Thursday, July 5, 2012

Quick Mac & Cheese

Here's another recipe I've seen all over the internet and was curious about, a stove top mac and cheese that cooks up in way less than 30 minutes. No butter, no bechamel sauce, no pre-cooking the macaroni... just noodles, milk, S&P and cheese. Plus any additional flavorings you like.
Notes:
  • I added 1/4 tsp of onion powder and a shake of cayenne pepper to the milk as it was cooking. 
  • This is tasty and best served immediately
  • For mac and cheese lovers this is a great, quick weeknight side dish, and it sure beats the blue box for the kids lunch! I wouldn't serve it with Sunday dinner though. It's hard to beat a truly creamy, white sauce based mac and cheese.
  • Do I recommend trying it? Absolutely! Let me know what you think:@)
Miracle Mac N' Cheese-from Budget Bytes, stop by for complete picture tutorial
2 C milk, you may need up to 1/4 C extra for moisture
2 C elbow macaroni
1 C shredded cheddar
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp dijon-optional-I didn't use
1/4 tsp smoked paprika-optional-I didn't use
10-15 cranks black pepper-optional
  1. Add 2 C milk and macaroni to pot. 
  2. Add lid, bring to a boil, but stir often.
  3. As soon as it boils reduce to a simmer and cook till pasta softens (approx 10 minutes), stir often while keeping the lid on between stirs.
  4. Once the pasta is soft turn off heat and add your flavorings, mix. 
  5. If it looks dry add some more milk.
  6. Add cheese, stir till melted and combined, serve immediately.
Have a happy day:@)

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Foodie Friday

16 comments:

  1. I wish I knew about this recipes when my kids were little. They loved the blue box macaroni and cheese. I wouldn't have felt so guilty serving them this.

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  2. Is there anything better than Mac n cheese? The only reason I hate to make it is that I eat far more than I should. The same is true for mashed potatoes!

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  3. I wish I had heard of this before my older daughter left to go back. I would love to have had her taste test it for me. She fancies herself quite the mac and cheese expert. I will send the recipe to her to have her try it. I would try it here, but little sister doesn't like cheese when it's, "all melty". She's used the phrase since she was about three and doesn't seem to want to adopt a new one.

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  4. That's an interesting way of trying mac n' cheese. I've gotta try it!

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  5. I'm going to give this a try - thanks for sharing!

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  6. I've got grandkids up this week...guess what we are going to try!!!
    Thank you!
    xo

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  7. This looks good and easy! The Mr is on a diet right now so I won't make it but think I'll send to my daughter! I be Tiger would love some mac and cheese! Hugs, Linda

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  8. This is my favorite comfort food. The simpler the better. Your recipe looks and sounds delicious!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  9. I'm sure there are some raised eyebrows like mine...If I didn't know you, I wouldn't believe it...hmm, very interesting. I will try it and let you know. xo

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  10. Mac and Cheese has always been a favorite. I don't know why I don't make it more often. This would be a great lunch...just add a dab of ketchup!

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  11. One of my favs...wish I had a bowl for supper.

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  12. What a terrific recipe, hubby is going to love this! He has a soft spot for pasta...and so do I!! I'm hungry, I should go and get dinner, lol..Thanks for the recipe honey. Hope you had a great 4th.!
    FABBY

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  13. Hi Lynn,
    I am going to try that in a different way because we don't have some ingredients. Thank you for the yummy recipe.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  14. That looks so much better than Kraft! sandie

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  15. Sounds like a quick meal that the grand kids would like. When my kids were little, I had a recipe that was very similar that I actually got in high school from the electric company. I still have that recipe!

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  16. Well, I tried it, but wasn't thrilled. It was very bland to me, and I even added some spices to it. I used mild cheddar, maybe a sharp cheddar would be better?

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