If there’s one person we can probably all agree has the “Midas touch,” it’s Rihanna. From her music and business ventures to her fashion choices, everything she does is a complete success. While we can definitely spend plenty of time discussing her many known successes, the entrepreneur and new mom of two seems to be making her rounds on the internet recently for another reason: her nearly decade-old recipe for macaroni and cheese.
Originally shared with Esquire in 2014, the recipe gained traction again on social media a few years back and since then, has had fans trying their hands at making this unique version of the classic dish. And since I love a good mac and cheese, I—just like her fans—took to the kitchen to give this recipe a try. Would I be able to find love in this hopeless place of celebrity recipes? I was willing to put in the work to find out.
Get the recipe: Rihanna’s Mac & Cheese
Courtesy of Choya Johnson
Ingredients for Rihanna’s Mac & Cheese
This recipe has the basics of many macaroni and cheese recipes, but also includes a few standout ingredients. To make the starlet’s version, you’ll need the following items: elbow macaroni noodles, a white onion, red bell pepper, green onions, yellow mustard, ketchup, Eaton’s Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce, Colby Jack cheese and water.
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How to Make Rihanna’s Mac & Cheese
Start by boiling your noodles according to the package directions, then drain the noodles, reserving about a quarter cup of water. Place the noodles back in the pot and return to the stove over a low flame.
Next, stir in the onions, bell pepper and half the green onions, then add the mustard, ketchup and pepper sauce. Finally, add the cheese, stirring continuously. Top with the remaining green onions and serve hot.
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Courtesy of Choya Johnson
What I Thought of Rihanna’s Mac & Cheese
This recipe was something new and different for me. As someone who enjoys a classic mac and cheese, this recipe was very unique. The ingredients were minimal for the most part and the process of making it was very straightforward and simple—just like any traditional macaroni and cheese recipe.
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While this was a different take on the classic dish, I don’t know if I would make it like this again. The inclusion of ketchup, mustard, and the pepper sauce gave it both a sweet and spicy taste that I’m not totally used to when it comes to mac and cheese. And while the taste wasn’t bad, I don’t think it would be something I would run to fill my plate up with at this year’s Thanksgiving dinner.
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In my family, macaroni and cheese is an important dish at any gathering, and if I showed up with this version of it, I don’t think I’d be given the chance to make it again. While I’m sure this is a great dish for those who are interested in shaking up their mac and cheese recipes, I would have to say it wasn’t for me.
Related: Copycat Cracker Barrel Restaurant Mac and Cheese
Courtesy of Choya Johnson
Tips for Making Rihanna’s Mac & Cheese
- Place it in the broiler. I like my mac and cheese to have a crispy top, so I’d suggest transferring the mac and cheese to a baking dish and broiling it for a few minutes to brown the top.
- Use the cheese you prefer. While Rihana opts for Colby Jack, you can use the cheese you prefer to give it a personal touch.
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