Dressed Up Mac And Cheese Food

DRESSED-UP BACON MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart shallow casserole dish. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the macaroni until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain; transfer the pasta to the prepared casserole dish along with 1/4 cup of the cold milk. (This will cool the pasta and prevent it from becoming gummy.)
• Meanwhile, mix the cheeses together in a small bowl. Beat the eggs with 1/4 cup of the milk in a medium bowl. Add the scallions, bread and half of the cheese to the egg mixture; set aside.
• Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp; transfer to paper towels to drain. Discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings from the pan. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until just brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in the flour, cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon salt; cook for 2 minutes. Slowly add the remaining 1 3/4 cups milk and 3/4 cup water to the skillet. Bring to a boil, whisking until thick. Remove the sauce from the heat and whisk to cool slightly. Whisk in the remaining cheese. Add the sauce to the macaroni; stir to combine.
• Crumble up the bacon and add it to the egg/bread mixture. Spread evenly over the pasta. Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven; let sit 5 minutes before serving.

DRESSED-UP MAC 'N CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook Macaroni in large saucepan as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, heat heavy medium skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat. Add peppers; cook and stir 3 min. Stir in water; cover. Simmer on medium-low heat 8 to 10 min. or until peppers are tender. Add 1/4 cup sour cream; cook and stir 1 min. or until heated through.
• Drain macaroni. Use to prepare Dinners as directed on package. Stir in 1/2 cup shredded cheese and remaining sour cream. Top with remaining shredded cheese. Serve with pepper mixture.

DRESSED-UP BACON MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Butter a 2-quart shallow casserole dish. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the macaroni until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain; transfer the pasta to the prepared casserole dish along with 1/4 cup of the cold milk. (This will cool the pasta and prevent it from becoming gummy.)
• Meanwhile, mix the cheeses together in a small bowl. Beat the eggs with 1/4 cup of the milk in a medium bowl. Add the scallions, bread and half of the cheese to the egg mixture; set aside.
• Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp; transfer to paper towels to drain. Discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings from the pan. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until just brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in the flour, cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon salt; cook for 2 minutes. Slowly add the remaining 2 cups milk to the skillet. Bring to a boil, whisking until thick. Remove the sauce from the heat and whisk to cool slightly. Whisk in the remaining cheese. Add the sauce to the macaroni; stir to combine.
• Crumble up the bacon and add it to the bread mixture. Spread evenly over the pasta. Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven; let sit 5 minutes before serving.

UPGRADED KRAFT MAC N CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Prepare Mac n Cheese dinner as directed on package.
• Stir in 1/2 cup of the Cheddar cheese, the sour cream and pepper.
• Spoon into greased 1-1/2 quart baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese.
• Combine the melted butter and cracker crumbs and sprinkle over the top.
• Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.