How To Cook Kraft Mac & Cheese In The Microwave: Explained

Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Shari Mason

If you’re looking for a quick and easy option for family get-togethers, cooking mac and cheese on the stovetop is a great choice. But, if you’re short on time or just in need of a quick snack, try Kraft’s individual servings of mac and cheese for a convenient solution.

More than a million boxes of Kraft mac and cheese are sold daily. But how do you cook Kraft mac and cheese in the microwave?

5 Easy Steps To Cook Kraft Mac & Cheese in the Microwave

1. Prepare Your Ingredients

The boxed macaroni and cheese already comes with the pasta and cheese packet. So you would only have to prepare other recipes like milk and butter. 

You have to start by preparing single-serve microwaveable bowls. There should be enough water, or 1 ⅓ cup of hot water, to soften the noodles.

Read: Dishes That Don’t Get Hot In Microwave

2. Cook Pasta In The Microwave

Pour the noodles from the box into the microwave-safe bowl you prepared beforehand. The pasta provided by Kraft takes 8 to 12 minutes to be cooked on high heat. 

After putting the bowl into the microwave oven, wait until the water evaporates. Check if the macaroni is still raw, as you may need to add more water before you continue microwaving the noodles.

Read: Can You Put A Metal Bowl In The Microwave?

3. Check Every Four Minutes & Stir 

Some microwaves cause the water to get foamy in the initial few minutes of cooking the pasta. You will need to check every four minutes and thoroughly stir the Kraft macaroni with a spatula to prevent it from sticking together. 

In addition, the water would have been absorbed after around 8 minutes. So it would be better to keep a close eye and continue stirring the macaroni.

Read: Can You Cook Tater Tots In The Microwave?

4. Add The Cheese Packet 

Ensure that the Kraft macaroni is already soft and no water is left in the bowl. 

Safely remove the bowl from the microwave using oven mitts or a kitchen towel, then take out the cheese packet in the box. You can replace or amplify the cheese packet with other cheese types.

Add butter or margarine and milk according to your preference. Stir all the ingredients to make your dish creamy and delightful.

5. Mix With Other Add Ons

There are various additional ingredients that you can choose from if you want to turn this microwaved Kraft mac and cheese into a well-rounded meal. 

You can microwave peas or frozen broccoli, then add canned tuna, vegetables, and sour cream to the cooked macaroni and cheese. Then sprinkle a blend of dried herbs for a final touch.

How to Fix Kraft Mac & Cheese In The Microwave

You can fix Kraft mac and cheese in the microwave by following five super easy steps. Start by boiling water in the oven, then put in the macaroni. The time may vary depending on the heat and the microwave used, but it only takes less than 20 minutes.

Making Kraft macaroni and cheese using a microwave does not differ from using a stovetop, though it could be less messy. 

Kraft mac and cheese was introduced in 1937, becoming a famous comfort dish for over eight decades [1]. 

Tips & Tricks When Cooking Kraft Mac & Cheese In The Microwave

Milk Substitutes

Milk substitutes offer a new twist to boxed mac and cheese. For instance, pasta water is a good source of starch that binds the macaroni and cheese sauce together [2]. It helps add flavor and thicken the cheese sauce of the Kraft macaroni and cheese. 

Amazingly, cream cheese is an ingredient that can be used in place of milk and butter or margarine to create a creamy mac and cheese sauce. 

Noodles

The secret to making a delightful Kraft macaroni and cheese is to include 1 ⅓ cup of hot water and stir the macaroni every 3 to 4 minutes. 

Make sure that you don’t overcook your Kraft macaroni, too. The pasta should be tender but firm with no crunch.

Add-Ons

Some people want to enhance their microwave Kraft mac and cheese by mixing bacon pieces, hotdog slices, or additional shredded cheese. You can choose healthy cheese varieties such as fresh mozzarella, feta cheese, and sharp cheddar.

However, if you are not a fan of the overwhelming creaminess of the mac and cheese sauce, you can try adding Dijon mustard to balance its flavors.

FAQs

Final Say

Baked macaroni and cheese is a tasty and easy-to-make dish. Cooking mac and cheese using a stove is the best choice for large servings, but a microwave is great for a single-serving bowl. 

After five simple steps and in less than 20 minutes, you can eat the cooked Kraft mac and cheese. There is also an option of turning your mac and cheese into a well-rounded meal by adding different ingredients.

Additional cheese will give you a creamier, more delicious well-cooked mac and cheese.

References:

1. https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/kraft-macaroni-cheese-name-kraft-mac-cheese 
2. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/youre-doing-it-wrong-the-guide-to-making-perfect-pasta-946855/