Tag Archives: Macaroni & Cheese

I recently made a batch of Creamy Beef and Shells and was told “I’d eat this again” and “I could lick the bowl” in the same sitting so I’ll take that as a win!  If you’ve never had Creamy Beef and Shells, it’s essentially a twist on classic macaroni and cheese.  It has lots of flavor and is a very hearty, comfort food, that is perfect for picky eaters because it will satisfy any taste buds.  There really isn’t a lot to this dish and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand already so it’s a great pantry meal. The recipe can be found here. Start by heating 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or deep pot over medium heat.  Add the beef and cook until completely cooked through, crumbling as it cooks, about 6-7 minutes.  Add the salt, pepper, and onion powder and stir to … Continue reading

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Smoked Macaroni & Cheese is a wonderful comfort food that is sure to be a hit!  You essentially take a recipe for macaroni and cheese but enhance the flavor by smoking it vs baking it.  A few things I’d like to point out: The smokey flavor is well developed – you can taste it in each bite but it’s not overpowering. It’s pretty effortless to make – you assemble, smoke, add some toppings, and dig in! It’s smoked in a foil pan so it’s easy to cover and transport to another location. It can be a full meal, served as a side, or shared at a potluck or party.   The recipe can be found here.  Let’s walk through how to make it. Start by preheating your smoker to 250 degrees F and add hickory wood chips.  I think this recipe tastes great with hickory but feel free to experiment with another wood chip flavor. Bring … Continue reading

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Instant Pot Bacon Gouda Mac & Cheese is a very simple yet delicious meal that is ready in no time!  The combination of ingredients is incredibly rich and flavorful.  The bacon is crispy, the onions are caramelized, the noodles are nice and tender (but not mushy), and the gouda adds a wonderful nutty and creamy taste and texture to the whole dish.  You cannot go wrong with this recipe! The recipe can be found here. Start by prepping your ingredients – chop the bacon, dice the onion, measure out your spices, and shred the cheddar and gouda.  Set all ingredients aside. Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté setting.  Once hot, add the bacon and cook until crispy.  Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate.  Set the bacon aside but no not discard the bacon grease in the Instant Pot. Add the butter to the Instant Pot (with the bacon … Continue reading

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Do you ever struggle to find a weeknight meal option that’s not only quick and easy to make but also something your whole family will enjoy?  I think that’s something we all go through but even more so now with spending more time at home.  How do you keep the meals exciting?  How do you add variety to your weekly menu?  It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and eat the same old meals week after week, and COVID hasn’t helped! The occasional takeout meal is fine, but I’ve definitely been getting good use out of my kitchen appliances.  Some of which I rarely use, but it’s been fun to find recipes to make in them and familiarize myself with the appliance so I can use it more often. My most recent recipe is for Simple Instant Pot Mac & Cheese.  Like the recipe name says, it’s simple 🙂 … Continue reading

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Vegan Buffalo Mac & Cheese will make your dreams come true one bite at a time.  It’s the ultimate comfort food!  Each bite is creamy, loaded with buffalo spice, and has the slightest crunch from toasted breadcrumbs.  It’s the perfect recipe to take your dinner game to the next level.   The recipe can be found here. The first step is to bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to package instruction.  Drain and set aside.  I like to use chickpea noodles because they are packed with protein and fiber but use any noodle you prefer.  I think the texture of chickpea noodles is very similar to regular noodles, as well as the taste. Next, bring a small pot of water to a boil (you can also do this while the noodles are cooking).  Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and … Continue reading

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