A Smarter Protein Mac and Cheese with Bone Broth
Boxed mac and cheese, but smarter. By swapping the milk or water in the cheese-mixing step with bone broth, you add richness, depth, and a quiet savory boost in one easy move. Because our broth is unseasoned, it blends seamlessly into the cheese sauce without overpowering it—just creamy, comforting mac with a little more going on.
From there, keep it classic or dress it up. Broccoli adds brightness, turkey bacon brings smoky crunch, and chili crisp delivers heat. It’s fast, filling, and a touch more nourishing than the mac you grew up with.
Makes 1–2 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 box mac & cheese
- ¼ cup Reclamation Korean-Style Pork Bone Broth (or Beef Bone Broth)
Optional Toppings
- ½ head broccoli, chopped and steamed
- 3 slices turkey bacon, cooked and chopped
- Chili crisp
Method
- Cook the boxed mac & cheese according to package instructions, stopping once the noodles are fully cooked. If the instructions say “do not drain” (such as Easy Mac), see Cooking Notes below.
- When it’s time to mix in the cheese, replace the milk or water called for with the same amount of bone broth.
- Stir in the cheese packet until creamy and smooth.
- Fold in steamed broccoli and turkey bacon, if using.
- Finish with a drizzle of chili crisp for heat.
Cooking Notes
If using an instant-style mac where the noodles are not drained, replace the cooking water entirely with bone broth. Instead of leftover water, you’ll have concentrated broth that blends directly into the cheese packet for extra depth.
Serving Notes
- Sub in frozen peas or spinach if you don’t have broccoli.
- Swap turkey bacon for pancetta, regular bacon, or crispy chickpeas.
- Add an over-easy or fried egg on top for extra richness.
- Finish with toasted breadcrumbs or crushed chips if you want extra crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does bone broth change the flavor of mac and cheese?
Not dramatically. Because the broth is unseasoned, it blends into the cheese sauce without overpowering it. It simply adds richness and a subtle savory depth.
Can I taste the bone broth?
You won’t taste it as “broth.” It enhances the overall creaminess and body of the sauce rather than standing out as a separate flavor.
Can I use beef or pork bone broth?
Yes. Both work well. Pork bone broth adds slightly deeper richness, while beef bone broth keeps the flavor classic and balanced.
Can I use this method with any boxed mac and cheese?
Yes. Just replace the milk or water in the cheese-mixing step with the same amount of bone broth. For instant-style mac that is not drained, cook the noodles directly in bone broth instead of water.
Does this add protein?
Bone broth naturally contains protein from collagen. Swapping it in is a simple way to add more substance to a comfort-food staple.
Can I make this dairy-free?
You can use a dairy-free boxed mac and cheese and follow the same broth swap method. The bone broth replaces the liquid component in the sauce.
What are the best mix-ins?
Steamed broccoli adds brightness, turkey bacon brings smoky crunch, and chili crisp adds heat. You can also try frozen peas, spinach, pancetta, crispy chickpeas, or even a fried egg on top.
