‘Mac and Cheese’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Recipe: SkinnyTaste Baked Broccoli Macaroni & Cheese

October 29, 2018 · Narrative

Now that Fall weather is here, it’s the perfect time to be serving up comfort food, and this Baked Broccoli Macaroni & Cheese from Gina at SkinnyTaste is just the ticket.

I’ll be honest. I haven’t made mac and cheese in a few years. Mostly because my kids don’t really eat it. I know, I’m just as shocked as you are. They also aren’t big fans of cheese. Go figure. #cheeseismyhappyplace

But last week, Nick happened to mention that he would eat mac and cheese if I made it, as long as I didn’t make “on of my weird recipes,” and a friend raved about SkinnyTaste’s recipe for Baked Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese, so here we are.

I love how easy the recipe is to make, and cooking the broccoli directly in the pot with the pasta definitely is a time-saver. Because I do a lot of work with the folks at Cabot, I used two of their Cheddar varieties (namely a sharp and a medium) and hand-grated the cheese. Avoid buying pre-grated cheese any time you can – it makes a world of difference in taste.

The recipe was done in just over thirty minutes, which is such a huge help on busy Fall weeknights. With both kids doing cheer, four of our five weeknights are crazy, and making this in the beginning of the week made for relatively easy dinners. The only drawback? Madeline didn’t like it. She likes broccoli, and says she likes mac and cheese but … she remains my pickiest eater by far and is still a work in progress. Nick ate very basic bland food at her age (10) too, so I’m hoping she grows out of it.

Between the cheesiness, the slightly crisp topping, the bits of broccoli … this was the perfect comfort food dinner and despite my ten-year-old’s protests, it will go into our semi-regular rotation. Bonus points for it being reasonably healthy too!

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Recipe: Panera Macaroni and Cheese

September 8, 2017 · Narrative

Whether you’re obsessed with Panera’s macaroni and cheese, or you’re just looking for a recipe that embodies comfort food, this dish is the perfect thing to serve up this month.

Truth be told, I’m not even sure why I make macaroni and cheese anymore. My kids used to LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Now … it just doesn’t excite them as much anymore.

I would say their taste buds are growing up, but I still like mac and cheese, so that’s clearly not it.

No matter, I still make it occasionally when I’m looking for an easy yet filling meal, and bonus points for a version that is quick to make and only dirties one pan.

Because, really, who wants to toil away in the kitchen any longer than necessary?

If you’ve been to Panera in the last few years, you might be familiar with their mac and cheese. Super creamy, very definitely cheesy, it’s the kind that seriously sticks to your ribs. So when I saw a recipe for a knock-off version, I had to try it.

Plus I had all the ingredients on hand, so win/win.

The recipe is as easy as it looks, with the most complicated part of the directions being to continue to stir the pasta as it cooks in the milk.

I can handle that.

For the cheese, since I do a lot of work with Cabot, I, of course, used freshly grated Cabot cheddar. The seriously sharp cheddar to be exact. I prefer to grate it as needed, instead of buying the pre-shredded bags. It just tastes so much better.

Does this taste like Panera’s version?

It’s pretty darn close, and I would definitely make it again. I served it alongside roasted broccoli (my kids’ favorite vegetable/preparation), and it would be great with the broccoli mixed in, or with pieces of grilled chicken mixed in, for a little variation.

However you serve it, it’s a less-than-thirty-minute meal that will warm you from the inside out.

Hungry for more mac and cheese recipes?
For a more upscale, fancier version, this recipe is still one of my favorites, as is this five cheese version. So decadent and worth every calorie.

Hope you have a great weekend!
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Recipe: Macaroni & Cheese {#CascadeShiningReviews}

October 16, 2014 · Ad-Free, Narrative

A deliciously cheesy and easy macaroni and cheese recipe AND clean dishes after a run through the dishwasher? Sign me up.

The weather is starting to (finally) match the calendar and cooler temperatures are upon us. Which means it’s the perfect time for comfort food.

But, truth be told, I can find a reason for comfort food twelve months out of the year.

I mean. Really.

And very few dishes scream COMFORT FOOD quite like mac and cheese.

Besides the delicious cheese factor.

And the fact that it’s kid-approved.

And, well, ok, Mom-approved.

Is the notion that it is perfect for a crazy weeknight of cheer or scout meetings.

Or a crazy weeknight of life in general.

Who are we kidding?

Whether you make it ahead to just heat and eat, or throw it together while supervising homework duties, it’s simple and flavorful, and just downright pure awesome in a dish.

I made a double batch and invited some friends over.

For a few reasons.

I’m a big fan of cooking and sharing. Saves me the math of trying to halve recipes for my family, and I don’t have to worry about leftovers languishing in the fridge. And who doesn’t love a random text like “Hey, plenty of food, come on over for dinner and take the night off tonight?” I mean, those are kind of my favorite to both send and receive. And I had more Cascade Platinum packs to share, and inviting friends over is the perfect opportunity to give them away.

Because if those Cascade packs are going to show off, it’s totally going to be all over the starchiness that gets stuck on dishes after mac and cheese has been stuck on it and sitting for awhile.

Amiright?

This recipe for mac and cheese is one of our go-tos. Simple, using on-hand ingredients, and a pinch-hitter for when you haven’t planned ahead or want to host impromptu friends.

Which pretty much describes most days.

And just like the last time I mentioned the Cascade Platinum pacs, they are giving away another prize pack to a lucky reader. One winner will be chosen from the comments below. You have from now until midnight EST on Friday, October 25. You may receive additional entries by following me on Instagram, following me on Twitter, and tweeting this giveaway. Good luck!

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Recipe: Three Ingredient Mac and Cheese

July 23, 2014 · Narrative

Three ingredients + one pot + twenty minutes = a comfort food win in the form of this mac and cheese.

For some reason, I have three heads of cauliflower in my refrigerator. I think they just get pushed to the back, and I forget I haven’t used it yet, and then I grab another one when I’m at the store. Which means I was definitely having cauliflower for dinner tonight.

The only problem?

One kid most definitely doesn’t like cauliflower.

And the other will only eat it sometimes.

And, well, cauliflower doesn’t really make a whole meal.

So while I did make cauliflower tonight, I made something else for the kids.

Namely this mac and cheese.

We are forever on the look out for THE ONE. This recipe might be the one to beat.

I mean, when the going in position is three ingredients, one pot, and twenty minutes, it can only go up from there.

This recipe was everything mac and cheese should be. Creamy, but not too creamy. Tender bites of the pasta shells. Cheesy.

Kid-friendly, but with a richness that adults will approve of as well.

And simple. One pot and done. Perfect for our crazy night tonight when we all needed to be fed and out the door by six pm.

I do believe we have found our new go-to mac and cheese recipe.

You know … until the next one comes along.

Hungry for more easy dinners?
This Lemony Greek Chicken is the awesome when you want tender, juicy, and delicious chicken.
Turkey Meatballs from Gwyneth Paltrow are simple and approved by my crew.
I don’t make pasta as much as I would like to, but when I do, these Stuffed Shells are one of our favorites.

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Recipe: Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

September 30, 2013 · Narrative

When I was putting away groceries last night, I got a little wistful.

I haven’t had pasta in over six months. And I miss it just a teeny bit.

And sushi. Specifically the most amazing Monkey Roll that ever was.

I used to have them once a week (and, coughcough, sometimes more) and they are amazing.

And man, I seriously miss those.

The other day Madeline asked me how much longer I was going to be doing this “food thing.”

Her adorableness overwhelms me sometimes.

“You lost weight and you look great. I mean, you looked great before too, and now you look even better. You should be done.”

She is very politically correct, and I love that about her.

And I’m almost there. My goal is to release the grip by the end of the year.

Which is pretty much the most perfect way to end the year and usher in a new one. Full of exciting promise, clean slates, and refreshed beginnings.

And until then?

I’m still not eating pasta or my beloved Monkey Rolls.

So in the meantime?

We find other ways to satisfy the occasional craving with new takes on cauliflower.

And this time, that means Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.

It was so simple. And so ridiculously cheesy. That you almost don’t miss the actual real macaroni noodles.

I used frozen cauliflower in those steamer bags, to make it even easier, and when it was done, I drizzled a smidge of hot sauce over the top. And then I promptly inhaled it.

A definite make again.

Whether or not you’ve given up pasta and beloved Monkey Rolls.

Hungry for more ways to get creative with cauliflower?
These Cauliflower Bread Sticks were another great riff, and delish!
This Mock Shrimp Risotto was almost as good as the real deal.
Cauliflower Crust Pizza for fulfilling all your pizza loving dreams.
And lastly, Cauliflower Garlic Mashed Potatoes will satisfy your comfort food craving.

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