I grew up with a Mom who made mac & cheese (usually Kraft) according to the box's label then embellished at the end with tuna. Poor man's tuna noodle casserole.
If I make box mac & cheese (usually Annie's) according to the box's label then embellish with tuna and frozen peas, bake in the oven, and the last 5 min in the oven add a blended cheese to the top.
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September 23, 2018, 01:00 PM
lyman
wife is GF, so we use Annies, or Aldis,
mac, shells, whatever pasta the cheese sauce, add a slice of american or 2 is tasty, or if fancy add some shredded gouda etc, options are endless,
we don't add meats, but my brother loves a version at a local place that adds crabmeat
Sometimes I'll make Rachel Ray's Italian Mac and Cheese, which has sausage, tomatoes, and mushrooms in it. (But that's more akin to something like a pizza casserole than true "mac and cheese".)
Originally posted by tatortodd: I grew up with a Mom who made mac & cheese (usually Kraft) according to the box's label then embellished at the end with tuna. Poor man's tuna noodle casserole.
If I make box mac & cheese (usually Annie's) according to the box's label then embellish with tuna and frozen peas, bake in the oven, and the last 5 min in the oven add a blended cheese to the top.
Yep, ate a lot of that through college. It was the step up from ramen.
-- I always prefer reality when I can figure out what it is.
I like mine with lobster meat and a few shavings of truffle.
September 23, 2018, 01:28 PM
Jim Shugart
I make a basic (Béchamel) white sauce on the thin side and then stir in some grated extra sharp cheddar after the heat is turned off. I sprinkle a mixture of Panko bread crumbs, some butter, and some grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top and brown it quickly in a very hot oven. If you use an aged cheddar then the mixture will separate if you boil it after the cheese is added.
Here's Chef John's take on this:
You can add an infinite variety to stuff to this, but that's like putting a bra on the Venus of Milo. JMHO, YMMV, etc.
Edited to add: Yeah, I'd go for lobster and/or truffles as additives.
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September 23, 2018, 01:47 PM
Jim Shugart
^ ^ ^ ^ Awesome.
When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth. - George Bernard Shaw
September 23, 2018, 01:51 PM
Johnny 3eagles
Add cut up Spam.
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September 23, 2018, 03:12 PM
lyman
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Shugart: I make a basic (Béchamel) white sauce on the thin side and then stir in some grated extra sharp cheddar after the heat is turned off. I sprinkle a mixture of Panko bread crumbs, some butter, and some grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top and brown it quickly in a very hot oven. If you use an aged cheddar then the mixture will separate if you boil it after the cheese is added.
Here's Chef John's take on this:
You can add an infinite variety to stuff to this, but that's like putting a bra on the Venus of Milo. JMHO, YMMV, etc.
Edited to add: Yeah, I'd go for lobster and/or truffles as additives.
my Mother and Grandmothers (and a slew of relatives) make something similar for family functions,
too much work for every day meals, (when the stove top box will work) but damn tasty,
I actually like the Kraft mac and cheese, but I throw away 1/3-1/2 the pasta so that it's twice as cheesy and use more butter and just a splash of milk.
Lobster or crab mac and cheese is very good, but as a side dish, not an entire entrée.
September 23, 2018, 03:28 PM
mr kablammo
quote:
Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles: Add cut up Spam.
This. How was spam not mentioned in the first few posts?
Use flat egg noodles with sour cream, then you can call it Noodles Romanoff and eat like a toff and not a pleb.
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September 23, 2018, 04:37 PM
dsiets
I like to add grilled brats of various types or keilbasa to my kraft boxed mac&cheese when I have some leftover. But at some point it's just better to start all over and do homemade w/ a pasta, a blend of cheeses (I like a touch of blue cheese), sausage, spice, crumbs, and go from there.
Any vegetables, I prefer to have on the side.
September 23, 2018, 05:23 PM
Gambit
Break up some seasoned pork rinds and sprinkle on top for an easy add.
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September 23, 2018, 05:52 PM
Anarion
I'll sometimes split 2 Hebrew National dogs in half length-wise and then dice. Put in to cook with the macaroni/shells & mix with cheese per directions.
============================== On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days and other fields will bear the fruits of victory. Gen. Douglas MacArthur
September 23, 2018, 06:24 PM
46and2
Fancy variations of Mac & Cheese have been all the rage for a while now. There's a specialty restaurant with a bunch of them in one of the other mountain towns in CO.
September 23, 2018, 06:25 PM
sig77
My mom always made it with velveeta and added a can of Tuna. Sounds strange but we love it.
There are 3 kinds of people, those that understand numbers and those that don't.
for every day meals, (when the stove top box will work) but damn tasty,