We Made the TikTok Mac and Cheese Recipe That People Can’t Stop Raving About
Updated: Jan. 17, 2023
TikTok has shattered what we thought we knew about how to make Kraft mac and cheese.
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Kraft is the champion of boxed mac and cheese, according to our mac and cheese taste test.. It’s an easy, cheesy fix that requires virtually no effort. Just follow a couple simple steps on the side of the box to make a bowl of creamy pasta! But what if we told you that Kraft is even better with help from this TikTok mac and cheese recipe?
The viral video from TikTok user @_nikkigillespie_ completely shattered what we thought we knew about making Kraft Mac. There’s no straining—just ingredients, a pot and a spoon. Plus, the end result is allegedly creamier than the step-by-step version following the box instructions!
@_nikkigillespie_♬ original sound – Nikki Gillespie
With Nikki’s video collecting so much traffic, I decided to test the TikTok mac and cheese hack for myself.
What Makes TikTok Mac and Cheese Different?
Normally, boxed macaroni takes seven or eight minutes in boiling water until it’s al dente, and then after straining and returning to the pot, the ingredients mix up in no time.
What’s alluring about this TikTok mac and cheese recipe is that there is no straining required. Instead, all the ingredients are combined before the pot is even placed on the stove.
How to Make TikTok Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Before you break open that box of Kraft, make sure you have the following materials ready:
- 1 box Kraft Mac and Cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Enough water to cover the pasta
For the butter and milk measurements, take a look at what’s recommended on the box. Your measurements will vary if you are making more than one box, so keep that in mind.
You’ll Also Need…
Directions
Step 1: Pre-measure ingredients
To get started, the first thing you’ll want to do is measure out your milk and butter. This will vary depending on the amount of pasta you’re making, but for one box, Kraft recommends 1/4 cup of milk and 4 tablespoons of butter.
Step 2: Combine ingredients
Empty the dry pasta into a pot, and fill with water until the noodles are just covered. Proceed to add butter, followed by the packets of cheese powder that are included in the box. Do not add milk—save this for later. Give the pasta, water, cheese and butter a good stir before placing the pot on the stove.
Step 3: Heat the pasta
Heat the pasta mix on the stove over medium heat and stir occasionally until the water comes to a rolling boil. Bring the heat down to low, and let the pasta simmer gently while stirring. Do not cover the pot with a lid. You’ll notice the cheese sauce thickening and the noodles softening as the ingredients simmer together—this is exactly what you want. It should only take a few minutes for most of the liquid to evaporate.
Step 4: Add milk, mix and serve
When the cheese sauce has thickened and there is little liquid left in the pot, add in the milk. Mix it in while the heat is kept low and the macaroni is barely simmering, and keep an eye on it as you mix—you don’t want the sauce to get too thick and sticky. When you’re satisfied with the consistency, turn off the heat and serve. If you love following TikTok trends, find out about the pink sauce.
Here’s What I Thought
This TikTok hack for Kraft mac and cheese deserves all the attention it’s getting!
First of all, the absence of straining the macaroni is a nice touch. Using a colander to strain pasta isn’t at all strenuous, but it’s not something I enjoy—I’ll pass on transferring a heavy pot to the sink and the hot blast of steam to the face that follows. There’s an even easier TikTok method for straining pasta, though I often find it difficult with large amounts of food.
The pasta cooked perfectly—it wasn’t too soggy and had just the right amount of firmness. I know that some have had trouble with the pasta overcooking, but that’s why it’s important to check that the water level is just above the noodles in Step 2, and that you keep a close eye on the liquid when cooking.
I was definitely able to tell that the ingredients weren’t dumped in last minute but instead simmered together with the pasta—the cheese sauce itself was thick and creamy, not runny at all, and, dare I say, less salty. For reference, I used 2% milk and I thought this Kraft mac and cheese tasted delicious. To finish the dish, I topped it off with a dash of cracked black pepper, and was pleasantly surprised.
It’s safe to say that I’ll be ditching those instructions on the box for good, thanks to TikTok. If you haven’t yet, it’s not too late to try TikTok’s most popular recipes, like the whipped coffee got us all through the early days of quarantine, and of course, the Baked Feta Pasta that broke the internet!
Tortilla Wrap
Don't fuss around with folding a wrap ever again with this clever wrap hack. Portion out four toppings and place them on each corner of your tortilla. Then, just fold clockwise and cook. When ready to serve, slice in half for a nice and tidy wrap. This trick is a lifesaver.
Whipped Coffee
While everyone was bunkering down during the height of lockdown last year, many turned to TikTok to cure their boredom. Dalgona coffee, also known as whipped coffee, became an overnight sensation because 1) it takes only three simple ingredients to make and 2) it's creamy and delicious. Whipped coffee became so popular, in fact, that there are many riffs off of it, like whipped nutella, matcha and strawberry milk. Once you've mastered the original, try one of these whipped coffee variations.
Kit-Kat Cheesecake
One bite into this Kit-Kat cheesecake and you'll see what all the hype is about. Surrounded by a Kit-Kat "crust" ring and topped with crumbled candies, it's every Kit-Kat lover's dream. The cream cheese filling complements the decadent, chocolatey goodness of the sweets.
Pancake Cereal
Pancake cereal proves that anything bite-sized is worth the hype. The Naughty Fork combined two breakfast favorites to create this unique breakfast dish that wowed the internet. No need for milk with this cereal, though—just pour a little maple syrup over it to enjoy. Next, try combining breakfast and dinner together by making pancake spaghetti.
3-Ingredient Ice Cream
Sometimes an ice cream hankering hits faster than you can get to the store. If you've got sweetened condensed milk, cream and some sort of flavor add-in at home, then you can make this ice cream recipe when the moment strikes. Mix in whatever you're craving—from traditional vanilla to chocolate caramel cheesecake—to make your customizable ice cream dish.
Salmon and Rice Bowl
Dress up leftover salmon with this easy bowl recipe from Emily Mariko, a lifestyle blogger and TikTok creator. Microwave shredded salmon and rice, then top with soy sauce, sriracha, Kewpie mayo, avocado slices, kimchi and seaweed snacks to make it a full meal.
Cloud Bread
I'm sure you've seen this TikTok trend floating around the internet or maybe you've even whipped it up in your own kitchen. Not to be confused with keto cloud bread, TikTok's viral cloud bread recipe is a heavenly creation of its own. By using only three ingredients, you can make this colorful bread in 25 minutes flat.
Feta Pasta
The original feta pasta recipe was first created by a Finnish blogger, Liemessa, way back in 2019. However, the feta pasta we know and love gained over a million views on Grilled Cheese Social's TikTok video earlier this year. What makes this simple pasta dish stand out is how easy it is to prep. Just toss the tomatoes in a bit of olive oil and red pepper flakes, place a block of feta cheese in the middle, then add some garlic and basil. Let the tomatoes blister and the feta cheese melt to make this creamy, mouthwatering dish.
Meringue Animals
Who needs marshmallows when you can have cutesy animal-shaped meringues in your hot cocoa? This TikToker not only creates little piggies to float in your drink, but dinosaurs and weenie doggies, as requested by her many followers (over 700,000, in fact!). Follow our meringue tips to make your own and use food coloring and detailing to bring your critters to life.
Twisted Bacon
Think you've already found the crispest bacon recipe yet? Think again! While there are many ways to cook bacon, ultra-crispy twisted bacon is one of our favorites. It's the perfect on-the-go snack.
Kool-Aid Pickles
"Koolickles", or Kool-Aid pickles, change the pickle-eating game. Kool-Aid powder transforms tangy dill pickles (either spears or chips) into a sweet and sour treat that's absolutely crave-worthy. It'll be hard to eat just one.
Oreo Sushi
If Oreo sushi isn't the right way to eat an Oreo, we don't want to be right. This sweet treat mimics rolled ice cream and only uses two ingredients. Dunk into a "soy sauce" aka chocolate sauce or milk. Get to know about the pink sauce trending on TikTok.
Crispy Potatoes
This tasty TikTok potato recipe relies on a little bit of food science, a few pinches of salt and a couple of Yukon Gold potatoes to get their ultra-crispy texture. Season with Old Bay, paprika, black pepper, Maldon salt and a few sprigs of rosemary for the perfect potato side for garlic-butter steak or a warm bowl of soup.
Apple Cider Mimosas
It's the brunch mainstay drink with a fall twist. Swap the OJ for apple cider to make this fall-inspired cocktail. Not a fan of champagne? Spike it with flavored vodka, like apple or salted caramel, to make this apple cider mimosa your own.
Garden Focaccia
This viral TikTok trend was another born during the height of lockdown when everyone was trying out new baking projects to pass the time. Beautiful breads, like this garden focaccia from Diane Morrisey, were taking over For You Pages everywhere during the spring of 2020. Not only are their designs inspiring, but they're made of edible ingredients, so nothing goes to waste.
Corn Ribs
Hearing the name corn ribs may make you raise your eyebrows at first, but we promise you that they're to die for. To make corn into "ribs," you cut each ear into four pieces—that's what gives them their rib shape. Then, you can serve them the traditional way, with a smoky elote-inspired sauce or on their own.
Bacon-Wrapped Pickles
Here's another bacon-wrapped goodie to add to your recipe book. Bacon-wrapped pickles will be a sure-fire hit at your next party or get-together. And thankfully, TikTokers have not only created a recipe for your smoker, but for your air fryer, too.
Ramen Lasagna
Give pasta night a new twist and replace those lasagna noodles for a handful of ramen. The kids will love this one and you'll love how easy it is to put together. (Think outside the packet with this ramen slider recipe, too.)
Hot Cocoa Bombs
Hot cocoa bombs work similarly to a bath bomb—just pour hot water (or milk) over it to release yummy, chocolaty goodness. Most hot cocoa bombs release all sorts of goodies once melted, like mini marshmallows and sprinkles.
Mac and Cheese
Sure, it may look like your usual Kraft Mac and Cheese, but this viral mac and cheese hack has changed the way we prep our mac forever. The key step? No straining. Add all your fix-ins directly in with the noodles as they cook to give it an extra creamy consistency.
Adult Capri Suns
These super-sized adult Capri Sun drinks are about to be your drink of the summer. Using a bag of frozen fruit and a splash of summery wine, this summer cocktail couldn't be any easier to make. Don't forget to poke a hole through the bag for some extra nostalgia. Try out these Capri Sun popsicles next.
Taco Pickles
Taco seasoning and a jar of dill pickles are a match made in heaven, and you'll see why if you make this recipe yourself. Taco pickles are a great afternoon snack or you can serve as a spicy side for your sandwich lunch.
Chicken Tacos
Cheap, easy and oh-so-delicious, this chicken taco recipe was made for the college student in your life (or any beginner chef for that matter). These tacos only need one pan and a handful of ingredients to make. I think the fried taco shell really brings this taco recipe to the next level!
Vegan Bacon
If you're a vegan eater, you know it's hard to find the right meat substitute for bacon. It's difficult to get that crunchy texture and smoky flavor. That's where vegan bacon steps in to satisfy any bacon hankerings. The surprise ingredient you ask? Carrots!
Malibu Pineapples
Boozy pineapples? Count us in. Soak a jar of pineapples in Malibu rum overnight for a tropical snack that will take you straight to the tropics in one bite. Enjoy them as is, coated in toasted coconut or inside a rum cocktail.
Air-Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Move over, skillet cookie. There's a new cookie in town (and it takes less than half the time and effort). This giant air-fryer cookie recipe takes a mere 10 minutes to achieve that crispy, gooey texture you get from most skillet cookie recipes. Plop a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top when you're ready to serve.
Pesto Eggs
Out of all the easy TikTok recipes and hacks on this list, this one is the simplest. All you need to do to make the famous pesto eggs is swap your go-to cooking oil for a little bit of pesto while you're frying them up on your skillet. This trick works for scrambled, sunny side up or however you like to eat your eggs. Serve over smashed avocado toast to make it a full meal.
Creamy Lemonade
Pour yourself a tall glass of this whipped lemonade recipe to beat the heat. This stuff is a level up on what you get at the lemonade stand. Whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk give it that frothy, mouthwatering taste and texture.
3-Ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo
You'll never make fettuccine Alfredo any other way again after you try this simple Alfredo recipe that uses salted butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Simply toss the fettuccine in its 2-ingredient sauce for a restaurant-worthy fettuccine Alfredo.
Flamin' Hot Cheeto Salad
Salad is a term I'll use loosely here, but nonetheless, this Flamin' Hot Cheeto salad has gotten rave reviews on the internet. Made up of hot Cheetos, cilantro, cucumber, hot sauce and lemon juice, this salad is for those who like a little kick. And since it's so simple, there's plenty of room to customize with other toppings and mix-ins.
Smoked Cream Cheese
Fire up the grill for a showstopping cheesy appetizer that'll please the whole family. Smoked cream cheese—coated in pecan and BBQ rub—practically melts in your mouth after it's done cooking in your smoker. Haul out the Ritz crackers and dive right in.
White Claw Slushies
Raise a toast to this chilly, refreshing cocktail. This adult-friendly slushie is basically begging to be at your next pool party or outdoor barbecue. Put a pack of black cherry White Claws to good use by blending up this recipe (or any of your favorite White Claw flavors—the opportunities are endless).
Air-Fryer Oreos
This is a hack that you wish you would've run into sooner. Create this state fair food right in your own kitchen with this TikTok air-fryer Oreos recipe. Since they use an air fryer, they're a bit on the healthier side than the deep-fried ones you find at your local fair.
Breakfast Sandwich
Make your mornings even breezier with this TikTok breakfast sandwich. The trick here is to pour two whisked eggs onto your skillet and dip two slices of bread into that mixture. Once cooked, flip them over and onto each other to make your sammy. We recommend adding a few slices of bacon and some melted cheese. Easy-peasy!
Creamy Ramen Noodles
Watery ramen is a thing of the past thanks to this ramen TikTok hack. Combine mayo and eggs to create a creamy sauce for this classic noodle dish. Our suggestion? Add sauteed veggies and a protein (like chicken or tofu) for additional flavor.
Ranch Pickles
Ranch lovers, rejoice! We've got a new concoction you have to try for yourself: Ranch pickles. This snack is seriously addicting. Got some leftover ranch? Use it up with one of these recipes that start with a packet of ranch dressing mix.
Watermelon Pizza
Take a bite into summery flavor with this watermelon pizza recipe. Chamoy (a pickled fruit sauce) is the "tomato sauce" and lemon slices and tajin seasoning make for some tasty "pizza toppings." Cut into slices for the full pizza dining experience. If you love this recipe, give this fruit pizza a try. And for another viral pizza recipe, this burrata pizza offers delicious flavor.
Pickled Garlic
Pickled garlic is your new go-to if you don't have any kimchi at home. TikTok creator, @Lalaleluu, created this recipe after she moved away from her Korean neighbor who frequently gave her a supply of homemade kimchi. She swears this is the next best thing.
Oreo Mug Cake
Oh, mug cakes...we love you. The convenience, the simplicity, the ooey-gooey middle. This Oreo mug cake takes just a minute to turn a handful of crushed Oreos and a splash of milk into a decadent, tender treat.
Frozen Grapes
Here's a riff off the fan-favorite cotton candy grapes! Using your favorite powdered Jell-O flavor mix and a bag of green grapes, you can make this snackable sweet. And if you're a WW member, this guy is a 0-point treat if you use sugar-free Jell-O mix. For another delicious TikTok grapes recipe, try out this air fryer grapes option.
Crunchy Bread
Crunchy bread...aka the best thing since sliced bread. Just pick up a loaf of classic white bread (we think experimenting with sourdough, wheat or pumpernickel could be just as wonderful), douse in whisked egg and fry on your stovetop. Perfect for French toast or monkey bread!
"Snickles"
TikTokers swear that you shouldn't knock this recipe until you try it (I'm not sure if I believe them either, but I digress). "Snickles" are exactly what they sound like. Slice a big dill down the middle and place your candy bar inside for a tangy, yet sweet, snack.
Turkey-Shaped Sourdough Bread
Here's a festive turkey-shaped bread perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner. You can easily customize this recipe for other holidays and celebrations as well. Shape as a pumpkin for fall or a wreath for Christmas. Up Next: This “Nacho Table” Is Perfect to Share with Family and Friends
