Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe is as simple as it gets yet fancy enough to serve at a dinner party.

Easy baked macaroni and cheese is a classic recipe, that may just have you doing the happy dance.

This recipe has been passed down in my family for generations, it’s simple and the best. So whenever that craving hits for some real Macaroni and Cheese, this recipe is sure to please.

Don’t you ever just have a craving for some “Good Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese”?But not that  stuff you get from the box, more like the kind before the box stuff was ever invented. Well then you are in the right place 🙂

The ultimate comfort food ready to enjoy!

BEST CHEESE FOR MAC AND CHEESE

Gruyere, Velveeta, Brie, Gouda, Parmesan, Havarti and Monterey Jack

HOW MACARONI AND CHEESE IS MADE

I like to make my mac and cheese extra special by adding panko breadcrumbs on top along with fresh Parmigiano Reggiano, THIS is the stuff dreams are made of.

To make a very cheesy pasta ~ Boil one Box of Macaroni which is 375 grams typically  =8.82 ounces. To make a lighter less cheesy version, yet still very good pasta ~ Boil 450 grams of Macaroni.

We hope you enjoy it as well! Creamy with the right amount of crunch!

Also want to make two batches? Just double the recipe and use two baking pans. This freezes easily for another day, just let it cool and then seal it in a ziplock bag.

Transfer to a lightly oiled baking dish the day of baking and top with your breadcrumbs and bake.

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Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

This Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta is something I came up with on a lazy Sunday. It is super easy to make and full of some familiar flavors that your going to love!

When making this Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta, be sure your using a good quality pasta as it will make a world of difference in how this recipe tastes. I hope this recipe becomes something you love as much as we did. Like this recipe? Then your sure to like my Spicy Italian Pasta as well.

This dish can be put together in under 30 minutes So what are you waiting for?

Grab your favorite pasta, I like to use a large swirly macaroni, a jar of pre made “Classico Basil Pesto”, along with white shredded cheddar cheese and of course some sundried tomatoes.

If your wanting to your own Pesto from scratch, I highly recommend checking out this recipe for Easy Basil Pesto Recipe It will work for this recipe too!

HOW TO MAKE SUN DRIED TOMATO PESTO PASTA

Your going to want to start by cooking the pasta. Then while that is happening you can chop and sauté the sun dried tomatoes, this helps to tenderize them and give them flavor.

Unless your using some sundried tomatoes from a jar that is packed in oil. In that case you won’t need to add any extra oil and can skip heating them up all the way at first.

  • Then start by boiling a pot of salted water, then cook the pasta according to the packages institutions. Strain and set aside.
  • Next chop the sundried tomatoes and saute them with 1 tbsp of oil till soft and slightly charred. 
  • Add back in the cooked pasta and toss with the sun dried tomatoes, basil pesto, olive oil and cheddar cheese.
  • Once the cheese has melted serve and enjoy!

Couldn’t you just snuggle up to a BIG bowl of this tonight? Go ahead and create few meal preps with it for the week ahead also if you like. I love to do that when making this recipe.

Your family won’t believe that most of these delicious flavors in a jar, yes I use one simple product to make this pasta special, it is called “Classico Basil Pesto” see below.

Feel free to use Fettuccine or Spaghetti for this recipe as well, just be sure to chop those sundried tomatoes up small enough according to your pasta choice. 

You can always add some sliced chicken breasts or shrimp to this pasta if desired. All the above would work well and add some protein. 

Looking for a gluten free option? Simply find a pasta that is 100% gluten free and your good to go. Who said those with Gluten allergies could not enjoy a good pasta dish too!

Other pasta dishes you’re sure to enjoy!

I’m thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

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Asparagus Mac and Cheese

This Asparagus Mac and Cheese or kraft dinner Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate of comfort food Canadian food.

If you and your family like macaroni and cheese then this just steps it up a notch and tastes much better than any kind of boxed stuff. 

By simply adding in some fresh asparagus and roma tomatoes this dish becomes a meal! 

Plus if you have ever felt a tad guilty eating the box stuff but just can’t help yourself “like me sometimes”.

Then this recipe is sure to sway you to enjoy mac and cheese more often but in a healthy way.

I think this recipe will be great for those who want something quick and do like the boxed macaroni and cheese.

The kids will definitely be all over it, i’m sure. 

So when that mac and cheese craving hits, I hope you think of this recipe. I do, a lot 🙂

I no longer just make Macaroni and Cheese, I will make this recipe too.

You can add pretty much any other vegetables such as cooked broccoli, kale etc as well. 

This recipe will be a fantastic for those of you who want something quick and something that the kids will be able to enjoy too!

So what are you waiting for? ✌

I’m thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! Thank you and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

LIKED THIS RECIPE? THEN YOU’RE SURE TO LIKE MY: Mac and Cheese tortellini

Hearty Hamburger Macaroni Soup

Good old Hearty Hamburger Noodle Soup is one of those recipes that you will want to make as soon as the weather starts to get cold. It warms the soul is healthy and can be enjoyed over a few days. 

This Hearty Hamburger Macaroni Soup is absolutely delicious. Packed with immune boosting ingredients this soup will leave you feeling good and craving more.

I can literally eat this for days, it’s that good!  I tend to make this soup in large batches and will freeze it in separate bowls to enjoy ahead of time.

Some people like to add other vegetables to this type of soup. Use what you have on hand, really almost any type of veggie goes well with beef and tomatoes.

 

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear how it turned out! You can post a review/picture below or via Instagram and let me know. And by doing so you will be automatically entered into our seasonal CONTEST to win one of our great prizes. Winner will be notified via email within a week after the contest closes. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

PIN IT FOR LATER

Skillet Lobster Mac and Cheese

This Skillet Lobster Mac and Cheese is such a delicious and comforting meal for two. 

I had something similar at a restaurant last year and had to make it for myself. This is sophisticated version of  the old fashioned macaroni and cheese that you may be familiar with. 

So why not treat yourself and someone special, to a warm bowl of mac and cheese, infused with some grilled lobster.

LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE

  1. Start buy cutting your lobster down the middle and then directly in half so you can remove the meat and use the tales in the dish.
  2. Cook your macaroni according to the instructions, rinse and drain once cooked.

Prepare your White sauce:

  1. On low heat, place your sliced in “half lobsters” with the meat still inside in a cast iron skillet. Allow them to cook for a few minutes on each side, and remove from heat before they are fully cooked and set aside.
  2. Allow the lobster to cool, and remove the meat with your thumbs and set the shells aside (to be cooked later with the pasta)
  3. In the same skillet melt your butter on medium to low heat and slowly add in your flour stirring constantly.
  4. Be careful not to burn your flour, watch to make sure the FLOUR is becoming a light brown color, still continuing to stir constantly. This may take 5 minutes or more. If this is not done properly you will either have under cooked flour or you will burn it.
  5. Once the butter and flour has retched a light brown color, and your sauce has cooled for 5 minutes slowly add in  your “COLD” milk and stir till combined. Next, turn down the burner to low heat and add in your thyme, old bay seasoning and nutmeg into the white sauce and whisk it all together for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Then your Worcestershire sauce, some salt and continue stirring for 5 minutes. Time to add in your “Old Shredded Cheddar Cheese” a bit at a time while stirring it over a low heat until the cheese melts into the white sauce. Now add 1/2 tsp of your Dijon Mustard and let it sit to combine.
     

Baking the Macaroni and Cheese:

  1. Now add your lobster shells to the boiling water and cook your paste, once cooked drain it off (keep the shells for baking in the oven)
  2. And in your pre cooked macaroni to cast iron skillet (add a few drops of water so its not to dry) and toss to coat with the old cheddar cheese and lobster meat. Add salt and pepper if needed, taste as you go.
  3. Now is the time to add in those lobster shells, place around the outside of the skillet (for presentation) and sprinkle your Panko breadcrumbs mixture all over the top and season with salt and pepper, once more.
  4. Bake at 4oo degrees for 20-25 minutes on the middle rack or until golden brown.
  5.  

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! You can post a review, picture below or via Instagram and let me know how it turned out. And by doing so you will be automatically entered into our seasonal CONTEST to win one of our great prizes. Winner will be notified via email within a week after the contest closes. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!