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Thread: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

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    Featured Member Laurisa's Avatar
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    Default Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    I'm a pretty simple chef for my boyfriend and I. Hamburgers, hot dogs, mac and cheese, spaghetti, ramen noodles, bacon and egg breakfast bagels, etc.

    I've put creative spins on some of these common, cheap meals that I thought I'd share for the sake of being bored--and hungry. I don't use measuring cups, I eyeball everything, fyi.

    I call it Xtra Cheesy Mac and Cheese! (Makes 2 servings).

    Ingredients:
    Milk
    Butter (or your favorite alternative)
    Shredded Cheddar Cheese
    2-3 Hot dogs
    Mac and Cheese
    Pepper

    For preparation:
    2 pots
    1 strainer

    Preparation:
    - Fill both pots with an appropriate amount of water for the hot dogs and mac and cheese.
    - Put mac and cheese noodles into one pot, put hot dogs in the other.
    - Turn the burners to medium heat on the hot dogs, and halfway between high and medium for the noodles.
    - Stir the noodles occasionally.
    - Once the noodles are done, strain them in the sink.
    - Remove the hot dogs and put them on a plate to cool. (You can cut the hot dogs down the middle to make sure they are done).
    - Put the noodles back into the pot, then add a few dime size amounts of butter, and a few spoonfuls of milk. Put the cheese mix into the noodles. Stir.
    - Divide the mac and cheese into two portions. (One for you, one for your meal partner).
    - Add shredded cheese and pepper to your meal as desired.
    - Cut up the hot dogs into 1/2 inch pieces. If you used two hot dogs each person should get one hot dog, if you used three hot dogs each person should get one and one half hot dogs.

    There, you're done. A cheap meal that is a little different than normal mac and cheese.

    Feel free to post up other fun little meal plans!

    -Laurisa
    If you are willing to do for one year what other's won't, you can spend a lifetime doing what other's cant.


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    Featured Member Laurisa's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    Below is a photo line up of the process:


    What you'll need.


    Mac and Cheese and Hot Dogs cooking.


    Straining the noodles.
    If you are willing to do for one year what other's won't, you can spend a lifetime doing what other's cant.


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    Featured Member Laurisa's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!


    Added the butter, milk, and cheese packet.


    The hot dogs are done!


    I mixed the butter, cheese packet, and milk together. I put them into my bowl and added the hot dogs after I cut them up.


    The finished result with the pepper and shredded cheese!
    If you are willing to do for one year what other's won't, you can spend a lifetime doing what other's cant.


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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    I love easy simple recipes!

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    Featured Member AznExtasy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    I love pics of food!!!!!!!!!

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    Default My recipe for "homestyle mac and cheese"

    You'll need: 1lb rigatoni style pasta, half pound bacon, 1 lb Velveta cheese, 1/2 lb cheddar cheese, 3 cups milk, 6 tablespoons butter, bread crumbs, salt, pepper.

    From start to table in about 40 minutes. Feeds four to six with vegetable or salad.

    Cook the pasta al dente as it will cook more in the baking process.

    Prepare bacon: I find microwaving bacon to be the best way to cook it. It does it to perfection if crisp bacon is what you like, or want, and crisp is what you'll need because you have to crumble it for this recipe. Line microwave safe dish with paper towels place bacon stripes on towels and cover with more paper towel. Microwave for 3 minutes on high [since microwaves have different wattages check after two minutes and adjust time to suite your microwave oven]

    Cheese sauce: can also be done in microwave but I prefer double boiler. Bring 3 cups milk and 6 tablespoons butter to simmer. Add 1lb cubed Velveta cheese and 1/2 pound shredded mild cheddar and melt to sauce consistency stirring regularly. Salt and pepper to taste.

    Beard crumbs: If you are purchasing them you don't want the very finely ground kind like most Italian style bread crumbs but the courser variety. In a pinch you can buy croutons and run them thru a food processor to break them up some. Different flavored croutons could even be used to change the taste a little. My preference is to take a loaf of french bread and grind it in a food processor to the consistency I want. It works better if the bread is a little stale. [perfect way to use a loaf that wouldn't be good for anything else.]

    Put pasta, cheese sauce and bacon crumble into baking dish. Mix well. Dust top liberally with bread crumbs and bake in pre-heated 425 degree oven until bread crumbs are golden brown [about 15-20 minutes]. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

    This is NOT a dish for those on a fat, calorie or cholesterol or sodium restricted diet.
    Fiat justitia, pereat mundus.


    BTW, while we are on the subject, is it needed to point out the obvious: That it is just possible that if you are willing to judge the worth of someone simply by what you read on a website about them it might say a whole hell of a lot more about you than it says about the person you are judging?

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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    I add meatballs. Usually from the frozen food section. I heat them up in the microwave, pour off any grease and add them to the mac n cheese.

    I use soy milk too. Ups the protein so I don't feel hungry again in just a few hours. I like the cheese idea but would have to go sparingly for myself. Milk hates me.

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    Featured Member Laurisa's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    Wow thanks for the feedback! Keep adding simple recipes please! I'm pregnant right now and I have plenty of time to cook.

    Additionally, I think I'm going to make hamburgers tonight or tomorrow. I usually just put salt and pepper on the meat for seasoning, does anyone else have any other suggestions that aren't too costly?
    If you are willing to do for one year what other's won't, you can spend a lifetime doing what other's cant.


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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    Quote Originally Posted by Laurisa View Post
    Wow thanks for the feedback! Keep adding simple recipes please! I'm pregnant right now and I have plenty of time to cook.

    Additionally, I think I'm going to make hamburgers tonight or tomorrow. I usually just put salt and pepper on the meat for seasoning, does anyone else have any other suggestions that aren't too costly?
    I add a pack of Lipton Onion Soup mix to the meat.

    The toasted onion and spices add a nice flavor. The beef bullion kicks the beef taste up a notch. Especially if you are using a leaner 90+% hamburger.
    Fiat justitia, pereat mundus.


    BTW, while we are on the subject, is it needed to point out the obvious: That it is just possible that if you are willing to judge the worth of someone simply by what you read on a website about them it might say a whole hell of a lot more about you than it says about the person you are judging?

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    God/dess hockeybobby's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    A spoonful of salsa on top of the mac & cheese, and garlic toast on the side. mmm

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    God/dess princessjas's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    I make homemade cheese sauce. It's easy and doesn't have all the artificial stuff that the box does. Just start with a cup or two of milk and a few tsp of butter if you want it extra rich, bring to a simmer, add some garlic if you like, then whisk in shredded cheddar and parm. You'll know when you get the right amount as the texture will thicken nicely. You can adjust the amounts to suit your tastes. It can be more like alfredo or reg mac & cheese. I also add black pepper to make it extra yummy. Some people start with a roux to add extra thickness, but I find it just cuts the cheesiness.

    For add in's, my fav is to dump a thing of froz veggies in. Adds at least some nutritional value and as a bonus is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies.
    "I hear you calling and it's needles and pins. I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name...You're poision. but I don't wanna break these chains.... I wanna love you but I'd better not touch."

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    Featured Member Laurisa's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    Quote Originally Posted by princessjas View Post
    I make homemade cheese sauce. It's easy and doesn't have all the artificial stuff that the box does. Just start with a cup or two of milk and a few tsp of butter if you want it extra rich, bring to a simmer, add some garlic if you like, then whisk in shredded cheddar and parm. You'll know when you get the right amount as the texture will thicken nicely. You can adjust the amounts to suit your tastes. It can be more like alfredo or reg mac & cheese. I also add black pepper to make it extra yummy. Some people start with a roux to add extra thickness, but I find it just cuts the cheesiness.

    For add in's, my fav is to dump a thing of froz veggies in. Adds at least some nutritional value and as a bonus is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies.
    That sounds delicious
    If you are willing to do for one year what other's won't, you can spend a lifetime doing what other's cant.


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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    Quote Originally Posted by Laurisa View Post
    Wow thanks for the feedback! Keep adding simple recipes please! I'm pregnant right now and I have plenty of time to cook.

    Additionally, I think I'm going to make hamburgers tonight or tomorrow. I usually just put salt and pepper on the meat for seasoning, does anyone else have any other suggestions that aren't too costly?
    My friend mixes taco seasoning into the hamburger and serves with pepperjack cheese.

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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    Breakfast or a snack:

    Buy the six packs of yogurt, any flavor
    Any kind of frozen fruit (if you don't have fresh, it's available anytime)
    Granola

    I take the yogurt, put it in a glass, put some granola in the middle and defrost the fruit and put it on top. Delish treat, easy, and healthy!

    (You can buy yogurt with granola and/or fruit mixed in, but I prefer the taste of this).

    I do the frozen fruit thing with simple smoothies, too:

    Frozen fruit of any kind
    Frozen yogurt (I use vanilla)
    Any type of juice you find that will blend with the fruit ok
    Ice

    Throw it all in a blender, on crush ice mode. It's great for a hangover.

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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    You all are making me hungry! And I just happen to have some mac n cheese here, but none of those ingredients, dammit...

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    Featured Member Laurisa's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    food<3

    I love these. I will make a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel this morning for food.
    If you are willing to do for one year what other's won't, you can spend a lifetime doing what other's cant.


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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    Quote Originally Posted by Laurisa View Post
    food<3

    I love these. I will make a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel this morning for food.

    You know what is fun? Put a cookie cutter in the skillet and pour the whipped egg into that. Egg in fun shapes.

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    Default Re: Simple spin on plain ol' mac and cheese!

    I did this the other day.

    I bought
    90/10 hamburger
    can of black beans
    Can of mexican corn (has peppers mixed in)
    Can of black beans
    an a box of instant rice.
    1 packet taco seasoning.
    One package grated cheese.

    Put hamburger in a medium heated skillet to brown
    Measured one cup of instant rice, added to 1 cup water, and put into the microwave in a bowl for 5 minutes.

    When the hamburger was brown and all mixed up so it was broken up like taco meat, in went the seasoning packet and a little water. Once thouroughly mixed I added the rice, and mixed, then Black beans (drained) and mixed, then corn (drained) and mixed.

    I enjoyed nachos, and had enough to fill three 1 quart tupperware containers.

    So if I come home hungry, I can have nachos in like five minutes.

    I had

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