Mac and Cheese

Having raised two girls I've made my share of the boxed Mac and Cheese. I'm not a fan. The smell of that dried cheese is just not appealing to me. Recently, I made some Mac and Cheese as a side dish and now wonder why I ever bothered with the box.

NEED:
Elbow macaroni ( Use what you need to make how much you need. Keep in mind 1 cup uncooked is 2 1/2 cups cooked )
Finely shredded cheese - any flavor you wish
Butter
Milk
Parsley flakes

Cook the macaroni as the box says ( add a splash of oil to keep the noodles from sticking together)

Drain - but leave in the hot pot.

Add cheese...the amount will depend on how many noodles you cooked. Start with 3/4 of a cup. Stir in right away, while the noodles are still hot. If it is not coated enough for you taste add some more cheese.

Once the cheese is mixed in ADD 1/4 cup butter and mix until all blended.

Add 1/8 cup of milk and stir.

Top with a layer of parsley flakes and stir lightly.

ENJOY!

Spaghetti Pie

A bit of different take on your standard spaghetti.

NEED:
1 egg
1/3 pounds of spaghetti
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 diced onion
1/8 cup butter
2/3 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
2/3 pound of sausage ( I used bulk sweet Italian sausage )
1/3 cup water
1/3 can tomato paste
1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/8 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cook spaghetti, drain and place in a bowl. Add beaten egg and Parmesan cheese. Blend together and place in a greased pie pan. Press to sides and bottom to form a bit of a shell.
Saute onion in butter until tender. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and Italian seasoning. Spoon into the center of the noodles and spread evenly.
Cook sausage until no longer pink. Drain. Stir in water and tomato paste. Simmer, uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes. Spoon over sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella and cheddar.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.
Let sit 5 minutes before cutting.

Diner Mac and Cheese

Why make mac & cheese from a box when you can make it from scratch. This is an old southern diner recipe. It is very easy and well worth the few extra minutes of time.
NEED:
2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
1 stick of butter
1 can evaporated milk
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
2 large eggs
bread crumbs...seasoned or plain...I use Italian seasoned.

Cook the macaroni noodles according to package directions.

Once the noodles are done, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and drain again.

Place the stick of butter in a small pan over low heat. Stir occasionally, until the butter is melted.

In a small bowl, beat the eggs and pour them over the noodles and mix them until blended.

Add the cheese and the evaporated milk and stir all until blended.

Pour in the butter and stir, again, til blended.

Spray an 8 x 8 baking pan with cooking spray. Pour the mixture in the pan and sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

It takes barely any time to create this out of the world mac & cheese.

ENJOY!

Italian Hamburger Helper

One day I asked my daughter what she had made for her and her husbands dinner and she said; "you know that hamburger, pasta thing you make and leave on the stove and eat when you are hungry." I had no clue what she was talking about. When she explained it it made perfect sense. When everyone was having a busy day I would make this, cover it and leave it on low on the stove so whenever someone came home they could grab something to eat. I just had no idea that was what they called it!

NEED:
1 pound of ground meat, browned and drained
16 ounces of the pasta of your choice
26 ounce can or jar of pasta sauce of your choice. ( I use one that has a 4 cheese
blend )
2 cups of finely shredded cheese of your choice ( I use a pre packaged 3 cheese blend )
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
salt
cooking oil or your choice
1 small onion, finely chopped
garlic powder - to taste
pepper - to taste
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper - optional

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the water and a "splash" of cooking oil. Stir the pasta a couple times to spread the oil around..the oil keeps the pasta from sticking together.
Brown and drain the ground meat then add the onion and allow to cook on low for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add pasta sauce to the meat and mix well. Bring to a low simmer.
Add the oregano, garlic powder and pepper, cayenne pepper ( if using )
**I usually do not measure my spices when making this. I just lightly sprinkle them, evenly over the top of the meat and stir. If there is a spice you really like the flavor of use more..something you don't care for..use less**

Add the shredded cheese and stir until melted then add the pasta. Stir the mixture until everything is distributed evenly.
Cover and turn the temperature to low for at least 15 minutes to give all the flavors a chance to blend together.
Serve alone or with a salad and or garlic bread.

ENJOY!

Pasta and Italian Sausage

Very simple yet very good.

NEED:
16 ounce package of the pasta of your choice
Grated Parmesan cheese - freshly grated or in the jar
4 Italian sausages ( either sweet, mild or hot ) skinless
1 1/2 tablespoon Oregano
1 tablespoon dried Parsley

Cook the pasta as directed on the package.
Using a grill pan or fry pan, cook the sausage over a medium heat. I like to place it in the pan, add about 5 ice cube. When you turn the sausage, add a few more ice cubes, as needed. The idea is to add a bit of moisture but not have the sausage sit in too much water. However, do not allow the pan to go dry. This is very important as you are using skinless sausage.

When done, drain the pasta and place in large bowl. Add the grated cheese. The amount you add will depend on your taste. Sprinkle with the oregano and parsley. Mix well, until cheese appears melted. Cut the sausages into bit sizes pieces and add to the mixture. Give a light toss and serve.
Serves 4.

ENJOY!