Can You Make Kraft Mac and Cheese Without Butter? Solved

Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Shari Mason

The velvety richness of butter adds a distinct taste and consistency to mac and cheese. However, is it feasible to prepare Kraft Mac and Cheese without using any butter?

Fortunately, it is not an essential recipe for either homemade or packaged mac and cheese. It has many alternatives that give more flavor to the dish.

Here are more about the best substitutes for butter and how many servings each recipe calls for.

Can You Make Kraft Mac & Cheese With No Butter?

Yes, you can definitely make Kraft Mac and Cheese without butter. Homemade and boxed macaroni and cheese will instruct you to include butter in the cooking process for a creamier dish.

But you can replace the butter with additional shredded cheese or even unflavored yogurt to achieve the same creamy result.

Vegetable oil can also give a tasty result with the help of chili flakes or chicken bouillon powder. So what are the other substitutes for butter?

Read: Do You Cover Baked Mac And Cheese With Foil?

Top 10 Butter Substitutes

1. Margarine

Margarine is the first on our list because it is the most obvious butter substitute. Although both ingredients have similar texture and flavor, margarine has less saturated fats because it is made of plant oils. 

Due to the similarities, you can use margarine in the same amount as butter or at a 1:1 ratio. It is a dairy-free substitute that will still incorporate a buttery flavor to the mac and cheese.

Read: Can You Make Kraft Mac And Cheese Without Milk?

2. Cream cheese

Heavy cream cheese is more like a flavor substitution for the nutty taste of butter. You can use it with a small amount of oil or margarine if you prefer your cheese sauce to be thinner. 

You can use cream cheese at a 1:1 ratio to make a creamy mac and cheese with a richer flavor than butter. 

Read: Does Kraft Mac And Cheese Expire?

3. Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt is rich in calcium, protein, and vitamin B12 [1], making it a healthier option than plain yogurt. 

Unlike sour cream, this product comes in various flavors that may not go well with mac and cheese.

So we recommend sticking with the unflavored variety of this yogurt at a 1:1 ratio, which will only cause a tangy taste to the dish.

Read: Is Kraft Mac And Cheese Halal?

4. Mayonnaise

Using mayonnaise imparts a delicious aroma and flavor to the cooked macaroni. It slightly thickens the texture and adds a highly satisfying sweetness for a mayo lover.

Use the mayonnaise at a 1:1 ratio to replace the butter, but you can reduce the amount if you are not accustomed to the mayonnaise flavor.

5. Ghee

Ghee is clarified butter, meaning it has almost the same fat content and nutritional profile as butter [2]. 

It has been filtered to remove any water after simmering it at low heat, resulting in its nutty flavor. It makes the perfect butter substitute for homemade mac and cheese at 1:1. 

6. Low-Fat Cheese

Various low-fat cheese types available today can replace butter in mac and cheese. For instance, cottage cheese is low in calories but high in protein, highly recommended for weight loss. 

Use it at a 1:1 ratio to achieve a creamy texture and delightful dish without worrying about your diet. 

7. Olive Oil

Olive oil has a distinct taste that may not be palatable to everyone, especially if you’re going to use it in mac and cheese. 

Due to its oily nature, drizzle half a tablespoon first and see if it is still dry before increasing the amount. Olive oil could make the entire dish slimy and oily, so we only recommend using it if you have no other choice.

8. Vegan Butter

Vegan butter is a great substitute as it is typically made from plant-based oils like avocado, olive, palm kernel, or coconut oil. It is a non-dairy product similar to butter and margarine but free of animal products. 

Using it at a 1:1 ratio, you can hardly notice the difference between this plant-based butter from the traditional one.

9. Sour Cream

Like Greek or plain yogurt, sour cream is the best butter substitute if you want a slight tanginess to your mac and cheese.

You can mix the same amount of sour cream at a 1:1 ratio as you would with butter. Although it results in a rich and creamy dish, you must limit your sour cream intake as it contains high fat and calorie content.

10. Bacon Grease

Bacon grease contains more healthy fats (derived from plant and animal foods) than butter. It has a smoky flavor that adds more characteristics to the mac and cheese than the traditional recipe.

Use the bacon grease at a 1:1 ratio to butter. Be careful not to add too much when cooking mac and cheese because the dish could have an oily texture.

What Happens If You Make Kraft Mac & Cheese Without Butter?

The dish will not be ruined even if you make Kraft Mac and Cheese without butter.

Although it is not an essential ingredient to mac and cheese, adding butter enhances its flavor and slightly increases the creaminess of the base sauce. 

And for some people, butter incorporates a unique flavor to the dish that is comforting to their taste buds. But how can you make salted butter from unsalted butter?

How To Make Kraft Mac & Cheese Without Butter

Make Kraft Mac and Cheese without butter like you usually do. Boil the noodles first in the microwave oven, then drain the water if there’s any left.

Add milk, cheese powder, and your chosen butter substitute. You can follow our recommendations on how much butter substitute you need to add or do it according to your preference. 

FAQs

In Conclusion

Butter is not an essential recipe for homemade and boxed mac and cheese. However, it helps create a rich sauce with the creamy flavor we are looking for. 

You can still make baked macaroni and cheese, but you will have to substitute butter for a thicker sauce and creamier dish.

References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cream-cheese-substitute#2.-Greek-yogurt
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321707