Are you having hard time to reheat macaroni and cheese to prevent it from drying out every time? There are several methods in which you can use to reheat leftover mac and cheese, but the microwave is the quickest and easiest.
Simply reheat mac and cheese in a microwave without altering its creamy goodness or drying out the pasta can be a challenging task. Following a few slight precautions, reheating mac and cheese in a microwave is a breeze.
How do you reheat mac and cheese in a microwave? Place leftover mac and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl, add two tablespoon of milk per serving to prevent from drying out and cover loosely with a lid.
Microwave the bowl on medium power for 30 second increments with frequent stirring to avoid having uneven heat pockets. A single serving should take between 1 to 2 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit so the perishable food is considered safe to eat.
Garnish with toppings like crispy bacon bits, tuna or red pepper flakes and enjoy.
Microwaving is the fastest and easiest method for reheating a small amount of macaroni and cheese compared to using the oven and the stove. However, when doing the microwaving method, some hacks will save you from inconveniences, for instance covering the bowl and using a ceramic or glass bowl.
After reheating the macaroni and cheese, it is advisable not to reheat again as the creamy appearance may be separate; refreezing is also not advisable as it may lead to the growth of microorganisms which may affect your digestion.
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about reheating mac and cheese in a microwave. Answered below are frequently asked questions about microwaving mac and cheese, along with things that you should watch out for.
Can you reheat mac and cheese in microwave?
Yes,you can reheat mac and cheese in a microwave. Microwaving is the quickest and easiest method to reheat mac and cheese, however it will depend on the amount and the wattage of the microwave.
Large amounts of mac and cheese are not suitable to heat in the microwave, therefore the best way is to split them into reasonable portions and then reheat each portion one after the other.
Is it safe to reheat mac and cheese in the microwave?
Yes, it is 100% safe to reheat mac and cheese in the microwave. It is considered to be a perishable food, therefore it must be reheated to an internal temperature of 74℃ or 165℉ before serving.
It is wise to cover mac and cheese using a slightly wet paper towel to retain the creamy structure and the moisture of the cheese and noodles to avoid a rubbery texture and appearance.
In addition, short microwaving intervals and frequent stirring will keep the consistency of the sauce, prevent it from drying out to quickly and distribute the heat more evenly
The amount of mac or cheese being reheated is another concern to prove the safety of the microwaving process of reheating. Large amounts may be harder to fully reheat.
Therefore, it is necessary to slice into smaller chunks that will fit in the microwaveable dish so the heat is distributed more evenly.
How long would you reheat mac and cheese in microwave?
It will take between 1 to 2 minutes to reheat a single serving of mac and cheese in a microwave. Ultimately, the amount of mac and cheese and the microwave wattage will determine the time it takes to reheat in a microwave.
A 700 watt microwave would take more time compared to a 1300 watt microwave. A large chunk of mac and cheese would take a longer time to reheat unless it was subdivided into small portions.
Tips for reheating mac and cheese in a microwave
When microwaving mac and cheese to reheat for perfect temperature without drying it out, there are several requirements to follow that will ease the temperature transition.
Here are useful microwave tips to reheat mac and cheese that results in a silky, cheesy, and delicious meal prep:
- Use ceramic, glass or microwave safe container instead of using reactive materials like metallic bowls.
- Adequately cover with a wetted paper towel or microwave safe plastic wrap.
- Frequent stirring while microwaving helps to maintain the moisture and creamy consistency of the pasta and cheese sauce.
- Add two or three tablespoons of milk per serving to help maintain the creamy appearance of the melted cheese and also prevent it from drying. The amount of milk depends on the consistency of the leftovers being reheated.
- Leave a vent for the steam to escape to avoid the dish from being soggy or watery.
- Slice the mac and cheese if it’s a significant chunk to distribute heat to the small pieces since the surface area has been maximized.
- Check the mac and cheese every 30 seconds while nuking. This will will allow you to stir and turn different sides so that all areas can be adequately heated.
Best Way to Reheat Mac and Cheese in Microwave
Reviving leftover mac and cheese requires technique to ensure that the taste and creamy consistency remain intact.
Place a serving or two of macaroni and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and add one to three tablespoons of milk to prevent it from drying up and becoming rubbery.
If the leftover cheese is a huge chunk, then cut it into smaller pieces to speed up the reheating process by providing more surface area that helps to evenly distribute the heat.
Cover the dish, preferably using a damp paper towel, microwave cover or plastic wrap with a vent to escape the steam.
Start microwaving for 30 seconds on medium power, then stir and continue with short intervals. Check the progress of the reheating from time to time to ensure that all the parts are well heated.
After a span of 1 minute, stir and check the temperature. If the internal temperature has reached 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit, then it is safe and ready to eat.
Depend on the amount and wattage of microwave, it may take shorter or longer to completely reheat. If necessary, continue microwaving for 30 to 60 seconds more and stir in between.
Garnish with your favorite toppings and mix-ins, then serve and enjoy.
Reheating Macaroni and Cheese in Microwave: Conclusion
Microwave reheating mac and cheese is the quickest and easiest method, especially for warming one or two servings at a time. It can be challenging to reheat leftovers in the microwave without getting separated, dried out, or turning into an oily mess, but we have provided microwave tips to reduce the concerns.
Transfer the desired amount of mac and cheese into microwave safe bowl and add a splash of milk to prevent drying of the macaroni and cheese. Per serving, pour 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk or milk alternative of your choice.
Cover with a damp of paper towel, microwavable lid or plastic wrap with holes to ensure the steam can vent out easily.
It takes approximately 2 minutes with a 700 watt microwave, and 1 minute in a high output microwave with 1300 watts.
Large pieces can be reheated when cut into smaller chunks so that each area can be evenly heated.
Stir in-between each 30 second interval to distribute the heat and also avoid from drying it out. Add additional time and stir until it reaches the desired temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit for the perishable food to be considered safe to eat.
Afterwards, add your favorite toppings to complete the meal prep and enjoy silky, cheesy, and finger-licking mac and cheese to fulfill your hungry belly.
Microwave reheating mac and cheese is quite easy, but the above precautions must be followed otherwise you will end up with a separated sauce, oily noodles or dried out top layer.