Did you grow up loving Mac and Cheese? If you are like me, you probably did... however, when you reached adulthood, did you notice that it just didn't quite have that same magic taste that it did when you were younger? Well, if that is you, I figured out a way to fix that...
Enter: Cheez-it Mac and Cheese!
It all started last night when my family and I went over to visit my brother in law to see how he was recovering from his appendicitis surgery (that is where they remove your appendix). With so many people coming over and us only being able to stop by around dinner time, his girlfriend decided she better feed us all. She made a dish she loved from her childhood that she knew kids and adults alike would both enjoy. It would be easy to make, easy to clean up, and just one dish would feed a decent amount of people. Thus, Cheez-it Mac and Cheese was concocted!
What is Cheez-it Mac and Cheese?
It is a giant bowel of awesomeness, that is what it is! Basically it is regular Mac and Cheese with toasted Cheez-its sprinkled all over the top of it. You can even add bacon bits if you are feeling super adventurous. The one I tasted last night did not have the bacon bits and the recipe I am going to talk about today will not include them.
How do you make it?
This recipe is a combination of what I have read and what my brother in law's girlfriend said she used to prepare the meal last night:
- First, cook the pasta (boil water, add pasta and let it soften for several minutes until desired firmness)
- Next melt butter in a pan on low heat.
- Add flower and milk to the melted butter and stir... gradually increase the heat as you are stirring.
- Once the mixture is thick and bubbly (should take 5 minutes or so), mix in cheese and continue stirring until the cheese is melted.
- Remove the pan from heat and pour the pasta into the cheese mixture. Make sure to stir the noodles until they are evenly covered with the cheese sauce.
- Then place the pasta mixed with cheese in a casserole dish and sprinkle crushed Cheez-its over the top.
- Next, bake the dish at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until the Cheez-its start to brown.
- Finally... enjoy!
Unfortunately I forgot to take any pictures last night as I was partaking in this wonderful dish so I had to pull the images from here: http://wishesndishes.com/cheez-it-macaroni-and-cheese/
The dish itself probably takes about 15-20 minutes of prep time and then another 15-20 minutes of cook time. It serves about 6-8 people if prepared in a medium sized casserole dish. Perfect for a little family get together!
Overall, the dish really looks like something only kids would enjoy, but try it and see if you still feel that way. It combines 3 of my all time favorite food groups;
- Cheese
- Cheez-Its,
- Pasta
With that kind of combination, how can you go wrong? :)
Try it and let me know what you think!
Live well my friends!
Sources:
http://wishesndishes.com/cheez-it-macaroni-and-cheese/
Image Sources:
http://wishesndishes.com/cheez-it-macaroni-and-cheese/
http://www.pixabay.com
