Jazz Up Boxed Macaroni And Cheese With 6 Variations Food

JAZZ UP BOXED MACARONI AND CHEESE - WITH 6 VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Prepare macaroni and cheese as directed. Then mix in one of the following.
• Meat Lovers' Special Supper: Mix in frozen mini meatballs (cooked according to package directions), diced salami or pepperoni and a dash of hot sauce. (I added 16 mini meatballs).
• Tasty Tuna: Stir in drained tuna and frozen peas (thawed); top with canned french fried onions. Bake until hot.
• Smoky Peppers: Toss in a jar of drained, chopped roasted red peppers, some shredded provolone cheese and a pinch of garlic powder.
• Zesty Bacon: Mix in cooked crumbled bacon and canned fire roasted diced tomatoes (drained); heat through. Before serving, sprinkle with thinly sliced fresh basil.
• Taco Mac: Saute ground beef with a couple of spoonfuls of chili powder until browned; stir into macaroni and cheese with a little salsa. Serve topped with crushed tortilla chips.
• Chicken Divan: Stir in chopped rotisserie chicken, frozen broccoli florets (thawed) and a little dijon or honey mustard; heat through.

EASY HOMEMADE TASTIN' MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Prepare macaroni according to package.
• Drain.
• No need to rinse.
• Pour in large mixing bowl.
• Add sauce packet, sour cream, milk, and 2 cups of the cheese.
• Pour in casserole dish.
• Top with remaining cheese.
• Bake at 375F for about an hour or until nicely browned.

GROWN UP MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni in boiling salted water according to package directions.
• Drain& add a little butter to prevent sticking.
• Cover& put aside.
• Melt butter in a large saucepan over low to medium heat.
• Add flour& cook gently for 4- 5 mins.
• Add milk, mix well& allow to simmer for a few mins.
• Add cream, mix well& cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until sauce starts to thicken (about 10 mins).
• Add onion& bay leaf; continue cooking for another 15- 20 mins, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat, remove bay leaf, stir in mustard& 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar, season with salt& pepper and stir well.
• Combine with macaroni in an ovenproof casserole dish.
• Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar over top.
• Combine bread crumbs, parsley& paprika and sprinkle over the top.
• Bake in a preheated 350F oven for about 15- 20 minutes or until light golden brown on top.

BETTER MACARONI AND CHEESE FROM A BOX!

Steps:

• Cook the macaroni in boiling water until it's as tender as you'd like it.
• Drain the macaroni in a colander, set aside.
• In the same pan over medium heat, melt the 1/8 cup margarine, then add the cheese powder. Stir until smooth with a wire whisk.
• Add the 3/4 cup of milk, a little bit at a time, mixing it with the wire whisk, like you were making gravy, stirring constantly over medium heat. As it thickens up, add some more milk until all the milk is added. Bring the mixture up to the point of boiling so that it's thick. Then add the cheese and whisk again until smooth and melted.
• Now remove from heat and add the drained macaroni. You're ready to serve and your macaroni will be creamy instead of that yellow runny stuff around your noodles.

MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH WINE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions, omitting salt.
• Drain and set aside. *NOTE: Do NOT be tempted to skip this step! Trust me, I've done it so I should know!
• Saute onion in butter in a heavy saucepan.
• Add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Gradually add milk and wine.
• cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly.
• Remove from heat; add salt, pepper, and Cheddar cheese.
• Stir until cheese melts.
• Add macaroni; mix well.
• Pour into a lightly greased 2-quart casserole dish.
• Sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake at 350F for 15 minutes; uncover and continue baking another 15 minutes.

JACKED UP MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Add both boxes of macaroni (pasta only) into a casserole dish and add water.
• Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 8 minutes.
• After 8 minutes lift foil, stir gently, replace foil and bake for another 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add 2 tablespoons melted butter to the crushed Ritz crushed crackers and mix.
• Lay strips of bacon on a plate and cover with a paper towel.
• Microwave at 30 second intervals until bacon is crispy.
• Once bacon is cool, crumble into pieces.
• When pasta is ready, remove from oven and stir in 1/2 cup butter, milk and 1 cup cheddar cheese.
• Top with remaining cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon and crushed crackers.
• Return to oven, uncovered, until topping is golden brown and bubbling (about 15 minutes). Serve.
• Additional add-ins: grilled chicken, broccoli, peas, tuna, salsa or ground beef.
• Healthy Alternatives: Use whole grain or veggie pasta. Add whole grain crushed crackers for topping.