So I used Kenji’s mac and cheese recipe, and added Slap Ya Mama cajun seasoning and andouille sausage and it was great but it was a little too salty (but still great).
Exactly what I did:
cover 1lb of pasta with just barely enough water to cover it
add 1 teaspoon of salt to the pasta water
added a little over a can of evaporated milk
added 8oz sharp white cheddar, 8oz provolone, and some parmesan
stirred until melted, added cajun seasoning and andouille sausage, tasting for seasoning and spice
What should I do? Should I not salt the pasta water at all (much like Kenji did in his garlic noodles)? Should I not add parmesan? Should I do both? Is there something else to do instead?
by ScarletMiko
8 Comments
That said though I’d only add less Slap Ya Mama cajun seasoning as a last resort
The seasoning is salty too.
So maybe half the salt next time and see if you need to cut more. Also taste before Parmesan and see if you need to hold back for salt limits?
Slap Yo Mama is pretty salty too so maybe that was why it tasted so salty? I’ve never found this recipe to be particularly salty but I do add chili powder often and I probably like it better on the salty side. Holding the salt and not putting it in the water might help, or adding less.
For the cheese I would cut out the Parmesan, maybe add it on top afterwards if anything? Try using sharp yellow cheddar and Gruyère or something, it might melt a bit better and have more flavor. Pepperjack is also really good. With mac and cheese (especially this one) the vast majority of the flavor is from the cheese so it’s worth splurging on them, and might make it better. Good luck, love this recipe!
In general if any of your food comes out too salty you should add less salt the next time.
Let’s be clear here you added salt to the pasta water to start and then added salty cheese, salty sausage, Cajun seasoning that is mostly salt. Slap ya mama is just salt, black pepper, red pepper, and garlic powder. You could just use the three non-salt ingredients from individual containers and have better control over the ratio.
You may want to check your ratios. It’s supposed to be all equal parts, but most evaporated milk cans are only 12oz. You may just by a little off in your balance.
Either that or the seasoning is just too powerful and/or you’re using too much.
Instead of Slap Yo Mama, I’d just use cayenne and garlic powder, then salt to effect.
I love that recipe but it absolutely destroys me. I can’t even eat one bowl without the worst stomach pain. It’s like the perfect Mac and cheese to me though
I don’t add salt to the pasta water. The salt from the cheese (usually way cheap cheddar cheese) is enough.