It’s National Mac and Cheese Day, so don’t overthink dinner tonight if you have kids. Even if you don’t have kids. There’s no shame. Who doesn’t love mac and cheese?
If you ARE looking to overachieve, a few weeks back there was a series of surveys on social media . . . posted by someone who was aiming to “make the PERFECT MACARONI AND CHEESE.” Here are the results:
1. Noodles: Spirals were the clear winner and majority, at 55% . . . with classic “curved and bent tubes” next at 22%. Shells had 15% of the vote.
2. Cheese: Cheddar was #1 at 40% . . . with “a soft, smooth melter,” like “Monterey Jack, Havarti, Muenster, or Gouda” next at 20%.
3. Spices: The most popular suggestions were: Pepper . . . dry mustard . . . paprika . . . salt . . . Dijon mustard . . . garlic powder . . . and onion powder. It’s a little surprising that cayenne missed the cut, just for some kick.
There were some fun outliers, such as boiling it in chicken stock, and adding Worcestershire sauce, curry, or pesto.
4. Meat: Around two-thirds of people voted for NONE to keep it classic (and vegetarian). The top-ranking meat was pork, most likely people wanting to add bacon. Chicken was the second-most popular.
5. Vegetables: Again, a majority of people voted for NONE to keep it plain. If you were to add a veggie, broccoli was the most popular, followed by onions.
6. Sauce: This wasn’t about ADDED sauces, but the perfect consistency of cheese sauce. The most popular response was “plenty, but not crazy.”
“Just a little extra” was next, followed by “cheese soup.” 1% said they love it, quote, “drier than the Sahara.” (Also known as . . . school cafeteria-style!)
7. Dairy: The most popular answer was adding some whole milk. Cream was second, followed by evaporated milk.
8. Cooking Style: It was close, but oven-baked beat stovetop, 58% to 42%.
