Backcountry Comfort Food - Macaroni and Cheese

       

I really like the comfort food quality that macaroni and cheese can provide on a tough trip. There are a few ways you can make mac and chesse in the backcountry and some tips that I have found useful Here is my Compilation of Mac n' Cheese Options for your upcoming trips...

Freeze Dried - You can find freeze dried options from all of these companies

RichMoor

Mountain House

Backpackers Pantry

Alpine Aire

Boxed Store Bought 


Classic Kraft - By just using water this box has a liquidy consistency, adding powdered milk helps out here alot, and if you have powdered butter too that's even better.


Kraft Deluxe - No Butter or milk needed, but the ready cheese pouch brings this in as the heavy weight for packing purposes

Kraft Deluxe Bistro - These are just like Kraft Deluxe with the ready cheese pouch, but have several cool flavors like sundried tomato parmesan, and creamy mushroom

Pasta Roni - Try shells and white cheddar - it is one of my favorite tasting boxes (needs powdered milk and oil/butter for best results)

DIY Options

Prepare a store bought pasta of your liking then add enough powdered cheese to make the pasta cheesy enough for your tastes

Make your own cheese sauce in this Great Recipe from Backpacker - Alpine Mac & Cheese

When I want to Spice up plain Mac n' Cheese here's what I like to do:

Ingredients

Your favorite type of Mac

Chicken Pouch

Teaspoon Dried Onion Flakes

Pinch Garlic Powder


Pinch Red Pepper Flakes

1/2 cup of some type of Dehydrated Veggie - Peas, Carrots, sundried tomatoes....

Method

Combine spices, Veggies and Pasta at home in a Ziplock bag. At Camp Prepare the mac n cheese with the spices and veggies. A few minutes before the mac is done add the chicken pouch to the pot. 

Other Recipes to check out

Backpacking Chef's Mac Recipes

Trail Cooking - Lazy Hiker Mac N' Cheese

One Pan Wonders - GoBlue Fredo (scroll down on page)