Poor Mans Macaroni N Cheese Recipes

BUDGET MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour, salt and pepper; stir until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in cheese until melted. , Drain macaroni. Add to the cheese mixture; toss to coat.

POOR MAN'S MAC & CHEESE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Brown ground beef and set aside and keep warm. Or brown while cooking mac & cheese.
• Cook macaroni & cheese (I prefer Kraft brand)according to directions on box.
• Add ground beef, cream style corn, drained whole corn, and drained peas to macaroni and cheese. And you're done!
• If it's to dry for your taste just add some more milk.
• Frozen corn and peas can be used if you prefer.

POOR MANS MACARONI N CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook the Egg Noodles in a sauce pan.
• and drain until there is about 2 tablespoons of water left in pan.
• Take the cooked noodles+water and transter them into a bowl, place the slices of American Cheese on the cooked noodles till all of the noodles are covered.
• Place in microwave for 2-3 minutes.
• Enjoy!

STOVE TOP MACARONI 'N CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente and drain.
• Return to the pot and melt in the butter.
• Toss to coat.
• Whisk together the eggs, milk, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and mustard.
• Stir into the pasta and add the cheese.
• Over low heat continue to stir for 3 minutes or until creamy.

EASIEST MAC 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Place cottage cheese, buttermilk, and mustard in a mixing bowl. Using a stick blender, puree until smooth. (If you don't have a stick blender, a regular blender works fine, just pour into a bowl after it is pureed).
• Add cheddar cheese and uncooked macaroni to pureed mixture and stir until well mixed.
• Spray a 8x11 baking dish with non-stick spray, then pour mixture into dish.
• In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over top of mixture in the baking pan.
• Bake for about 45 minutes, until edges are nice and bubbly and top is browned.

POOR MAN'S TUNA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook Macaroni and Cheese according to box directions.
• Stir in tuna, cream of mushroom soup, and frozen peas.
• Transfer mixture to baking dish and top with shredded cheese and french fried onions.
• Bake at 375 degrees until cheese is melted, and dish is heated through (approximately 15 minutes).
• Enjoy!
• If you are low on time, or don't want to heat up the oven, you can omit the cheese and french friend onions, and simply warm through on the stovetop.

BUTTERNUT MAC 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Squash:.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cut squash in half, lengthwise and rub cut side with olive oil.
• Place cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for 60 - 75 minutes or until completely cooked and soft.
• Scoop out flesh while still warm and break apart with a spoon.
• Timing-wise, finish the squash roughly the same time the pasta and the sauce is cooked so that it's still warm.
• NOTE: You can change the ratio of squash to macaroni if you want it to be more or less squashy-I think this ratio is ideal because is comes out like mac n' cheese but there is still a good amount of squash hiding in there --.
• Cook macaroni in salted water.
• Let drain well. Timing-wise, finish the pasta and the sauce about the same time.
• Sauce:.
• In a saucepan, melt the butter on MEDIUM heat until shimmery.
• Stir in the onion as it's prepped, then the nutmeg and white pepper, cook until onions soften.
• Stir in the flour and mix well.
• A tablespoon at a time, add the milk, incorporating each tablespoon well before adding another. (If you add it all at once, or without working in each time, there's risk of ending up with a lumpy sauce).
• Stirring often, let the sauce come almost to the boiling point, it will thicken slightly.
• Add the cheese and let melt, adjusting temperature so that the sauce won't boil. (It's not a disaster if it does, since it's going into the casserole, but it'll look curdled).
• COMBINE.
• In a large bowl, break the squash apart, mashing it really, with a wooden spoon.
• Stir in the hot, drained pasta and combine well, distributing the squash throughout. Stir in the sauce and combine well.
• Transfer to a greased baking dish.
• If you like, sprinkle the top with pimento or paprika.
• If making ahead, let cool to room temperature, cover and refrigerate.
• BAKE.
• Return dish to room temperature.
• Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly throughout.
• To add color to the top, place under the broiler for 2 - 3 minutes, watching carefully so not to burn. When covered with foil, holds its temperature for a good 30 minutes.