Mac and Cheese with Cream Cheese Tips

What are some variations of this mac and cheese recipe?

Mix up the mustard and try Dijon, yellow or stone-ground instead, or change up the cheddar cheese by using pepper jack, Gouda or gruyere. Top with bacon, or stir in cubed ham and Swiss for a blue ribbon twist. For inspiration on all the variations you can make, check out our top mac and cheese recipes.

Should I rinse the pasta before adding it to the cheese sauce?

Don’t! You’ll lose starch, which helps the sauce stick to the noodles. Make sure you are avoiding these other mistakes everyone makes when cooking pasta, too.

How do you store mac and cheese with cream cheese?

Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Its crunchy topping will taste best if you reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, but you can also warm it on the stovetop with a splash of milk to keep it creamy. If you loved this recipe, try more of our cream cheese recipes!

—Elizabeth Harris

Best-Ever Potato Soup Tips

How do you make potato soup thicker?

If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add an additional tablespoon of flour, or substitute some of the 2% milk for whole or heavy cream. These thickening ideas work just as well, too.

What if I don’t have Velveeta?

If you don’t have Velveeta, cheddar or Colby jack are good substitutes. Have extra cheese on hand? Put it to good use with these recipes that use up your favorite cheese!

What goes well with potato soup?

There's nothing like oven-fresh bread to go with homemade soup! Check out Mom’s Italian loaf , icebox rolls or any of our other bread recipes.

Can you use curry power instead of red curry paste?

Although they both have the word curry in their name, substituting yellow curry powder for the curry paste would significantly change the way this dish tastes. Red curry paste is used in Thai recipes and it’s made from a blend of red chile peppers with aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger and lemongrass. Curry powder, on the other hand, is a blend of Indian spices like turmeric, cumin and coriander. Using it would reduce the dish’s spice level, and it would not have the same flavor profile.

How can you replace fish sauce?

It’s difficult to replace fish sauce, a product made from salted, fermented anchovies. It gives this Thai red curry an umami-forward, slightly funky flavor that’s hard to replicate. You could substitute soy sauce or anchovy paste in a pinch, but the dish won’t taste quite the same.

How long will leftover red curry with chicken last?

Store red chicken curry in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last for three to four days.

Can you freeze red curry with chicken?

Freeze red curry with chicken in individual servings in freezer-safe bags. Freeze the bags flat and stack them once the dish is fully frozen. Frozen red chicken curry should last about three months in the freezer before the quality begins to degrade.

— Lindsay Mattison , Taste of Home Contributing Writer

Can you use fresh salmon in this salmon salad recipe?

This salmon salad recipe can be made with fresh salmon or prepared as a canned salmon recipe. When using fresh salmon, cook the fillet according to the directions from your favorite salmon recipe. Leftover salmon also works really well, too.

How do you store salmon salad for sandwiches?

Like other cold sandwich recipes, the salmon salad component can be made ahead of time. Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it is good for 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to make the sandwiches, place the salad on the bun with the lettuce and sliced tomato.

What goes with salmon salad sandwiches?

Salmon salad tastes fantastic on a whole wheat bun, but feel free to vary your bread choices. A white or brioche bun works just as well as whole wheat. You could also skip the bun altogether and use slices of sourdough or rye bread in its place. We love pairing salmon salad sandwiches with crispy kettle chips, but they're also really good with a peppery arugula salad.

—Lindsay Mattison, Taste of Home Contributing Writer

In our testing, we find cook times vary dramatically between brands of air fryers. As a result, we give wider than normal ranges on suggested cook times. Begin checking at the first time listed and adjust as needed.