Kraft Mac and Cheese is a family favorite dinner for most Americans. Every child would have a fond memory of yummy mac and cheese with veggies on the dining table. Since there are so many memories attached and it is so simple to make, everyone wants to have it. Read further to find out best substitutes for milk.
But many people are lactose intolerant, or maybe just not good with dairy. Or some people might not always have milk in their fridge each night. So here are some of the best substitutes for milk that you can add to your Kraft Mac and Cheese without losing the flavor.
Why Kraft Mac and Cheese Is an Ideal Dinner?
Even if you usually eat healthy dinners, Kraft Mac and Cheese will still be the ideal dinner for a few nights. On lazy nights when you don’t want to exert yourself much but want a filling meal, it is perfect.
It is the reason why Americans and honestly people all around the world love Kraft Mac and Cheese. It might not be suitable to eat every day, but you can have a Kraft Mac and Cheese cheat day once in a while.
Milk Substitutes for Kraft Mac and Cheese (Both Dairy and Non-Dairy)
Below are some of the common ingredients you can use in the place of milk with the same or similar measurements to make a yummy dinner:
Cream
If you do not have milk in your fridge but want some mac and cheese, you can use cream or heavy cream instead. The cream is pretty similar to milk and though it is slightly richer, it works well with cheese.
Usually, you would need a little less cream than the milk measurements and you can empty the cheese mix into the butter and cream as usual. Your result will look a little paler due to the cream but it will be just as tasty, if not more, than the milk version.
Coconut Milk
For people who are lactose intolerant or do not enjoy dairy, plant-based milk is an ideal substitute. One of these plant-based milk is coconut milk. While you might be afraid to use coconut milk, it will be alright.
The coconut flavor won’t be as obvious once you have added the cheese and pasta. It will taste slightly different but it will still have that signature mac and cheese taste to it. You can put coconut milk just like milk in the same quantity.
Soy Milk
Soy milk is another awesome plant-based milk substitute to use in your Kraft Mac and Cheese. It does have a distinctive taste, but once you add the cheese flavoring, you would hardly even notice it.
It is the perfect choice for when you might not have regular milk in your fridge. It is also a far healthier substitute due to its origin. Soy milk comes from soy which is famous for being very rich in protein. So using soy milk will make your meal a lot more nutritional.
Butter
Yes! You can entirely skip the milk and just add butter into your Kraft Mac and Cheese and call it a day. Butter might sound strange since it does not fit well with other milk substitutes, but it will give you delicious results.
Butter will make the mac and cheese far richer, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You should be careful with the amount of butter you add in because too much butter will overpower the cheese flavor. Keep the quantity a little less and follow the same procedure to get ideal results.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is also a top contender when it comes to substitutes for milk in mac and cheese. Cream cheese is far thicker and richer than any other substitute, but it’s that much more flavorful and delicious.
You have to add a lot less cream cheese as compared to the milk measurements to get the best results from it. You must know that cream cheese will make the mac and cheese thicker and richer, but the flavor will be awesome nevertheless.
Velouté Sauce
Don’t get fooled by the fancy name, this sauce is nothing but a roux with some sort of stock. It is different from Béchamel because Béchamel utilizes milk, which defeats our purpose. In this sauce, you only have to add the stock.
To make the sauce, you must heat butter and add some flour to it. Cook until the raw smell of the flour is gone and then slowly add in any stock you have lying around. You can adjust the thickness of the sauce and add it to your Kraft Mac and Cheese. It will be a little richer than regular mac and cheese but won’t alter the taste whatsoever.
Evaporated Milk or Powdered Milk
If you do not have fresh milk in your house at the moment, you might have some powdered milk lying around. You can use that in your Kraft Mac and Cheese to replace milk and still have that delicious signature flavor.
Evaporated milk also works equally well if you have run out of milk. Add pretty much the same amount of evaporated milk as you would with regular milk. The only difference between the two is that the latter will be a bit creamier.
Conclusion
There are days where you may not have milk in your fridge or can’t go out to buy it either. But it isn’t impossible to enjoy mac and cheese without milk.
If you have a food emergency and don’t know what to add to your Kraft Mac and Cheese, worry not. We have you covered with our list of the ideal substitutes for milk in Kraft Mac and Cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I add water to my Kraft Mac and Cheese?
Although water would not be the best choice for your mac and cheese, you could do it if you have a serious emergency.
- Is cream a good substitute for milk in Kraft Mac and Cheese?
Yes, the cream is one of the best substitutes for milk in Kraft Mac and Cheese. It will make the dish taste richer but will still be delicious.
- What plant-based milks can I use for Kraft Mac and Cheese?
You can use various plant-based milk like coconut milk, soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, etc. Do try to go for slightly flavorless ones for the best results.
