I Heart Mac and Cheese: The Brand Selling Cheesy Delights

I Heart Mac and Cheese is a reputed brand specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese. However, one of the best parts about choosing this brand is the vast range of customizable menu options.

The menu takes this traditional childhood food and transforms it with the help of award-winning recipes. Along with several kinds of proteins, including bacon, crispy chicken, ground beef, meatballs, pulled pork, short ribs, sliced cheeses, and veggies, diners can select from a choice of pasta or bread, including gluten-free options.

If you check out the I Heart Mac And Cheese menu, there are several signature dishes. Here is a list of the bestselling ones:

• The Best of Both Worlds- This is the one for you if you are craving slow-cooked pork ribs. Besides the incredible caramelization using BBQ sauce, it also features American and Cheddar cheese.
• The Cuban- It is a typical baked version of the classic mac and cheese dish. It includes the goodness of pulled pork with mojo marination and dill pickles. Moreover, they use rich Gruyere cheese and ham in it.
• White Truffle & Lobster- This dish features delicious Maine lobsters for their intense flavor. The concoction of white truffle oil, scallions, lobster cream, and Muenster cheese makes the dish even better.

The good news for vegans is that I Heart Mac and Cheese also offers a fine “NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS” menu. Moreover, you will get all the items in several outlets across the country. Finally, you must note that the brand has multiple franchises in various locations, and food quality is supervised well everywhere.

What is the history of I Heart Mac And Cheese?

The history behind creating this incredible brand, I Heart Mac And Cheese, is relatively simple. Giordanella, a businessman who once ran the now-defunct Cabo Flats chain, and Michael Blum, a Miami chef who developed the macaroni and cheese concept, founded the company. According to Giordanella, the idea behind the brand was to make delicious food approachable for every ordinary person.

Customers can purchase macaroni and cheese that they can top with other ingredients. Moreover, you can also substitute broccoli, cauliflower, quinoa, or tater tots for pasta as their base when using the modern approach. Customers can also get their hands on the excellent Grilled cheese sandwiches from an I Heart Mac And Cheese near me.

Interesting facts about Mac and Cheese

Origin of the dish

Although the exact origin of Mac N’ Cheese is unknown, some people think the first known recipe dates back to the 13th century, and the discovery took place in southern Italy. It includes lasagna sheets made of fermented dough that was chopped into smaller pieces, boiled, and combined with grated cheese.

Both adults and kids are addicted to it

Both list macaroni and cheese as one of their favorite foods when surveyed about it.

Choose the proper pasta

Elbow macaroni and shell pasta are favorites among purists for a good reason. They contain just the perfect size for all the cheese to adhere to. On the other hand, linguine, which has long, thin strands, is better suited to sauces like tomato and Alfredo since it cannot handle the amount of cheese thrown at it.

Affordability

Due to its affordability, macaroni and cheese rose in popularity during the Great Depression’s final years. So when Kraft Foods introduced it in 1937, it was marketed as “the housewife’s best friend, a hearty one pot dinner,” and they sold 8 million boxes. Then, during World War II, the food’s appeal multiplied again.

Cheesier the better

The macaroni and cheese with multiple types of cheese are the greatest. You can get the best of both worlds by blending cheeses that melt quickly with others that have a distinctive, rich flavor. Pasta Pantry chooses four premium kinds of cheese—Asiago, Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano, and Ricotta—to give you an excellent platter of cheesy pleasure with a hefty dose of heavy cream.

Perfect texture

Baked macaroni and cheese would fall short of perfection without copious amounts of bread crumbs. However, they offer a texture that goes well with the creamy, silky noodles. To create a delicious baked mac meal at home, try topping it with a mixture of breadcrumbs and thyme.

Easier methods

You want to make mac but don’t want to use the entire pot. No issue. For an easy-to-clean macaroni fix, combine your favorite kind of noodles, milk, seasonings, and shredded cheese in a mug.

I Heart Mac And Cheese uses healthier alternatives too

Few things are more satisfying than diving into a bowl of macaroni and cheese when you’re in the mood for a warm, comforting meal after a challenging day or experiencing the winter blues. Mac & cheese has always been the quintessential carb-heavy comfort dish, but it is also a guilty pleasure.

Even though some cheeses may be heavy in sodium and saturated fat, most are also excellent sources of calcium and protein. Additionally, several studies have revealed that cheese consumption may have additional advantages.

The cheese was the most significantly linked to a lower risk of aging-related cognitive issues. In addition, a meta-analysis of 18 studies, published in September 2021 in the journal PLoS Medicine, reveals the startling finding that consumption of dairy fat, such as the kind found in cheese, was related to a modestly decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.

How about the macaroni? Well, You may add extra fiber to your diet by substituting whole-grain pasta for refined white pasta, and there are many other options available right now. But that’s only the start. It is possible to make mac & cheese a more nutrient-dense, well-rounded meal without compromising flavor.

The pasta, sauce, and add-ins can all be improved to contain more fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals while containing less sodium and saturated fat. The trick is finding simple ways to increase the dish’s nutritional value while preserving or enhancing all of its beloved flavors. Make this a healthier, more satisfying supper by using the following straightforward adjustments and additions.

Here are a few healthier versions that you can also expect out of the menu when you are visiting an I Heart Mac And Cheese Parma outlet:

Consider Alternatives

You should avoid packaged goods with ultra-processed cheese powder, sauce, and refined grains. The concoction of refined ingredients that go into these packaged items won’t leave you with much nutrition on your plate, even though boxed mac and cheese requires very little culinary knowledge or brainpower.

According to experts, making your mac and cheese gives you control over the ingredients used. They claim that as a result, you will have a meal that is both more nutrient-dense and balanced.

You can ask for the recipe at an I Heart Mac And Cheese Parma Ohio outlet. They will tell you about the healthier ingredients. After that, you can create a savory and nourishing homemade mac & cheese using the same in under 30 minutes.

Make Alt-Noodles and your go-to source

Are you looking for a meal that will keep you feeling fuller longer? Next, when you yearn for mac and cheese, start cooking a pot of grain-free elbow or shell pasta prepared from legumes like chickpeas or lentils.

Approximately 7 grams (g) of protein and 2 grams (g) of fiber are included in a 2-ounce (oz) serving of regular wheat pasta, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Still, legume-based noodles pack up to 13 g of protein and 6 g of fiber into the same quantity.

Legume-based pasta might be a simple approach to help you meet your daily fiber requirements. Since the textures and flavors of these gluten-free pasta varieties have substantially improved, as long as you follow the cooking instructions on the package, no one will know that you made this covert switch.

Whole grain pasta

Use pasta prepared with 100% whole grains, such as whole-wheat flour, to increase the nutritional value of your mac and cheese (or any pasta meal, for that matter). In contrast, the bran and germ are removed from macaroni prepared from refined white flour, leaving the starchy endosperm behind.

Therefore, switching daily portions of refined grains to whole grains can lower triglyceride and blood triglyceride levels, total and LDL cholesterol, and other health risk factors. You can ease into this by making half whole-grain and half-conventional pasta if your taste buds are not yet ready to embrace whole grains completely.

Sauce alternative

Unquestionably, a significant factor in why mac and cheese are so delicious and soothing is that you can substitute yogurt for some of the cheese. Additionally, according to Andrews, it may be a way to eat more protein, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12.

However, since it contains saturated fat, you should exercise caution when using it. You should be aware that healthy versions of mac & cheese can taste just as rich, creamy, and “cheesy” as the traditional dish. How?

Start with stronger-flavored cheeses like aged sharp cheddar and Gruyère so you can use smaller amounts without feeling like you are sacrificing flavor. So, no Velveeta, please. The finished meal’s umami flavor will intensify by adding a tiny amount of grated Parmesan.

Try replacing cheese with Greek yogurt as well. You’ll reduce the number of calories from fat while also giving your pasta dish slightly acidity. According to estimations from the USDA, a 1-cup serving of plain 2 percent Greek yogurt has roughly 179 calories and 3 g of saturated fat.

Unlike the same quantity of grated cheddar cheese, it’s 461 calories and 22 g of saturated fat. Additionally, some probiotics that are good for the intestines are a benefit. If your recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of shredded cheese, you may make it lighter by substituting 1 1/2 cups of cheese and 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt that is fat-free or has a 2 percent fat content.

Attempt milk substitutes

Whole milk or cream is the common choice for the sauce’s distinctively silky finish. But don’t be scared to try substituting dairy-free alternatives like cashew or almond milk.

They frequently include less protein than dairy milk but contain much fewer calories and fat. According to the USDA, a cup of whole milk contains 149 calories and 8 g of fat, while a cup of almond milk contains 39 calories and 2.5 g of fat.

While the sauce will still be creamy, it will now have a pleasant, slightly nutty flavor. Additionally, most products today have calcium and vitamin D added to them. Use simple varieties that are unsweetened only.

Make your dish more colorful using veggies

The color of mac and cheese shouldn’t be so dull. The numerous types of bright vegetables go incredibly well with the cheesy noodles. You can add your favorite vegetables to a bowl of delicious macaroni and cheese. It can be one of the easiest ways to consume some high-nutrition food too.

Use this step when cooking mac and cheese. Therefore, You’ll increase the amount of fiber, minerals, and vitamins in the otherwise unhealthy dish. You must note that our bodies require all these nutrients. Consuming these will keep you at bay from chronic health issues.

Add asparagus, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, chopped carrots, and frozen peas. You can also add roasted red pepper, sautéed mushrooms, and shredded Brussels sprouts.

Some steaming broccoli can also boost the nutrients with minimal effort. Additionally, you can roast fresh vegetables to add later to your mac and cheese. You can expect such dishes more quickly if you visit an I Heart Mac And Cheese Austin outlet.

Final thoughts

When it comes to this addictive dish, all we want is a variation that is innovative yet equally comforting. Now, there is a growing health concern everywhere. Therefore, people don’t want to miss out on a bowl of goodness and don’t want to regret it. That is why I Heart Mac And Cheese has an extensive menu full of healthier and vegan versions of the dish. Apart from Mac and Cheese, they also sell a variety of grilled sandwiches, wraps, and more. Try out all of it yourself to know why the brand is one of the bestselling ones in the country.