The Simple Way To Upgrade Your Mac And Cheese

Think of all the classic meals from your childhood: Crispy tater tots and chicken nuggets, triangle-cut grilled cheese, juicy Ball Park Franks, and of course, mac and cheese. It's the favorite childhood meal of many, but it can get a bit monotonous after a while, especially if it's the instant kind. Boil pasta, drain, add cheese packet, milk, and butter. Then serve, enjoy, rinse, and repeat.

If you're bored with your mac and cheese, there's a simple way to upgrade it to make it a bit more exciting. You can spice it up by adding some garlic or other seasoning, or you can add some shredded cheese to make it super cheesy. Some people even add honey to give it a nice sweet flavor to complement the salty flavor.

But beyond flavor, there's another ingredient you can add to give your mac and cheese some texture while mixing it with another easy-to-make pasta.

Ramen noodles are another convenient type of pasta to make for children and adults, and they offer a lot of options when it comes to the seasoning flavors. The broth is the best part, right? Now imagine adding the seasoned soup to the mac and cheese.

First, make your mac and cheese the way you normally do. Instant and from-scratch will both work. While you're waiting for the mac and cheese to cook, you can make the ramen at the same time. When they're both done and ready to serve, scoop some mac and cheese in a bowl. Then pour some ramen soup over it, but not too much. Start with a small amount and taste it first to see if you want to add more.

Now for the texture. You'll want to save this step for last. Chopped bacon is commonly used to add texture to pasta, but if you prefer something faster and without grease, try Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Crush up a few in a separate bowl and sprinkle them atop the pasta to give it a satisfying crunchiness. Not a fan of Flamin' Hots? Use regular Cheetos instead.

The saltiness of the ramen soup and the crunchy Cheetos are the perfect combination for mac and cheese for all ages.