Can you make monster mac and cheese ahead of time?

Yes. Make pasta and sauce separately. Reheat before serving.

What can I use instead of food coloring?

I’ve blended spinach into the sauce for natural green. Matcha powder also works.

Absolutely. My nieces and nephews call it “slime mac.”

Use whole milk and add a touch of cream or extra butter before serving.

Gooey, green, and ready for Halloween. I first made this before trick-or-treating, and the kids went wild for the “monster eyes.”

Scale

12 oz elbow macaroni

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar

1 cup shredded mozzarella

2 cups whole milk

4 tbsp unsalted butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Green gel food coloring

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Candy eyes or sliced black olives

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1. Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain.

2. Melt butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes.

3. Slowly whisk in milk and simmer until thick, about 5 minutes.

4. Reduce heat. Stir in cheeses until smooth and creamy.

5. Add green coloring until it reaches the monster shade you want.

6. Season to taste. Toss pasta in sauce.

7. Serve in bowls or cauldrons. Add candy eyes or olive slices.

Make ahead by preparing pasta and sauce separately, then combining before serving.

For natural coloring, blend spinach into warm milk and stir into sauce.

Gluten-free? Use GF pasta and flour blend.