Mac-and-Cheesy Goodness

Mac-and-cheese is by far one of the best comfort foods out there! There's just something comforting about a nice warm bowl of Mac-and-cheese. So to commemorate one of the best comfort foods out there I created this list full of different Mac-and-cheese recipes!

Broccoli Cheddar Mac 'n' Cheese

If you're looking for something on the healthier side this is a good recipe for you!

You can use either from the box Mac-and-cheese or home-made Mac-and-cheese. There will be a recipe for how to make broccoli at the bottom of the page.

Ingredients:

• 1 box of Mac-and-cheese

• 1 cup of cooked broccoli (you can add more if you’d like)

• 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese

• Pepper and Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare 1 box of Mac 'N' Cheese according to instructions on box or if you’d like you could use your own homemade Mac-and-cheese

2. Add 1 cup of cooked broccoli, 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, add a pinch of pepper, and finally add a pinch of salt.

3. Top with desired garnish and Serve immediately. Enjoy!

BBQ pulled pork Mac-and-cheese

BBQ pulled pork Mac-and-cheese is actually a-lot better than it sounds. It's definitely a dish worth trying!

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces prepared pulled pork (I just made mine in a crockpot)

• 1 cup BBQ sauce

• 1 pound of pasta or 4 1/2 cups (It doesn’t really matter what type of pasta you use but most Mac-and-Cheese is made with elbow macaroni)

• 5 cups three cheese blend

• 4 oz. cream cheese at room temperature *optional but highly recommended

• 2 cups heavy cream

• 1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil up some water in a large stock pot (or any pot) and throw in your pasta and cook it until soft.

2. Drain out the water and scrape up any bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pot.

3. Put the drained pasta back into the stock pan and add the heavy cream and cream cheese.

4. Mix it all together until cream cheese melts.

5. Add the flour and Panko and stir until mixed.

6. Add 4 cups of the cheese. Then make sure you distribute it evenly!

7. Pour into a 9x13 inch pan that is coated with oil or butter. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes.

8. While baking the Mac-and-cheese heat up the pulled pork and add the BBQ sauce to it.

9. After the Mac-and-cheese is cooked add the BBQ pulled pork on top of the Mac and cheese. Then sprinkle the remaining one cup of the cheese on top of the BBQ pulled pork.

10. Put the Mac-and-cheese back into the oven for 10 minutes.

11. Eat and enjoy!!!

Cheesy Chili Mac-and-cheese

I was really hesitant about eating this when my aunt first made it for me. However it turned out to be really good, and I asked her for the recipe. I hope you all enjoy this version of Mac-and-cheese!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 medium onion, minced

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 1 pound ground turkey

• 2 cups water

• 1 15-oz can tomato sauce

• 8 oz (about 2 cups) elbow macaroni

• 1 1/2 -2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Instructions:

1. Put a skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Heat it up until shimmering.

2. Add the onion, chili powder, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion has softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and brown sugar and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the ground turkey and cook until it is no longer pink.

3. Stir the water and tomato sauce into the ground turkey mixture in the pan. Add the pasta and stir it to combine.

4. Cover the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Keep stirring frequently until the pasta is cooked and to prevent any of the pasta from sticking to the pan. Adjust the heat if necessary to maintain a vigorous simmer.

5. Turn off the heat and add 1 cup of cheese to the pan. Stir until melted while adding pepper and salt to your taste.

6. Sprinkle the remaining cheese (1/2 to 1 cup depending on how cheesy you want your dish) over the top and cover the pan again. Let it sit for about 2 minutes, or until the cheese melts.   

7. Enjoy!

Extra!

I know not everybody knows how to properly cook broccoli so here are 3 ways to cook it!

Method #1 boiling-

Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Add a cap full or if you want to be more precise a tablespoon of oil to the water and a tablespoon of salt. Then add the broccoli into the pot. Don’t forget to break up the broccoli heads so it’s the floret pieces when you boil them. Cook them for 6-8 minutes until tender. You may cook them for additional time if they aren’t to your desired tenderness.

Method #2 steaming in the microwave-

Place broccoli florets and stems in a microwave safe-dish. Pour 3-4 tablespoons of water over them. You may add more if needed. Cover it with another plate and microwave it on high for 3-4 minutes. Please remember to remove the lid carefully as the plate will be hot. Check if tender. If they are not tender microwave them again for additional 1 minute bursts.

Method #3 steaming on the stovetop-

Fill a pot with a few inches of water in it. Place a steamer basket on the top. Make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the steamer basket. Bring water to a simmer over medium-high heat then add the broccoli florets and stems and cover. Steam for 4 to 5 minutes until tender.