Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Creamy Mac 'n Cheese is an anytime-food. Whether you need a dish to share for a picnic, birthday, or potluck, this can be your go-to dish!

There is no comparison between stove-top mac and baked mac. I ate plenty of stove mac 'n cheese growing up but baked mac 'n cheese was a special dish! It's so easy, I think it should be made instead of the stove kind. Too bad we live in a world of convenience foods! Everyone's missing out on the good stuff!

A super simple dish that can be doubled or quadrupled to satisfy your crowd. With six ingredients, it doesn't get any easier!

I love the crunchy baked top but for this pan I stirred the mac once while it was in the oven. I was requested to make this for a birthday party and I know my nephew doesn't like the crunchy ones. ;)

This recipe is from my Great Aunt Donna.

Baked Macaroni & Cheese Recipe 

1 lb. elbow macaroni, cooked

4 Tbsp. butter 

1 lb. velveeta (or generic brand) cheese, cubed

3 green onions, chopped

2 cups milk

1/4 tsp. pepper
salt for water, about 1/4 tsp.

Cook macaroni according to the instructions on the box add salt to water. Drain, then pour into a 13x9 pan and add the butter. Add cubed cheese, green onions, milk, and pepper. Mix well.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 35-45 minutes. 

If you don't like a crunchy top, stir once or twice during the cooking time for a creamy mac and cheese. If you like it crunchy, just pop it in the oven and leave it!

This simple recipe is sure to be a hit at your next gathering! 

What's your favorite potluck dish?

Comment below!

Megan

Stir-Fry with Garlic-Crusted Chicken

I love vegetables and one of my favorite ways to eat them is in stir-fry! It's a quick, healthy dinner full of bright colored veggies. I can't wait for our garden to start producing this summer so we can have lots of fresh zucchini, squash, peppers, and tomatoes! 

I made this recipe up as I was hurrying to get dinner on the table. You can't ever go wrong with garlic and sesame oil, right?! I don't think so! I absolutely love the way the chicken turned out- moist and coated in garlic, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Such a yummy flavor combo.

Stir-Fry with Garlic-Crusted Chicken Recipe

3-4 Chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes

4 tsp. minced garlic, divided

2 tsp. soy sauce (may use less) + extra for drizzling 

2 tsp. sesame oil (may use less) + extra for drizzling

2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided

1 red bell pepper, cut in squares

1 yellow bell pepper, cut in squares

4-6 carrots, cut in thin strips

1 box (8oz.) mushrooms, cleaned and sliced

1 med. onion, sliced

2 zucchini, sliced

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil until pan is very hot. Add cubed chicken to pan as well as 2 tsp. garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Stir chicken to coat and cook evenly. Make sure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Pour chicken into a bowl and cover to keep warm.

In the same skillet add 1 Tbsp. olive oil and heat pan. When hot add red pepper, yellow pepper, carrots, mushrooms, onion, and zucchini. Add 2 tsp. garlic and drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over veggies. Cook, stirring almost constantly, until veggies are bright, shiny, and soft. 

When finished, add the chicken to the skillet. If you need time to work on other sides, this dish will stay perfect if covered and the burner turned to low-heat, this also helps the harder carrots and peppers soften. 

Serve over rice or noodles. Other great sides: egg rolls, dumplings, fruit. 

What are your favorite stir-fry ingredients?

Comment below!

Megan

Creamy Alfredo Sauce

This sauce is the best alfredo ever!!

It tastes just like that creamy, cheesy alfredo from Red Lobster or Olive Garden. Sometimes I make the alfredo with shrimp and pretend I'm at Red Lobster. Or I add chicken and steamed broccoli like Olive Garden.

It is SO simple & rich! Believe me - you will be licking the spoon!

To make the alfredo sauce

You will need 4 ingredients: butter, half & half, garlic, and parmesan. 

In a small saucepan, melt the butter. 

Once butter melts, add the half & half and simmer for 5 minutes.

Stir in garlic and cheese. 

Stir until cheese breaks down and heat through.

And that's it! Creamy, cheesy, garlic-y, yummy alfredo sauce! 

Alfredo Sauce Recipe

1/4 cup butter

1 cup half & half

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 cups parmesan

parsley for garnish

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Add half & half and simmer for 5 minutes.

Add garlic and cheese and stir quickly to break up cheese. Heat through.

If sauce is too thick for your liking, add more half & half or milk to thin and heat.

Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Recipe adapted from All Recipes.

I love making angel hair and alfredo sauce when I need a really quick dinner! You can make this in about 10 minutes since the pasta only has to cook for 4 minutes! 

One of my absolute favorite comfort foods with ingredients I always have on hand! 

Did you lick the spoon?

Megan