Normally, people use ketchup as a condiment to go with foods like hot dogs and hamburgers, but many people have been adding ketchup to more unlikely dishes, including mac and cheese.
If you have seen someone putting ketchup on mac and cheese, you may be wondering why they do that. I did the research, and here is what I learned!
Ketchup On Mac And Cheese?
Ketchup is an unusual ingredient to find in mac and cheese, but some mac and cheese recipes have been incorporating ketchup to take advantage of ketchup’s flavors. Moreover, some people add ketchup to already-made mac and cheese because they simply like the way ketchup tastes. Additionally, ketchup can add flavor and moisture if you have dry and bland mac and cheese.
Are you curious to learn why people put ketchup in mac and cheese, if it is weird to add ketchup to mac and cheese, and if ketchup with mac and cheese is good? Keep reading!
What Ingredients Are In Mac And Cheese?
Mac and cheese have a variation of ingredients since there are many recipes for mac and cheese available.
Typically, the main ingredients in mac and cheese are:
- Macaroni
- Various cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, etc.)
- Milk
- Butter
Is Ketchup A Common Ingredient For Mac And Cheese?
Technically, ketchup is not a common ingredient for mac and cheese since ketchup is not usually necessary for mac and cheese.
For instance, mac and cheese dishes are usually yellow to orange because of the cheese, so adding ketchup for a burst of color is unnecessary.
Why Do People Put Ketchup On Mac And Cheese?
Generally, the main reason people put ketchup on mac and cheese is that they like the taste of ketchup.
Most mac and cheese recipes do not call for tomatoes, but many people like the taste of tomatoes, so a splash of ketchup can add a tomatoey taste to mac and cheese.
Moreover, some people think that ketchup is a welcome addition to mac and cheese if you want more flavor in your mac and cheese.
For instance, ketchup is normally sweet, sour, and tangy whereas mac and cheese taste like cheese, and the exact flavors of mac and cheese will depend on the types of cheese that were used.
If you made a mac and cheese with mild cheese, the overall flavor of the mac and cheese may be fairly bland.
Some people add some ketchup to the mac and cheese to add tangy, salty, and sour notes to the mac and cheese.
Additionally, ketchup could enhance a rather sharp-tasting mac and cheese since ketchup’s sweetness can balance out the sharp cheeses.
Is It Weird That I Put Ketchup On Mac And Cheese?
It may be weird to some people if you put ketchup on mac and cheese since mac and cheese does not usually call for condiments.
Typically, most pasta recipes, including mac and cheese, do not need an added condiment, and many people frown upon adding condiments like ketchup to pasta.
Therefore, people may find it unusual if you decide to dollop ketchup over your mac and cheese, but that does not mean you are the only one doing it.
Many people like to add ketchup to their mac and cheese, especially if they think that their mac and cheese is bland.
Moreover, many recipes incorporate ketchup into mac and cheese now to take advantage of ketchup’s flavors.
Additionally, some people believe that mac and cheese can get a bit dry, especially around the edges. So, people add some ketchup to the drier parts of their mac and cheese for added moisture.
Why Do People Hate Ketchup With Mac And Cheese?
Most people dislike ketchup with mac and cheese since ketchup is often seen as an unnecessary ingredient for mac and cheese.
Moreover, some people simply dislike the taste of ketchup, so adding ketchup to mac and cheese would be distasteful for them.
Is Ketchup On Mac And Cheese Good?
Ketchup on mac and cheese can be good if you want to add some complex flavors to your mac and cheese.
For instance, mac and cheese will typically taste somewhat savory yet mild depending on the types of cheeses used.
If you want to make your mild mac and cheese sweet, savory, and tangy, a dollop of ketchup can make a big difference.
Another way ketchup can be good on mac and cheese is because ketchup is acidic, which can cut through how rich mac and cheese tastes.
However, ketchup may not be a great addition to very flavorful mac and cheeses since the ketchup could overpower the flavors of the mac and cheese.
Although you can add a small amount of ketchup to strong-tasting mac and cheese if you want a bit of ketchup in your dish without masking the mac and cheese’s taste.
Is It Better To Put Mustard Or Ketchup In Mac And Cheese?
Technically, mustard is better to add to mac and cheese than ketchup, and more recipes for mac and cheese will call for mustard instead of ketchup.
For instance, mustard and ketchup both have some acidity that can pleasantly cut through the cheese’s richness.
However, mustard is usually yellow, which makes mustard blend seamlessly into mac and cheese.
On the other hand, ketchup’s red color can make ketchup stand out in mac and cheese unless you add a small amount of ketchup.
Additionally, you can use either mustard or ketchup for mac and cheese if you only want a bit of tang in your mac and cheese since both condiments have tangy flavors.
Take a look at our related articles to learn about ketchup on cheesesteak, ketchup brands, and if ketchup has vinegar.
Conclusion
While ketchup is often used as a condiment for many foods, mac and cheese is not a common dish to pair with ketchup.
However, some people do like to add ketchup to mac and cheese and there are mac and cheese recipes that specifically call for ketchup.
Moreover, adding ketchup to your mac and cheese can be a great idea if you have a particularly dry and tasteless mac and cheese.