Macaroni and “everything”
Certain weeks I just don’t feel like going to the grocery store and I am left figuring out how to make a meal out of the odds and ends I have on hand. This recipe is born of that laziness and is intended to be a springboard of ideas for your own lazy night, not a complete shopping list of must have items to recreate this recipe. Have fun and get creative with it!
Macaroni and “everything”
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
1 pound pasta (any shape you have on hand)
2-3 Tbsp butter
2-3 Tbsp flour
2-3 cups milk
Salt and pepper to taste
1.5-2 cups cheese (any variety you have on hand)
1-2 cups vegetables (onions, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes)
1-2 cups protein (ham, chicken, sausage, bacon, tuna)
Optional toppings
Bread crumbs (or crushed saltine crackers)
Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, rosemary, thyme)
Hot sauce
Directions:
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk a little at a time. Make sure each addition is fully incorporated before adding more, this will prevent your cheese sauce from being clumpy. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and season the sauce with salt and pepper. At this point you can add any seasonings you desire. This might be a pinch of nutmeg, 1 tsp garlic powder, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a dash of hot sauce.
Gradually add your cheeses to the sauce. Make sure they are either cubed or shredded before you put them in. I usually end up adding a combination like cheddar, feta, gruyere, and parmesan. It is also ok to mix in soft cheeses like cream cheese and brie. Just make sure you have some flavorful cheeses in there, if all you have is cream cheese and brie your mac and cheese might turn out runny and lacking flavor. Stir until your cheeses are completely melted and your sauce is smooth.
If any of your vegetables or proteins need to be cooked before getting added, do that now. If I have onions, I like to caramelize them before adding. I will steam or roast broccoli and root vegetables to make sure they are tender. Leafy greens like spinach and kale I will just add raw and let them wilt with the heat of the cheese. Any proteins like chicken, sausage, or bacon need to be fully cooked before getting incorporated with the rest of the ingredients.
Gently fold in your cooked pasta with your cheese sauce. Toss in any of your vegetable or protein additions and mix well.
At this point you can serve the mac and cheese as is. If you prefer a baked version, you can transfer to an oven safe dish and sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs or extra grated cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
Substitutions
Can’t do dairy? Substitute the noodles for rice and turn this into a stir fry. You can still use all of the leftover veggies and proteins that are hanging out in your refrigerator and freezer!
Don’t have noodles on hand? No problem! Whisk up 6 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, and 1/2 cup cream (or sour cream) and make a frittata. Throw all of your cheeses, proteins, and veggies in the mixture and bake at 375 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes.
Looking for more flavor? Get creative with your seasonings. Pesto, spinach artichoke dip, and hot sauce all go great in both mac and cheese or the frittata variation of this recipe.
How do I make this a complete meal?
Assuming you have most of the ingredients listed, this one is already a complete meal. The base of this recipe is carbohydrates, so it is your vegetable and protein additions that make this one complete. If you are missing proteins that would compliment the other flavors, consider adding one of the following as a side dish:
Low fat milk
Eggs
Nuts and seeds
Tofu
If you are missing the vegetables to add, don’t forget to check your freezer for options! You can also get fiber through fresh or packaged fruit. If you don’t have fresh fruit but have canned or frozen fruit be sure to add a serving on the side.
