Mac and Cheese Without Milk: Easy Alternatives & Flavor Boosting Guide

Mac and cheese is a staple food in North America, Europe, and in many other places. Something as seemingly simple as pasta and cheese can take many different forms, as many as there are cheeses, and more, and they're all delicious! That said, many, if not most macaroni and cheese recipes rely on using milk. Maybe you find that milk makes your mac and cheese too thin, or maybe you're lactose intolerant. Whatever the case may be, today we're going to talk about how to make mac and cheese without milk.

The Basics - What is Mac and Cheese?

Mac and cheese, also known as macaroni and cheese, is one of the most popular comfort foods in North America that has been enjoyed for many generations. This is a classic dish that consists of macaroni pasta that is covered in a creamy and cheesy sauce.

Although mac and cheese may have its origins in Europe, it is most popular in America. It's often eaten as either a main dish or a side. Traditionally, mac and cheese is made with macaroni, butter, milk, flour, and cheese.

The milk and flour can be used to create a bechamel sauce, which helps make everything much creamier. The butter is rich, and the cheese provides the mac and cheese with its signature texture and flavour. However, what we're here to do today is to look at some alternatives to milk for making your mac and cheese.

Best Types of Cheese to Use for Mac and Cheese

Before we talk about making mac and cheese without milk, let's take a quick look at some of the best types of cheese to use for making this awesome dish.

• Cheddar cheese is one of the most popular and commonly used for this dish. It has a sharp and rich flavour and it melts very easily. If you want a well balanced dish, combine different types of cheddar.
• Many people choose to use gruyere cheese, which is a type of Swiss cheese with a slightly nutty flavour and a creamy texture. If you want some depth and something slightly exotic in your mac and cheese, then this is it.
• If you're into cheese that has a mild and sweet flavour with just a bit of smokiness, then gouda is a great one to consider.
• If you're looking for a whole lot of extra flavour and a bit of a salty kick, combined with a slight nutty flavour, consider adding a bit of parmesan to your dish.
• If you're looking to create a gooey and stretchy mac and cheese, adding a bit of mild mozzarella could be a great option.
• If you want to enrich your mac and cheese, using Italian fontina is a great option. It has both a buttery and nutty flavour, and it melts very easily.

Can You Make Mac and Cheese Without Milk?

Although milk is often used to make mac and cheese, it doesn't have to be. It is totally possible to make mac and cheese without milk, and here are some alternatives you have at your disposal.

Cream

For those who aren't lactose intolerant, and want something much richer and creamier, you can go for heavy cream. Just be careful that your dish doesn't become too thick, and beware that this will make your mac and cheese much more calorie heavy.

Dairy-Free Alternatives

For anyone who has certain dietary preferences or requirements, there are dairy free milk alternatives available for use. These include coconut milk, oat milk, and soy milk. Make sure however that you choose versions that have not been sweetened, or else your mac and cheese will end up tasting quite weird.

Stock or Broth

If you think that you might like the depth that a bit of beef, chicken, or vegetable broth might add to the mix, then this makes for a great milk substitute. That said, broth won't create that creaminess or thickness that you're looking for, which means that you might want some cornstarch or flour to make a creamier mac and cheese.

Sour Cream

Although not very common, it is possible to use sour cream or even Greek yogurt as a substitute to milk. Just be aware that it will make your mac and cheese slightly tangy.

Cheese

You don't always need milk or even a milk substitute. If you're looking to create a creamy mac and cheese without dairy or any other liquid, simply use a whole lot of cheeses that melt really well. You could even add a bit of cream cheese to the mix. There are even vegan cheeses you can use!

How to Make Mac and Cheese Without Milk: Step-by-Step

Here we have a really great recipe for mac and cheese without milk.

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni (or any pasta of your choice)
• 1 cup heavy cream or 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Gruyre cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Now that we have our ingredients, let's cook your mac and cheese without milk.

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, roughly 4 litres.
• Add the pasta into the water and cook it until they are al dente, and then drain it and set it aside.
• You're now going to mix the butter and flour in a saucepan over medium heat to create the rue. Continue cooking this until it's slightly golden brown, about two minutes.
• Whisk in your broth, heavy cream, or whatever other liquid you are using until you have a creamy mixture. Keep cooking this for between 5 and 7 minutes until it becomes thick and creamy.
• Slowly add the cheese to the equation with the sauce on low heat. Keep stirring until all of the cheeses are fully melted and incorporated. You can now season with any seasonings you see fit.
• Add the cheese sauce to the cooked pasta and stir evenly. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes on low heat to make sure that the sauce is creamy and that the pasta is fully coated.

Some Tips for the Best Mac and Cheese

Let's quickly go over some tips that you can follow to make your mac and cheese just that much tastier.

• The higher quality the cheese you use, the better the flavour is going to be. This is why you should use fresh cheese instead of pre shredded or grated cheese.
• A mistake that many make is not seasoning their mac and cheese properly. At the very least, add a good amount of salt and pepper, and other spices as you see fit.
• If your sauce is too thin, don't serve it. You can always make it thicker by simmering it for just a little longer. However, if it's too thick, add a splash of water or a bit of broth.
• If you want your mac and cheese to have a bit of texture, top it with breadcrumbs, and then bake at 350 for up to 25 minutes.