How To Reheat Mac And Cheese – I Test 6 Methods [Pics]

Freshly made mac and cheese is creamy, gooey, and delicious. But the next day, it can be stodgy, dry, and tasteless. So I decided to experiment to find the best way to reheat it and bring back its signature creamy, cheesiness.

I tested out 5 of the most popular ways to reheat my macaroni and cheese (plus one exciting way that might surprise you).

The best way to reheat mac and cheese is the way you cooked it. So if you baked the mac and cheese, reheat it in a 350°F (180°C) oven covered with foil for 20-30 minutes. Remove the foil for the last bit of heating to crisp the top. If you have stovetop mac and cheese, reheat it over a low heat on the stove.

How I tested reheating mac and cheese

One Sunday, I whipped up a huge tray of mac and cheese and set it aside to cool, ready for my experiment the next day.

I then tested out 6 ways to reheat my mac and cheese:

• In the oven: Best option for baked mac and cheese.
• In the microwave: Okay in a rush.
• On the stove: Best option for stovetop mac and cheese.
• In an air fryer: Good for crispy toppings.
• In a skillet: Deliciously different.
• In a waffle maker: Kids will love it!

Reheating mac and cheese in the oven

Time: 20-30 minutes*
Rating: 9/10

*Timings will vary depending on the size of the dish you’re reheating.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Place the mac and cheese in an oven-safe dish and bring it to room temperature if you have time. This reduces the time it needs to spend in the oven.
3. Stir some milk or cream into the pasta. You can skip this step if you have a crunchy topping you want to keep.
4. Cover the tray tightly with foil.
5. Bake the mac and cheese for around 20-30 minutes (less for a single portion).
6. Remove the foil and add extra cheese or any other toppings you want.
7. Bake uncovered until the topping is crisp or the cheese is bubbly and melted (around 5 minutes).

Milk or cream is best for ultimate creaminess, but you can also add some stock or even water if you don’t have any. Feel free to check the macaroni while it’s heating and if it seems dry, add some more liquid.

Results: The oven works perfectly for a previously baked mac and cheese because you can get that creamy bottom layer and crisp top. Just the way we all like it… yum! It works for stovetop mac and cheese too, especially if you have a large portion you just want to bung somewhere and forget about until it’s done.

Reheating mac and cheese in the microwave

Time: 2-3 minutes
Rating: 6/10

1. Place a portion of mac and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Add a tablespoon of milk or cream per cup of mac and cheese.
3. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. You can also use plastic wrap or any microwave-safe lid.
4. Heat on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring the dish during each break.
5. Repeat the process until the mac and cheese heats all the way through (around 2-3 minutes).

If you feel the pasta is still too dry, simply add some more liquid and stir it in.

Using 50% makes the process a bit slower but gives you better control and reduces the risk of overheating the pasta. To add a little crunch, pop the dish under the broiler for 2 minutes before serving.

Results: This method works well enough if you’ve got just one or two portions that you want to reheat quickly. But if you’ve got guests coming over, it’s best to avoid the microwave because it can leave the pasta a bit stodgy.

Reheating mac and cheese on the stove

Time: 5 minutes
Rating: 9/10

1. Put the mac and cheese into a cold pan.
2. Add a tablespoon of milk, cream, water, or stock per cup.
3. Add a little extra butter and cheese for added flavor (optional).
4. Heat the mac and cheese on a low heat, stirring to avoid anything sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.

I know it’s tempting, but don’t try to speed up the process by increasing the heat. A low heat combined with frequent stirring works best to keep the mac and cheese creamy.

Results: The main advantage of the stovetop method was visibility. I could see how my mac and cheese was doing, and it was easy to add more liquid as and when I needed to. 

Overall, I was super happy with the results for my saucy stovetop mac and cheese. But if your mac and cheese is less saucy (as baked mac and cheese tends to be), this method may not be the best option. You’ll also lose any crunchy toppings you had because these will be mixed in.

Reheating mac and cheese in an air fryer

Time: 4-5 minutes
Rating: 7/10

1. Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
2. Take your mac and cheese out of the fridge and slice a portion of cold mac and cheese.
3. Place the portion in the air fryer basket. I like to place it on a bit of foil or parchment paper to avoid any mess.
4. Heat the mac and cheese for 4-5 minutes.

If your mac and cheese isn’t firm enough to hold its shape, try putting it in cupcake molds to make mac and cheese muffins.

Or you can treat the air fryer more like a mini oven. Place the mac and cheese in a heat-proof bowl and add some milk for moisture. Heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Keep the portions you heat in the air fryer relatively small. The outside will heat quickly, and if your slice is too big, the edges can burn before the middle is heated through.

Results: The air fryer works best when you use it in the way it was intended – to give your food some crunch. The edges of my mac and cheese were hard and crunchy, but the inside was still soft. 

Reheating mac and cheese in a skillet

Time: 4-6 minutes
Rating: 8/10

1. Do not remove your mac and cheese from the refrigerator until you’re ready to heat it.
2. Melt some butter in a non-stick or cast-iron skillet on medium heat.
3. Take the mac and cheese straight from the fridge and cut it into 1 or 2 inch thick slices.
4. Fry the slices for 2-3 mins per side.

Note: this method will only work if your mac and cheese can hold its shape when it’s cold. 

Don’t flip the mac and cheese slice too soon. If you don’t leave it frying for long enough, it won’t develop a crunchy crust, and you risk it falling apart when you flip it.

Results: Intuitively, I didn’t think this method would yield good results, but it was delicious. The cheese melted out of the mac and cheese and crisped up in the pan, leaving me with a decadent treat. 

Unfortunately, it does make a bit of a mess in the pan, but I think it’s worth the extra bit of clean-up afterward.

Reheating mac and cheese in a waffle maker

Time: 2-3 minutes
Rating: 8/10

Preheat a waffle maker and when hot, spray it with cooking spray. Place half a cup of mac and cheese in the middle of the griddle and add a sprinkle of cheese. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully remove the mac and cheese from the waffle iron and enjoy!

This is great for when you don’t think you can stomach another mouthful of mac and cheese because it totally transforms the dish!

How to store mac and cheese

Allow the mac and cheese to cool to room temperature by placing it in shallow containers to dissipate the heat. Once cool, place it in an airtight container. Store the mac and cheese in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Eat sooner rather than later because the pasta will become mushy from soaking up the sauce.

Allowing the macaroni and cheese to cool to room temperature before placing it in the airtight container avoids condensation forming on the inside. Any moisture dripping onto the pasta will make it soggy and unappetizing.

Can you freeze mac and cheese?

Mac and cheese freezes very well for up to 3 months. The more saucy your mac and cheese is, the better it will freeze. Mac and cheese tend to dry out in the freezer, so having extra sauce helps counteract this. Another tip is to cook your pasta slightly al dente, so it doesn’t become too mushy. 

How to freeze mac and cheese:

1. Allow the mac and cheese to reach room temperature.
2. Portion out the mac and cheese.
3. Place the portions in an appropriately sized airtight container (it should be filled), or use freezer bags. You can also freeze a whole mac and cheese in its baking dish.
4. Close the airtight container, squeeze all the air out of a freezer bag or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and foil.
5. Label and date the container before leaving it to freeze.
6. Use the mac and cheese within 3 months. 

Top tip: to remove air from a freezer bag, you can use a straw to suck the air out or dip the open freezer bag into a deep container of water, which will help to push the air out the top.

Make sure the pasta is completely cool before you freeze it. 

If it’s still warm, the condensation will turn to ice crystals which will ruin the texture of the pasta.

How to reheat frozen mac and cheese

It is best to thaw mac and cheese overnight in the fridge before you reheat it. Then heat it over a low heat on the stove or heat it in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for approximately 10 minutes. For quicker reheating, microwave it from frozen for 2 minutes on high.

How to reheat Kraft mac and cheese

The stove is the best way to reheat Kraft mac and cheese. Place the mac and cheese in a cold saucepan and stir in a few tablespoons of extra milk. Heat the pan on a low heat stirring frequently until it is heated through. You can also add some extra butter or cheese for flavor. 

Other options include the oven or the microwave.

To use the oven, place the Kraft mac and cheese in a heat-proof dish, mix in some extra milk and cover with foil. Heat the mac and cheese at 350 for around 10 minutes. 

To use the microwave, place the Kraft mac and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl, mix some milk in, and then cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat the mac and cheese in 30-second intervals at 50% power.

Related: Can You Make Kraft Mac And Cheese Without Milk?

Exactly How To Reheat Mac And Cheese

In this short recipe, I show you the best way to revive and reheat your leftover mac and cheese.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 0 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 1 person

Calories 164 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 portion mac and cheese
• 1 portion milk or stock, water, cream, optional
• 1 portion butter optional
• 1 portion cheese optional

Instructions

 

Baked Mac And Cheese

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Place the mac and cheese in an oven-safe dish and bring it to room temperature if you have time. This reduces the time it needs to spend in the oven.
• Stir some milk or cream into the pasta. You can skip this step if you have a crunchy topping you want to keep.
• Cover the tray tightly with foil.
• Bake the mac and cheese for around 10 minutes.
• Remove the foil and add extra cheese or any other toppings you may desire.
• Bake uncovered until the topping is crisp or the cheese is bubbly and melted (around 5 minutes).

Stovetop Mac And Cheese

• Put the mac and cheese into a cold pan.
• Add a tablespoon of milk, cream, water, or stock per cup.
• Add a little extra butter and cheese for added flavor (optional).
• Heat the mac and cheese on a low heat, stirring to avoid anything sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.

Keyword mac and cheese, reheat mac and cheese