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Mac-n-cheese is comfort food for many, with its delicious, creamy, rich cheese over a favorite macaroni. When you have leftovers of this popular dish, you want to ensure it doesn’t dry out or turn into an unappetizing plate after reheating. The following guide will help you keep your macaroni and cheese as tasty as the day it was made.

How to Store Mac-n-Cheese

Mac-n-cheese stays freshest when stored in shallow airtight containers three inches or fewer in depth. This guarantees the food cools quickly to retain its quality and to slow bacteria growth. If it is piping hot when going into the fridge or freezer, bacteria thrive more rapidly and can even bring down the temperature of nearby foods. Let it come to room temperature, but ensure it doesn’t stay out past two hours to avoid spoilage.

Ensuring the container is airtight keeps the moisture in the dish at optimal levels, which means your scrumptious mac-n-cheese will not dry out between its time in the fridge and when you reheat it.

Reheating in the Microwave

mac-n-cheese

Microwaves are great for reheating small portions. Place the macaroni and cheese on a microwave-safe plate and add a tablespoon of whole milk per one cup of pasta to the cheese sauce to rehydrate it. Mix everything and then cover with microwave-safe wrap or a lid, keeping one corner open for the steam to release.

Heat the plate on a medium setting for one minute, and then stir it. If it is still chilly, continue reheating for 30-second intervals, stirring and checking until it is hot enough for your liking. 

Reheating in the Oven

Ovens are the best choice for warming larger portions since they distribute the heat evenly without burning. Preheat the oven to 350° F and grab a glass casserole dish. After filling the dish with leftover mac-n-cheese, pour the same ratio of milk to pasta as you would in the microwave, and mix. Cover the dish with foil to seal in moisture and heat for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and cook the macaroni and cheese for 10 more minutes to get a lovely golden brown top. 

For recipes that feature a breadcrumb topping, adding milk is not advised since it will make it soggy. Skip the milk and simply cover the dish with foil to keep in as much moisture as possible, and use the same cooking times as above.

 

If mac-n-cheese is one of your favorite foods, Mac & Cheezary is the place to go. Located in Wheat Ridge, CO, the restaurant offers fresh bowls of macaroni and cheese along with an extensive list of toppings and flavors to turn your dish up a notch. Their creative menu includes Buffalo® chicken, BBQ, all veggie, Polish Cajun, and even pizza mac. To begin your order, visit their website and use their convenient online ordering form, or call (303) 362-1944.

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