good together.
Mix canned/drained green peas and pearl onions into prepared mac and cheese.
(For a crispy topping, add toasted breadcrumbs OR crushed French fried onions to the top of the mac and cheese. )
Mac and Cheese with diced tomatoes!
Make boxed mac and cheese according to directions.
Stir in 1 small can diced tomatoes (drained) while mac and cheese is still super hot.
Mac and Cheese Stuffed Baked Potato
Calling all carb lovers!!! These Loaded Mac and Cheese Stuffed Baked Potatoes might be the best stuffed baked potatoes ever. Homemade Mac and cheese stuffed into a freshly baked potato is a carb lover’s dream come true!
You can grab the recipe for this Loaded Stuffed Mac and Cheese Potato on BigBearsWife.com
Mac and Cheese Burger!
Make your favorite burger or cheeseburger and top it with your favorite mac and cheese right before serving!
TIP! Toast the buns before making the burger so that you don’t end up with soggy burger buns
Mac and Cheese Grilled Cheese!
Make boxed mac and cheese according to directions.
Take two pieces of bread and lightly butter the outsides.
Fill sandwich with prepared mac and cheese. Use a waffle maker or a skillet to heat/grill the grilled cheese!
Let cool slightly before eating! Inside will be hot!
Mac and Cheese Hot Dogs!
Make your favorite Hot dogs on the grill or however you like to cook them. Then top them with your favorite mac and cheese before serving!
TIP! Toast the inside of the buns before making the hot dogs for a bit of a crispy crunch.
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I love these ideas. I like to add a can of tuna to mine. Daddy used to add canned mackerel or salmon. I do like to toss in a few crumbled leftover salmon patties sometimes. Box mac n cheese is also good when chilled and tossed in your favorite salad. To make it fancy toss in cooked beef strips and bleu cheese crumbles.