Macaroni and cheese, mac and cheese, mac ‘n cheese, mac & cheese—however you say or spell it, the words immediately conjure up childhood memories.
But like so many comfort foods, mac and cheese has evolved. It’s so much more than cheese powder and noodles heated in a microwave. Restaurants have found ways to elevate and modify macaroni without losing the simple, cheesy goodness that has made it so beloved.
Beyond Cheddar
Taking something to the max might sound intimidating, but even just a few simple switch-ups can make a big difference. “Like any item, changing only one thing can bring new, fun ideas to the menu,” explains Dot Foods Corporate Chef Tim Gump. “Change the sauce, seasoning, or even the pasta shape for a different kind of macaroni.”
Take the mild cheddar cheese sauce. Although a classic part of mac and cheese, it can easily be swapped out for mornay, beer cheese, or white cheese sauce. An addition of jalapeno or sriracha to the sauce can give diners the spice they increasingly crave.
Breakfast Mac and Cheese?
In 2020, Kraft reported that 56% of surveyed parents had given their children mac and cheese for breakfast during the pandemic more often than before. It’s easy to forgive unusual eating habits from 2020, but let’s look at those last four words: “more often than before.” Mac and cheese for breakfast wasn’t a totally new phenomenon.
While it might sound odd at first, on second thought, a breakfast-ified macaroni actually sounds pretty good, and not just for kids. What’s stopping anyone from topping mac and cheese with bacon, sausage, eggs, or biscuit crumbles? This could open up a new frontier for the breakfast menu.
Fully Loaded
Chefs have been doing the most with mac and cheese. From fancy cheeses to snack food, just about every ingredient has found itself on top of macaroni. That helps operators reduce waste by repurposing excess ingredients for mac and cheese toppings.
Chefs can take their mac and cheese toppings in so many directions:
Queso, chorizo, salsa verde, and tortilla chips can bring together the comforts of mac and cheese and Mexican cuisine.
Transform mac and cheese into luxurious fare with lobster, mushrooms, truffles, and upscale cheese.
Bring the fun of a convenience store run with crushed cheetos and beef jerky toppings.
Dill-icious
Dill is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of mac and cheese, but according to Tastewise, it’s currently the second-highest ingredient related to macaroni experiencing growth.
The herb, often used for pickling, may be following in the wake of pickle’s major wave in popularity. Pickles have made their way to pizza, frozen drinks, desserts and, of course, TikTok. While dill adds subtle sweetness, fried dill pickles introduce a stronger flavor dimension to classic mac.
Your Sourcing Solution
Menu items as ubiquitous as mac and cheese can sometimes seem impossible to reinvent. But reinvention doesn’t have to be the end game. Like Chef Tim said, just one extra ingredient, one little twist, can grab the attention of consumers.
From instant mac to intriguing toppings, Dot has it all. Visit our website to start taking mac and cheese to the max.
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