The Unexpected Ingredient That Makes Boxed Mac and Cheese Taste Like It’s From a Restaurant

Boxed mac and cheese is a staple in many busy households across the United States, including mine. Even before I became a parent to four kids, I would reach for a box of macaroni and cheese whenever I needed something comforting, fast, and filling. 

Over the years, I’ve tried many, many different brands of boxed mac and cheese, and even written about hacks for cooking it and how to jazz up a box for a heartier meal. But until now, I’ve yet to share my one-ingredient secret for making boxed mac taste like it came straight out of a restaurant.

How To Make the Best Boxed Mac and Cheese

What’s the ingredient I turn to time and time again to make the best mac and cheese, you ask? That ingredient is fish sauce.

Now, for all of you saying, “eww,” hear me out. You know how Caesar dressing and Worcestershire sauce can transform anything from salads, steaks, roasts, and marinades into something amazing? That’s because they contain anchovies. Anchovies are little fish that are often salted and cured, then either canned or made into anchovy paste. They’re also the base of fish sauce, an ingredient commonly associated with Thai and Vietnamese cuisines, though it’s also used all across Southeast Asia.

Why Does Fish Sauce Make Boxed Mac and Cheese Taste So Good?

Whole anchovies, anchovy paste, and fish sauce are all umami boosters. Umami, also known as savoriness, is hard to describe but easy to identify when you taste it (or when it’s missing). Ingredients that contain umami, such as tomato paste, Parmesan cheese, soy sauce, and miso, enhance any dish you make by adding depth and a punchy, savory flavor. If your spaghetti is flat and boring, a sprinkle of Parmesan instantly makes it taste better. Flavorless fried rice? Add more soy sauce. Mac and cheese that needs an extra boost? Look no further than fish sauce, another ingredient with a good dose of umami. 

Don’t believe me? The next time you make a box of mac and cheese, add one teaspoon of fish sauce when you add the cheese powder. Give it a good stir, then add your cooked noodles as usual. The fish sauce doesn’t make the mac and cheese taste fishy. Instead, it amplifies the rich, cheesy flavors, making the dish taste even more delicious.

What To Use Instead of Fish Sauce

If you’re a vegetarian or if you have a shellfish allergy, opt for a vegan fish sauce that’s made with seaweed and dried mushrooms for that umami boost. Or try a teaspoon of tomato paste, miso, or soy sauce. The latter doesn’t taste quite as good as fish sauce, but you’ll be amazed at what a dash of umami can do to an already enjoyable box of mac and cheese.