For those who don't buy cow milk but enjoy a little mac and cheese every now and then, it can be hard to know how to make it. After all, non-dairy milk might not suffice for a dish that is supposed to be filled with dairy. Annie's Mac and Cheese is a great box brand, and you're probably wondering if it will still taste the same with almond milk.
Luckily, almond milk works great in Annie's Mac And Cheese! It will taste very good as long as you use the right kind, and really won't be that much different from using cow's milk. Though, if you aren't a fan of almond milk you may pick up on that taste, which is something to keep in mind.
The rest of this article is going to go into all the details when it comes to putting almond milk in your Annie's Mac and Cheese so that you can do so with ease.
How to Make Annie's Mac and Cheese With Almond Milk
Making Annie's Mac and Cheese with almond milk is super easy. This is because you just make it how you would normally make it, substituting almond milk for the regular milk.
First, you boil the pasta on the stovetop. This should be done however it says on the instructions, but usually it is cooked in about 6-8 minutes. Drain it once it's cooked.
The instructions say to put 1/4 cup of milk (or in this case, almond milk) in a separate pan on the stovetop and heat it up with 2 tbsp of butter (though this is optional).
Then add in the cheese packet and stir until it's combined.
After this, you can stir in the cooked noodles and combine them with the cheese mixture. Then you are done and it's ready to enjoy!
So as you can see, making Annie's Mac and Cheese doesn't take too much effort, and using almond milk is no different than using cow's milk.
Just follow the instructions on the package and you will be all set.
Best Type of Almond Milk For Annie's Mac and Cheese
Plain unsweetened almond milk is by far the best type that you could use for your Annie's Mac and Cheese. This is because it doesn't add any extra flavor.
If you were to use a flavored or sweetened almond milk for your mac and cheese, it would have a hint of whatever flavor you added.
I don't know about you, but vanilla mac and cheese doesn't really sound too appetizing.
Plain unsweetened almond milk won't overpower the flavor of Annie's Mac and Cheese like others would, and it will bring out that cheesiness that makes Mac and Cheese so good.
Related: What Does Almond Milk Taste Like?
FAQ
What Can I Use Instead of Milk in Annie's Mac and Cheese
Believe it or not, there are a multitude of things you can use instead of milk for your Annie's Mac and Cheese: Shredded cheese, non-dairy milk, pasta water, chicken or veggie stock, and cream cheese are all viable options.
Of course, these will all alter the taste and texture in some way, so choose according to what you think you will like.
Cream cheese and shredded cheese will make the dish taste cheesier and thicker, whereas pasta water would make it a bit thinner.
Chicken or veggie stock would also make it thinner and introduce a new flavor, which could be fun if you are a fan of how stock tastes.
Related: How to Cook With Almond Milk
Can You Use Water Instead of Milk For Annie's Mac and Cheese?
If you are in a pinch, you can use water instead of milk.
The best way to do this is to use the water that you boil your pasta in--not only does it save resources, but it also makes your Mac and Cheese a bit thicker.
Just add a bit of pasta water to your noodles and cheese, then stir. You can keep adding water until it's reached a consistency that you like.
If it comes out too thin, you can try heating it on the stovetop for a little longer. This will make some of the water evaporate and help meld all of the ingredients together, hopefully resulting in a thicker Mac and Cheese.
Can You Use Oat Milk in Annie's Mac and Cheese?
Oat milk is another great non-dairy milk that works well in Annie's Mac and Cheese.
Similar to almond milk, it's important to use a plain and unsweetened version so that you don't have any unwanted flavors in the end result.
That being said, the flavor of the oat milk will be a bit detectable when you add it in, so if you aren't a fan of how it tastes, you might not want to use it for Mac and Cheese.
Related: Is There Milk in Cheese?
Does Annie's Mac and Cheese Need Milk?
Annie's Mac and Cheese doesn't necessarily need milk and different things can be substituted if you are in a pinch.
As mentioned before, cheese, pasta water, cream cheese, or stock are all good things you can use if you don't have access to milk.
Even if you do have access to milk, you might just want to try something different.
These are great options that will add a different flavor and/or texture to your Annie's Mac and Cheese.
This being said, the way Annie's recommends to make your Mac and Cheese is with butter and milk.
This is the way that you will get the most classic Mac and Cheese taste, and using any substitutes will change the outcome.
Final Thoughts
Annie's Mac and Cheese is very versatile, and you can use many things besides regular cow's milk to achieve a delicious meal.
Almond milk is definitely an acceptable substitute for cow's milk, and as long as you use the plain unsweetened kind, it won't add much of a taste.
Hopefully this article has helped you learn more about the different ways that you can prepare Annie's Mac and Cheese, with or without almond milk. Good luck in the kitchen!
