MACARONI & CHEESE

MACARONI & CHEESE

We love this recipe. Easy to make and a very easy to double. It is also an easy one to modify depending on what you have on hand. This is by far my favorite Mac & Cheese. I got this from Chris Groat at Pacific Yurts.

Boil 2 cups noodles.

Saute 1 small onion (white or red or combination) and 1 green pepper (can either substitute or add celery or broccoli - both really good)

Mix together:

1 can cream of whatever soup (can use 8 oz cream cheese and chicken seasoning)

1/2 cup mayo (one time I forgot and it was still just as good)

1 small jar pimentos

4 cups (1#) cheese, shredded

Mix all together and bake in a 9x13 at 350 for 25 minutes.

Sprinkle top with ritz crackers or chips.

Last time I one and halved the recipe I did: 3 cups noodles, big onion, big bell pepper (Herricks big), 1 can soup, 3/4 cup mayo, 1 jar pimentos, about 4 cups cheese and 8 oz cream cheese. Was so delish!

WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVERS (these came from Martha Stewart Food Magazine):

In large skillet, heat 1 T oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced, and cook stirring occasionally until softened - about 8 minutes. Add 1/2# (or more) sweet Italian sausages, castings removed, add 1/2 tsp. red-pepper flakes (I think I will leave out next time) and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through - 8 minutes. Add 4 cups leftover mac&cheese to skillet and gently combine. Stir in 2T heavy cream (or whatever you have on hand) and 5 ounces spinach (I tore up my spinach into smaller pieces) and cook until spinach begins to wilt. Sprinkle top with shredded Parmesan cheese (I didn't have -was still good)

-OR-

Preheat oven to 400. In a large skillet heat 1T oil over medium. Add 1 small onion, diced small, and cook until softened - about 8 minutes. Stir in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice and cook until tomatoes are heated through - 2 minutes. Add 4 cups mac&cheese and gently combine. Remove from heat and stir in 3T sour cream and 4 tsp fresh basil leaves; season with coarse salt. Transfer to a 2-quart baking dish, top with 1/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs and drizzle with 1T oil. Bake until sauce is bubbling at edges and breadcrumbs are golden - 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.