Dressed Up Kraft Mac 'n Cheese

My family members are huge Kraft Mac and Cheese fans. That's fine. I mean, who doesn't like to go back to their childhood comfort foods every now and then. Other than the occasional tuna we tended to eat this dish as prepared from the box as a side dish. I decided to do something different and dress it up a little. This was a huge hit and everyone requested that I make it more often. It's so easy and so yummy!

Dressed Up Kraft Mac 'n Cheese

Ingredients:

        2 boxes Mac 'n Cheese

        2 cans Tuna, drained

        1-1/2 c Broccoli Crowns, cut up

        1-1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

        4oz Gouda, shredded

        1 c Bread Crumbs

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Cook and Prepare Mac 'n Cheese according to box directions by returning to cookpot.
3. Mix in tuna. Make sure to save the juice for any kitties you may have.
4. Stir in broccoli and garlic powder. Mix well.
5. Combine the Gouda with the mix.
6. Top with bread crumbs.
7. Cook for 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread crumbs have a golden brown colour.

Enjoy!

            Ingrid

Baked Penne with Beef.

The other day we were at the Cream Cheese Festival. While there I bought a cookbook with Philadelphia Cream Cheese recipes.  We weren't able to find any of the cooking creme called for in the recipe so I made a substitute. I also adjusted the amounts of each ingredient. My family loved this! 

Baked Penne with Beef

Ingredients:

        1 lb Penne, cooked

        2 lbs Ground Beef

        1/2 cup Onions, chopped

        1/2 cup Green Bell Pepper, chopped

        24 oz Pasta Sauce

        1 cup Mozzarella, shredded

        2 cups Cooking Creme

  

For Cooking Creme:

        8 oz Cream Cheese

        1/2 cup Beef Broth

        1 Tbs Italian Seasoning

        3 Tbs Parmesan, grated

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cook Penne, al dente.
3. Brown meat with onions and peppers.
4. Stir in spaghetti sauce, 3/4 cup cooking creme and 1/2 cup mozzarella.
5. Cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or mozzarella is melted.
6. Add pasta, mix lightly.
7. Spoon into casserole dish.
8. Top with remaining cooking creme and mozzarella, and cover. 
9. Bake 15 minutes, uncover, and continue cooking 5 more minutes. 

Tip:  Italian Sausage can be used in place of Ground Beef.

Enjoy!

            Ingrid