Creamy Mac and Cheese

Creamy mac and cheese: the perfect food?

Is there anything better in the world than a heaping helping of creamy mac and cheese? It's the ultimate comfort food – the perfect balance of slightly chewy and extra gooey goodness. When you want perfectly creamy mac and cheese – and really, who doesn't? – it really all comes down to the cheese. Macaroni doesn't really pull its weight on this one.

Now, mac and cheese usually wants two kinds of cheeses: one for flavor and one for melting. And for incredibly creamy mac and cheese, make sure that your melting cheese is a champion. We're talking Hall-of-Cheese-Fame classics like mascarpone, gruyere, Monterey Jack, cheddar, and burrata. And as you're selecting your thoroughbred melters, here's a little tip: Wisconsin cheeses are the surest bet for awesomely creamy mac and cheese.

That's because, in Wisconsin, we're constantly working to make the best and tastiest cheese on the planet. Just poke around on our website and you'll see loads of award-winning cheeses, not to mention some awesome gourmet mac and cheese recipes. And for more tips on whipping up some extra creamy mac and cheese, check out the expert recommendations below.

Tips for perfectly creamy mac and cheese

1. Start with the right cheese, please. You can use several melting cheeses in your recipe like fontina, monterey jack, or baby swiss. But for the creamiest mac and cheese, add some mascarpone. Even just a few spoonfuls of this velvety cheese will really up the creaminess factor. Cottage cheese, yogurt, and even cream cheese can help achieve the same effect.
2. For cooking pasta, make it milk. Cooking your macaroni in milk rather than water will add another layer of creamy texture.
3. Real cream makes it real creamy. Consider using a combination of milk and cream rather than whole milk alone.
4. Go easy on the roux. While a good roux will help thicken your sauce, too much will turn a creamy mac and cheese into a gelatinous casserole.
5. To bake or not to bake. While most recipes tell you to pop your mac and cheese in the oven, baking can sometimes produce a drier, more casserole-type dish. Stovetop or slow cooker mac and cheese recipes – or even pressure cooker mac and cheese recipes – can help you achieve the silky smoothness your heart and tastebuds desire.

In Wisconsin, we dream of creamy mac and cheese

In Wisconsin, we dream in cheese. More often than not, those dreams are of the creamiest mac and cheese you can imagine. And of course, that dreamy dish always starts with Wisconsin cheese. Because every Wisconsinite knows that the tastiest, most award-winning, highest-quality cheese in the world is made right here in the State of Cheese.

See, cheese has been our obsession for 180 years – since before we were even a state. It's kind of our thing, and it's why 90% of Wisconsin milk ends up in one of the 600 varieties, types, and styles of cheese we make. It's also why we've won more awards for our cheese than any other state or country in the world. We kid you not.

So, remember this: next time you're craving creamy mac and cheese, a real Wisconsin mac and cheese is sure to make your dreams come true.