How To Take Boxed Cornbread Mix From Bland To Gourmet With One Ingredient

Boxed cornbread mix is perfect when you don't have time to whip up a fancy recipe (or when you've made some common mistakes while trying to master cornbread and don't feel like diving back in ... yet). The thing is, pre-made cornbread is known for being a little bland. That's why the Internet is full of ways to elevate the boxed stuff. You can find suggestions ranging from adding sun-dried tomatoes for a flavor boost, to bulking it up with black beans, to a not-so-common creamy hack that upgrades boxed cornbread in seconds. But there's another ingredient you can add to make it taste gourmet: cheese.

Adding shredded cheese to boxed cornbread is one of the easiest upgrades because you don't have to mess with any of the measurements on the package. Simply add about ½ cup to one cup of cheese directly into the batter, fold it in, and you're good to proceed and bake as directed. You'll now have a gorgeously cheesy side dish that's perfect to serve alongside a steaming bowl of cozy chili, as part of a fun weekend brunch spread, or even with a glass of milk — Southern snack style.

When it comes to choosing which cheese to add to boxed cornbread, that depends on the flavors you're aiming for. For example, grated mozzarella is the perfect option if you want to add a bit of gooey texture, but don't really want to mess with the flavor of the cornbread. On the other hand, sharp cheddar cheese is ideal for a classic American Southern-style batch. If you're looking for a Southwest flair, pepper jack cheese will do the trick. Think about what mains you'll be serving the cornbread with to help guide you on your very important cheese selection journey.

Keep in mind that if you're opting for a stronger cheese, like bleu cheese or provolone, you may want to add only about ½ cup so that you don't overpower the bread. A milder cheese, like mozzarella or mild cheddar, can go up to one cup. Regardless of your choice, there are no mistakes when it comes to adding cheese to your cornbread — only happy accidents.

Another thing to consider is grating your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded cheese from a package. This is because pre-shredded cheese is usually made with an anti-clumping agent, like cellulose, which can affect both the flavor and how evenly the cheese melts. Shredding your own cheese eliminates these issues.