Milk Substitute for Mac and Cheese {8 Best Kitchen Topper}

Mac and cheese are one of everyone’s favorite old-time recipes. 

Macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, and butter combine to make a great tasty treat. 

But what if you want to make it healthier? What should you use instead of milk? 

Well, it’s actually pretty simple: You can substitute the milk with equally delicious coconut milk, Soy milk, Almond Milk, Cream cheese so on.

Read more to know Milk substitute for mac and cheese healthy, tasty, vegan friendly.

What is Mac & Cheese?

What’s not to like about macaroni and cheese? It’s creamy, cheesy, and comforting – perfect for a cold winter day. Plus, it’s easy to make and tailored to your liking. 

You can experiment with other cheeses, like Gruyere, cheddar, and blue cheese, and serve it with different meats, such as chicken or bacon.

Although this dish is typically considered a teenager’s go-to comfort food, mac and cheese can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Delicious Milk Substitute for Mac and Cheese

1. Mac and Cheese with ALMOND MILK

It might sound crazy, but it’s true! Almond milk is a great alternative to cow’s milk for making mac and cheese and healthy as well. 

It’s not only delightful, but it’s also lactose-free, making it ideal for lactose-sensitive folks.

almond milk is the best milk substitute for mac and cheese.

It’s excellent for a quick weeknight meal or a quick lunch on the go!

Not to mention it’s gluten-free, so it’s perfect if you need something that isn’t going to irritate your stomach.

2. CREAM CHEESE in mac and cheese

Cream cheese not only makes the dish creamier but also gives it a tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the cheesy sauce.

If you want to take your mac and cheese to the next level, add some cream cheese to the recipe. You’re going to enjoy it, I promise!

Cream Cheese in Mac and Cheese:

· 1 (16 ounces) package uncooked elbow macaroni or other small pasta shapes (legume, rice, whole grain) 

· 4 tablespoons butter 

· 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 

· 3 cups milk 

· 1 teaspoon salt 

· 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 

· Dash or two of cayenne pepper (optional) 

· 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 

· 8 ounces softened to room temperature cream cheese

· 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Direction:

1. preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray; set aside.

2. Cook pasta until all drains as per package direction.

3. Melt the butter over medium flame. Mix in the flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and mustard until the sauce thickens and boils.

4. Add cream cheese and Cheddar cheese a little at a time, constantly stirring until cheese is melted. Add drained pasta; mix well and pour into prepared pan.

5. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown on top.

3. Substitute for milk in mac and cheese SOUR CREAM 

Sour cream is a thick, creamy sauce or dressing made from sour cream, milk, and vinegar. It can be utilized in place of milk in mac and cheese to give it a richer flavor. 

Sour cream is also a good source of protein and calcium.

A cup and a half of sour cream are good for one box of mac and cheese. You can add more or less based on how creamy or thick you want it.

4. Substitute MAYO for milk in mac and cheese

The popular dish mac and cheese can be made with mayo to create a creamy and cheesy meal. This is a fantastic choice for dairy-free or lactose-intolerant persons.

the image contains a bowl of mayo. a popular dish mac and cheese can be made with mayo to create a creamy and cheesy meal. 

Making mac and cheese the traditional way involves the use of mayonnaise, which makes it even tastier. 

But how much do you want? The answer is; as much as you like. I usually put a little more than what I normally put on sandwiches or salads. How about you?

5. Use SOY MILK – Alternative to Milk for Mac and Cheese

Soy Milk is vegan-friendly milk, even healthy good for lactose-intolerant people. Soy milk contains about 250 mg of calcium, the highest amount of calcium from the plant source. It’s a healthy alternative because it has many health benefits.

Consider soy milk if you’re searching for an alternative to milk when making mac and cheese. It has the same thickness as cow’s milk and can be used in the same recipes.

When making mac and cheese with soy milk, you will need to adjust the amount of liquid used. 

Soy milk is thicker than cow’s milk, so you need less liquid to achieve the desired consistency. 

Add a pinch of cornstarch or flour to thicken the soy milk if necessary.

6. Substitute WATER for milk in mac and cheese

Using water instead of milk is a quick and easy way to create mac and cheese.

Simply follow your favorite mac and cheese recipe, but use water instead of milk. 

You may need to add a little more salt to the recipe if using water, but other than that, it should be a simple swap.

If you are looking for an even easier way to make mac and cheese, you can use a boxed version. 

Do the same as per package instruction and only substitute water for the milk. This is a wonderful solution if you’re short on time or ingredients.

Whether you are using milk or water, mac and cheese is a quick and easy meal that the whole family will love. 

Give it a try today!

7. Substitute HEAVY CREAM for milk in mac and cheese

Another one of my favorite options to make mac and cheese instead of milk is heavy cream. Although the mouthfeel is a little thicker than milk, trust me when I say you’ll adore it.

Ingredients: 

· 1/4 cup heavy cream (60ml) 

· 1/2 cup milk (120ml) (optional)

· 2.5 oz (70g) elbow macaroni 

· 3.25 oz (90g) cheddar cheese, 

· grated Sea salt and black pepper to taste. 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions in heavily salted boiling water.

2. Drain and reserve about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the cooking liquid.

3. Combine the cream, cheese, and about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of the reserved cooking liquid in a saucepan.

4. Heat over medium heat while constantly stirring until the cheese is melted and becomes creamy

5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked pasta and pour it into a baking dish. 

7. Top with additional grated cheddar cheese (optional). 

8. Broil briefly in the oven until the top has browned (optional).

Note: You can also use cream or half-and-half instead of milk, but I prefer using milk to get a thicker sauce.

8. COCONUT MILK Substitute For Milk to Mac & Cheese

My daughter is lactose intolerant, which I recently discovered. I’ve been looking for milk replacements for cooking and baking.

Coconut milk seems to be the best substitute so far…

Make sure you don’t shake or stir coconut milk before opening, as it can irritate the throat. 

In most recipes, store-bought canned coconut milk will work great as milk substitution for mac & cheese.

This vegan mac and cheese recipe uses coconut milk as the main ingredient, and the rest is the same.

Best Non Dairy Milk for Mac and Cheese

There are so many options for non dairy mac and cheese, including- Soy milk, Coconut Milk, Cashew milk.

Check here for More- Dairy-free options for Mac and cheese and how to make it more interesting. (interlink)

Can you make Kraft mac and cheese without milk and butter?

Yes, you can make Kraft mac and cheese without milk and butter. 

You can use either vegetable oil or margarine in place of the butter, and any type of non-dairy milk will work in place of the milk. 

Just be sure to stir the mixture well with no lumps.

Some people also like to add shredded cheese, chopped onions, or other seasonings to their mac and cheese. 

You can try numerous variants to find the recipe that you enjoy the best.

If you’re hunting for a vegan alternative to Kraft Mac and Cheese, various recipes are available online.

One popular recipe uses nutritional yeast in place of the cheese, while others use vegan cheese sauces.

Kraft mac and cheese is a crowd-pleaser whether you’re searching for a quick and simple weeknight dinner or a dish to bring to a potluck. With or without milk and butter, it’s sure to be a hit!

What can you substitute for milk in pasta?

When it comes to substituting milk in pasta, there are a few different options to choose from. 

If you’re searching for a dairy-free option, soy milk or almond milk are both good substitutes. 

However, if you’re looking for milk that will add flavor and richness to your pasta dish, coconut milk or broth are the way to go. 

3-ingredient mac and cheese without milk

You bet! I’ve tried making macaroni and cheese without milk before, but this recipe is by far the best. 

It bakes up with a nice crunchy topping (no breadcrumbs required!), and the cheddar flavor really shines through.

My daughter loved it, my husband wanted more cheese, and I thought it was fantastic. No one could believe that there was no milk in it!

Ingredients:

· 1/2 lb. macaroni noodles, cooked al dente

· 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

· 1/4 cup melted butter

Instructions:

1. preheat the cookstove to 350 degrees F.

2. Mix together cooked noodles, shredded cheese, and melted butter until well combined.

3. Place into a 9×13-inch baking dish that has been greased.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top. Serve warm. 

Enjoy!

As I mentioned before, this recipe is fantastic, but you could also experiment with other types of cheese. 

I think a mix of cheddar and mozzarella would be great, or you could add some chopped green onions or bacon for extra flavor. 

This easy 3-ingredient mac and cheese is sure to please no matter what you do!

My All-time Favourite Milk Substitute for Mac and Cheese

My Alltime favored Replacement for milk to make Mac & Cheese:

· Coconut Milk

· Heavy cream

· Almond milk

· Obviously regular Milk

· Cheese Cream

Wrap Up On Substitute for Milk in Mac and Cheese

After discussing the possible substitutes for milk in mac and cheese, it can be said that all are perfect. But it always depends on you; what will be your most preferable.

It is important to experiment with different options to see what gives the best results. Ultimately, substitute choice will come down to personal preference and taste.

FAQs Related to Milk -Mac and Cheese & Its Alternatives

Q1. Do you need milk for mac and cheese?

The answer is that it depends. You can generally use water or milk with packaged mac and cheese.

If you really want to prepare your own mac and cheese, you’ll need milk because the sauce is formed from flour and butter, which must be boiled with milk to achieve a thick and creamy texture.

Some people also add a splash of milk to boxed mac and cheese toward the end of the cooking time to make it creamier (just like you might add evaporated milk to homemade mac and cheese).

Some people choose not to use any dairy products in their macaroni and cheese. If this is your preference, simply substitute plant-based milk like almond milk, soy milk, or rice milk. 

You can also use vegan cheese to achieve a cheesy flavor and creamy texture.

Q2. What is the best-evaporated milk substitute for mac and cheese?

The best substitute for evaporated milk in mac and cheese is heavy cream.

The cream will add a lot of richness to the dish, but it won’t add any flavors that conflict with the sauce.

For example, almond milk or soy milk will change the flavor profile of your sauce while making it taste more like cereal.
 
Skim or 1% milk is slightly better, but it’s still going to add a degree of flavor and richness that you don’t need.

Q3. What cheese is best in mac and cheese?

There is a variety of cheese that can be used in mac and cheese, but the most favored choice is cheddar.

Other common choices include mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan. But really, any type of cheese can be used in mac and cheese as long as it melts well. 

For example, blue cheese or gorgonzola can be a delicious addition to this classic dish.

Some people like to add various toppings to their mac and cheese, such as crumbled bacon, bread crumbs, or chopped scallions.

Others love to keep things simple by using only cheese and noodles.

No matter how you like your mac and cheese, there are plenty of different cheeses that you can use to make it taste better.

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