To those of you who didn't grow up in America, this may look like a boring meal. For me, however it was the most exciting meal I've made in a very long time.
In high school and university, my friends and I would prepare boxes of Kraft pasta and cheese which we would eat in massive portions with illegally acquired alcohol.
Here in the UK, I haven't found anything like it except for in rather expensive specialty shops. So today I decided to take out my food dehydrator and see if I could make something like Kraft pasta and cheese myself.
I succeeded!
Kraft boxes come equipped with macaroni and a pack of dried yellow cheese ( with perhaps a few other things in the mix ) that you then mix with butter and milk to make the cheesy sauce.
Anyway, the mac and cheese was rather bland but it hit the spot. It was moorish and you really couldn't get enough of it.
I'm not saying it was the best. By no means. If I were cooking pasta and cheese for a party, it would have to be this recipe.
That said, whenever I go back home to the US, I always bring a few boxes of Kraft back with me.
My kids love it too. The problem is, when the boxes are gone, we have a long wait before we can get more.
Kraft pasta and cheese if available online here in the UK from specialty shops but this copy cat recipe tastes just like the real thing. In fact, it's better. My blend is made with 100% strong Cheddar that is available everywhere.
What if I don't have a dehydrator for my pasta and cheese?
Using a dehydrate makes the process easier. Just place the grated cheese in it and let it dehydrate for 12 hours.
You could also do this in an oven though.
If using an oven, simply set the temperature to about 50c (120f). The following photographs show me making the dehydrated cheese in my dehydrator.
You might be wondering why you don't just use freshly grated Cheddar.
You can but it won't taste like Kraft's. When you dehydrate cheese, it takes on a slightly different flavour. When mixed with the milk and butter, the dried cheese becomes so smooth and nice.
Depending on how much cheese you dehydrate, you may have more than you need.
The cheese will reduce in size by almost one half. Any leftover dehydrated cheese can be stored in an air-tight container for a long time. I vacuum seal mine in plastic bags though that probably isn't necessary.
This recipe will serve four. I bet if you make it for yourself though, you'll have a hard time putting your spoon down. Enjoy!
Note: I used grease proof paper in the photograph. I recommend using paper towels as it soaks up the fat from the cheese better. If cooking in an oven, use grease proof paper if you are not going to be watching it constantly.
Recipe
Copy Cat Kraft Pasta and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 500g dry pasta of your choice
- 3 heaping tablespoons dehydrated Cheddar
- 70ml ( ¼ cup) milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Following the cooking instructions for the pasta you use. Cook it and drain.
- Place the cooked pasta in a large pan over low heat and stir in the dried cheese, milk and butter.
- Stir slowly until the butter, milk and cheese turn into a smooth sauce that coats the pasta.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
I hope you enjoy my Kraft pasta and cheese recipe. If you do give it a go, please don't be a stranger! Leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you.
