19 Excellent Evaporated Milk Recipes

Evaporated milk is milk reduced for a more intense milky flavor. You can also keep this deliciously convenient ingredient on the shelf without worrying if it will spoil. Creamy and thick, many evaporated milk recipes benefit from this rich ingredient. Here are my favorites!

Evaporated Milk Recipes

Content…

FAQs
Savory Evaporated Milk Recipes
1. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
2. Green Bean Casserole From Scratch
3. Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
4. Cheesy Potatoes au Gratin
5. Cream of Mushroom Soup
6. Tuna Noodle Casserole
7. Trinidad Macaroni Pie
Sweet Evaporated Milk Recipes
8. Arroz con Leche
9. Caramel Cake
10. Chocoflan
11. Carrot Souffle
12. Tres Leches Cake
13. German Chocolate Cake
14. Chocolate Chess Pie
15. Flan Recipe
16. Homemade Eggnog
17. New Orleans Beignet
18. Cuatro Leches Cake
19. Malva Pudding Chocolate

Evaporated milk became popular in the ’20s and ’30s because it’s affordable and has a long shelf life. Evaporation removes up to 60% of the water from milk to make this beauty, so it’s everything you love about milk, just much more intense. Recipes using evaporated milk recipes are easy, and they can be sweet or savory. The sky’s the limit for this versatile milk. Oh, and you can also make your own evaporated milk.

FAQs

What’s the difference between condensed milk and evaporated milk?


While they are both concentrated milk, condensed milk is sweet, and evaporated milk isn’t. So if you want to avoid sugar, go for evaporated milk.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk?


Substituting condensed milk with evaporated milk is easy. You just sweeten 4 ounces of evaporated milk with ½ cup of sugar. The result won’t be as smooth caramelly, though.

Can I use regular milk for evaporated milk?


Although you can totally use regular milk instead of evaporated milk, the result will be runnier, diluting the flavor. It’s never advisable to substitute evaporated milk with regular milk unless the recipe calls for minimal amounts.

Savory Evaporated Milk Recipes

1. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese with evaporated milk

If you’ve never added evaporated milk to your mac and cheese, you’ve been missing out. Creamy and thick, the milk gives body and moisture to the comforting, classic pasta. And although any mac and cheese benefits from a splash of evaporated milk, it’s terrific in this southern casserole. You’ll love sharp cheddar and jack cheese for this one; the cheesier, the better. And evaporated milk brings it all home. 

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese is super creamy, cheesy, soulful baked mac and cheese filled with great Southern flavors topped with crispy bread crumb. You will never break open a box again!
Check out this recipe
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese with evaporated milk

2. Green Bean Casserole From Scratch

Green Bean Casserole From Scratch

Casseroles are great for family get-togethers. They also let you improvise a little, just throw a bunch of tasty things into a baking tray and watch them become dinner. Oh yeah! In this case, green beans, bacon, onion, garlic, mushrooms, and lots of cheese. And don’t forget the evaporated milk; it will give the casserole a creamy mouthfeel. This evaporated milk recipe makes the most out of stuff you already have in the fridge, including veggies, meat, and cheese!

Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole is a classic holiday side dish staple. Made from scratch with homemade cream of mushroom soup and tender-crisp green beans topped with more crispy fried onions. Watch it fly off the table!
Check out this recipe
Green Bean Casserole From Scratch

3. Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

Let’s talk about soup because evaporated milk is perfect for thickening all kinds of them. I rely on the evaporated milk’s thickness for my homemade cream of chicken soup to give the soup body and a richer texture. I love adding peas to this soup, but carrots and potatoes are fantastic if you have them around. The Creole seasoning makes it an extra comfy soup!

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup – rich, creamy, thick and completely made from scratch soup. This cream of chicken soup starts with a roux and doesn't require cream to bring out all those wonderful flavors. Cozy, comforting, homemade soup that you will make over and over again!
Check out this recipe
Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

4. Cheesy Potatoes au Gratin

Cheesy Potatoes au Gratin in a scoop

These cheesy potatoes are so insanely delicious they’ll steal the spotlight at the table. The perfect side dish for anything, from steak to chicken, there’s nothing potatoes au gratin can’t do. So, what’s the secret? Evaporated milk, of course, and a ton of cheese. Slice those potatoes thinly and let the butter, heavy cream, whole milk, and evaporated milk do their work. The cheese, of course, plays a critical role!

Potatoes Au Gratin
Delicately sliced potatoes smothered in a decadent creamy, cheesy sauce with a delectable jolt from nutmeg and thyme, then topped with more cheese. This ultimate potato side dish of all time goes well with just about anything. Utterly delicious and super comforting!
Check out this recipe
Cheesy Potatoes au Gratin in a scoop

5. Cream of Mushroom Soup

cream of mushroom soup

Never buy cream of mushroom from a can again because you can make it even better! This recipe is one of my favorites for evaporated milk, and it will indeed become one of yours. It’s perfect for weeknights and special occasions. And it’s so easy that it is definitely a lifesaver. It all starts with olive oil and cremini. Then lots of butter, onion, and garlic add flavor to the base of cream, evaporated milk, and chicken stock. Garnish this one with chopped parsley! Oh yeah!

Cream of Mushroom Soup
Cream of Mushroom Soup – creamy, elegant cream of mushroom soup made from scratch loaded with a pound of mushrooms and layers of flavors. You’ll be shock how easy it is to make!
Check out this recipe
cream of mushroom soup

6. Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Here’s another handy recipe to use all those cans in your pantry. Let’s make tuna casserole, a classic comfort dish that your family will enjoy deeply. To make this casserole, you’ll need butter, onion, garlic, creole seasoning, cheese, evaporated milk, chicken broth, and a few cans of tuna! For the topping, how do Japanese breadcrumbs sound? Yum!

Tuna Noodle Casserole
Tuna Noodle Casserole – a fuss-free budget-friendly casserole dish with flaky tuna, pasta, peas and cheese then topped with buttery breadcrumbs for a wonderful texture. Truly a family-favorite meal meant for busy weeknights!
Check out this recipe
Tuna Noodle Casserole

7. Trinidad Macaroni Pie

Trinidad Macaroni Pie

The good folks in Trinidad make a mean macaroni pie, thick, firm, and extraordinarily cheesy. Mac and cheese on steroids! 😉 This dish is one hearty and satisfying meal. We’re taking it to another level with some jalapeños and a dash of paprika, and cheddar and mozzarella do the rest. Try looking for that oversized macaroni pasta; that’s my favorite!

Trinidad Macaroni Pie
This is baked mac and cheese the Caribbean Way, with loads of flavor. Add a little spice to your life, my friend. Comfort food has never tasted so good!
Check out this recipe
19 Excellent Evaporated Milk Recipes

Sweet Evaporated Milk Recipes

8. Arroz con Leche

Arroz Con Leche

One of the most exciting Latin desserts made with rice, and although it might sound odd, you’ll love it. Think of sweet porridge, like oats or custard, where rice, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and coconut milk become one. At the same time, cinnamon adds aromatic notes to the traditional dessert. Make rice as you typically would, but flavor it with star anise and cinnamon instead of salt. Then mix it all together and chill it before serving.

Arroz con Leche
Classic Arroz con Leche is a creamy Mexican rice pudding that warms the tummy on a cool day or can be served chilled on a hot day. The creaminess of the milk and the consistency of the rice make the perfect dessert or breakfast.
Check out this recipe
Arroz con Leche with Cinnamon Stick

9. Caramel Cake

Caramel Cake

This one will undoubtedly satisfy your sweet tooth. Think of a creamy, intensely caramelly flavor only this Southern caramel cake can reward you with. Decadence is one way to describe this beauty, but I can think of many others! Divine, maybe? A thick layer of caramel frosting covers a fluffy, moist vanilla-flavored cake for a beautiful dessert that’s best enjoyed with a cup of coffee in a rocking chair on the front porch.

Caramel Cake
A buttery, tender, and decadent yellow cake layered with real caramel goodness boasts just the right sweetness. It's so super easy that you don't even need a candy thermometer! The perfect dessert for your next special event.
Check out this recipe
Serving up a slice of decadent caramel cake for Thanksgiving or Christmas

10. Chocoflan

Chocolate Flan

Not your ordinary Bundt cake, this evaporated milk recipe is all about the layered flavors and textures — think of flan over chocolate cake. So beautiful! By the way, chocoflan is easier to make than it looks. Making cake is easy, and so is making flan. Putting them together is not particularly tricky, so there’s no excuse for not making this beautiful cake for your next dinner party.

ChocoFlan
Moist, decadent chocolate cake layered with a luxurious silky smooth flan and topped with a Mexican cajeta. This is one of the most delicious and magical cakes you'll ever have. With its sweet and creamy vanilla flan topping off a moist chocolate cake, you'll be eating this cake slice after slice!
Check out this recipe
19 Excellent Evaporated Milk Recipes

11. Carrot Souffle

Carrot Souffle

Souffles are known for their fluffiness, and this carrot souffle is no exception. And it’s the perfect way to get your kids to eat veggies without them knowing. This combination of carrots, brown sugar, flour, vanilla, and cinnamon offers a fabulicious dessert/side! What a treat!

Carrot Souffle Recipe
Rich, fluffy, and oh-so-yummy CARROT SOUFFLE is an elegant crowd-pleasing side dish any time of the year. It literally melts in your mouth and is a perfect alternative to those who aren't fans of sweet potatoes as a side especially on Thanksgiving. You’ll totally live for this simple indulgence!
Check out this recipe
Carrot Souffle

12. Tres Leches Cake

Tres Leches Cake

No cake is milkier and moister than the tres leches cake. A sponge cake bathed with a combination of three types of milk. Oh yeah! Well, I love making tres leches, mainly because it’s super versatile, and everyone always asks for seconds. The tres leches milk comes together with evaporated milk, whole milk, and sweetened condensed milk. But you can also use coconut milk!

Tres Leches Cake
Tres Leches Cake – A sweet, spongy, and milky cake topped with a light and fluffy whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon spice. A perfect dessert for any occasion. Every bite of this extraordinary Mexican cake is in milky heaven. Soft, moist, and decadent homemade cake that beats any store-bought versions!
Check out this recipe
Tres Leches Cake

13. German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake

Here’s another charmer. German chocolate cake is not German at all but American, created by Mr. Samuel German. The fudgy core and the crunchy coconut-pecan topping make this one unique. Buttermilk and sour cream give incredible flavor to this fun cake. The coconut-pecan filling is super buttery, and the chocolate frosting is as classic as they come. 

German Chocolate Cake
This German Chocolate Cake boasts rich chocolatey layers and a mouthwatering filling that beautifully blends coconut and pecans. Then the delectable chocolate frosting tops it off for the most delish chocolate cake experience you'll ever have. This practically effortless recipe is a sure winner!
Check out this recipe
Slicing decadent German chocolate cake

14. Chocolate Chess Pie

Chocolate Chess Pie Slice

The classic Southern chess pie taken over the top with chocolate. It’s not too sweet; it’s more of a grown-up chocolate treat. Use semi-sweet chocolate and cocoa powder for the chocolatey part, but this is an evaporated milk recipe, so you know we’re adding some of there in here, too. 

Chocolate Chess Pie
Chocolate Chess Pie – rich, wonderfully sweet, chocolatey Southern classic pie that will make you fall head over heels with its custard-like filling that has a crispy crackle on top. Easy chocolate baked treat just in time for Valentine's Day!
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Chess Pie

15. Flan Recipe

Flan Recipe

Custardy and jiggly, that’s what makes this recipe so charming—a classic flan, nothing more, nothing less. And I love it! There’s nothing like this super easy, smooth, and silky dessert. You’ll need eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk to make this flan. A splash of bourbon and vanilla also kick it up a notch. Oh, and the caramel, the best part!

Flan Recipe
Flan Recipe – fancy yet simple to make dessert with a dense yet sturdy creamy sweet custard topped with a made from scratch caramel sauce. Caramelly, sweet, custardy indulgence that melts in your mouth. An incredible make-ahead dessert for all occasions! 
Check out this recipe
Sliced custard flan on a plate

16. Homemade Eggnog

Pouring Homemade Eggnog

The holiday season just wouldn’t be the same without eggnog, and I’m sorry guys, but store-bought doesn’t cut it. I make this one every year and, you guessed it, I use evaporated milk — that’s my secret. Combine heavy whipping cream, whole milk, and evaporated milk with egg yolks, and season the eggnog with holiday spices. A little vanilla goes a long way, by the way. 

Homemade Eggnog
This version of homemade eggnog is a creamy and deliciously thick homemade cooked eggnog spiced up with nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. You can enjoy this drool-worthy and versatile holiday drink with or without booze. You’ll never buy store-bought eggnog again!
Check out this recipe
Homemade Eggnog

17. New Orleans Beignet

New orleans Beignets

Taste these with your eyes closed, and you’re in New Orleans for a second. That’s how good these beignets are. Soft and pillowy, beignets are the Mardi Gras City’s specialty. But you can make them at home all year round. All you need is yeast, evaporated milk, sugar, an egg, butter, and flour. Oh, and the classic powdered sugar to go on top.

Beignets (New Orleans)
These New Orleans doughnuts popular at Cafe du Monde are soft, pillowy, and light, made with love in your kitchen. Forget regular doughnuts because these are easy and satisfying.
Makes 35-40 beignets
Check out this recipe
Beignets New Orleans style dusted with powdered sugar

18. Cuatro Leches Cake

Cuatro Leches Cake

If you enjoy a good old tres leches cake, imagine how you’ll feel with a piece of cuatro leches cake! Four types of milk turn an apparently simple sponge cake into a decadent delight that you won’t be able to get enough of. Milk, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and dulce de leche are the stars of this show, and a splash of rum makes it even more fun!

Cuatro Leches Cake
An incredibly tender vanilla and cinnamon cake soaked in four different flavors of milk delivers the ultimate cake experience. If you thought Tres Leches Cake was the best, then you just have to try this decadent Mexican dessert. Perfect for special occasions like graduations, weddings, and birthdays.
Check out this recipe
Cuatro Leches Cake sliced and ready to impress with cherries on top

19. Malva Pudding Chocolate

Malva Chocolate Pudding

Let’s end our list with a popular South African dessert, a work of art made of chocolate, eggs, apricot jam, and flour. We’re smothering the pudding with chocolate sauce, and that’s a winning combo right there. What makes this dessert so wonderful is the fruit and the chocolate mingling in your palate; the orange zest and apricots are delightful!

Malva Chocolate Pudding
A decadent traditional South African dessert you just have to try! Rich, moist, chocolatey, and oh-so-easy!
Check out this recipe
19 Excellent Evaporated Milk Recipes

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2 Comments

  1. Evaporated milk truly is a kitchen essential! Its concentrated, creamy richness adds a wonderful depth of flavor to a variety of dishes. I love that it can be stored on the shelf without the worry of spoilage, making it super convenient. From savory sauces to sweet desserts, this ingredient enhances recipes with its luxurious texture. I’m looking forward to trying out your favorite recipes and discovering new ways to incorporate this versatile ingredient!

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