Having some leftover mac and cheese in the refrigerator is never a bad thing. Cheesy, comforting, noodle-y goodness is just waiting for you to enjoy it again. But what’s the best way to reheat it? As the mac and cheese sits in the fridge, it can lose some of its creaminess, and you have to be careful that you don’t overheat the sauce, which will cause it to separate and leave behind an oily, grainy texture.
How to Reheat Mac and Cheese
Ingredients- Prepared mac and cheese
- 1 tablespoon milk for every 1 cup mac and cheese
- 1 tablespoon shredded cheese for every 1 cup mac and cheese (optional)
- 1 teaspoon butter for every 1 cup mac and cheese (optional)
Option 1: Microwave
1. Stir the milk into the mac and cheese, then spread it out in an even layer in a shallow, microwave-safe bowl. A flatter, thinner layer is better when microwaving leftovers.
2. Cover with a microwave-safe plate or damp paper towel and microwave on 50 percent power for 1 minute. Stir and continue to microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until warmed through.
3. Stir in shredded cheese and butter if you want to get a little more creaminess.
Option 2: Stovetop
1. Break up any big clumps of mac and cheese and place in a saucepan. Stir in the milk.
2. Cook over medium or medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. (You can keep it covered for the first few minutes if you have a few servings in the saucepan.)
3. Stir in shredded cheese and butter if you want to get a little more creaminess.
Option 3: Oven or toaster oven
1. If your mac and cheese doesn’t have a crispy topping, place it in a baking dish, break up any clumps, and stir then milk into the mac and cheese. If your mac and cheese has a crispy topping, place it directly in the baking dish and just drizzle the milk down the sides of the baking dish. (Although if you can reserve the crispy topping separately, that would be even better!)
2. Cover the baking dish with an oven-safe lid or aluminum foil.
3. Bake in a 350-degree oven or toaster oven until warmed through, checking after 20 minutes (or 40 minutes if frozen). If you want a crispy top, uncover, (sprinkle with crispy topping if reserved separately or shredded cheese if you want), and bake for 10 minutes more. Stir in shredded cheese and butter if you want to get a little more creaminess.
