Recipes are guidelines. Most of the time I make changes to recipes. This basic mac and cheese recipe although very good, with a few adjustments
makes it even tastier. Ingredients can be changed in most recipes; adding ingredients you like and exchanging ingredients you and your family dislike. If the changes are a success, I write the changes on the recipe card so that I don’t forget for the next time.
Our family likes to rate our meals. It’s part of our dinner conversation. Is this a keeper? What changes need to be made so it becomes a keeper? Be open to feedback and don’t take it personally. This is how you will learn and grow as a home chef, always learning and making changes as needed. We also rate the recipe with <3 Hearts on the 1-5 scale. I write the heart rating on the recipe to remind me which ones we love the best. I keep my most treasured recipes in four 3 ring notebooks, with sheet protectors. If my house ever starts on fire my family knows to grab the family photos albums and the cookbooks, if possible.
You don’t need to use fancy or expensive ingredients to make recipes yummy. Some of my favorites are super simple, using very few ingredients. Be creative with your cooking. Recipes are guidelines.
1 lbs macaroni, uncooked
2 cups shredded cheddar, ½ cup more for the topping.
1 quart of cream or half and half
2 tbs butter
Place ingredients in the crock pot, stir and cook for 2 hours on high or until macaroni is desired doneness. 15 minutes before serving top with extra cheese.
My changes: Use a combination of cheeses, Colby/ Jack, Sharp Cheddar, cream cheese cut into small cubes, Pepper jack, Parmesan etc., whatever you have on hand. You could also use Swiss, Monterey jack or American. I do not recommend Mozzarella it makes the final product stringy.
I add a pinch or 2 of Cheyenne pepper, it will not add heat but will add flavor. Salt and pepper to taste. Fun add-ins: bacon crumbles and/ or jalapeno pepper seeded and chopped, broccoli, frozen peas, spinach, etc.
Don’t forget the special ingredient is love <3
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Servings: 10
Amount per serving
Calories 353
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15.6g 20%
Saturated Fat 9.4g 47%
Cholesterol 46mg 15%
Sodium 429mg 19%
Total Carbohydrate 38.5g 14%
Dietary Fiber 1.5g 5%
Total Sugars 1.5g
Protein 14.3g
Vitamin D 2mcg 8%
Calcium 205mg 16%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 243mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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If you are diabetic like me and love Mac & Cheese but think you can’t have it. Well, you can, it’s all about portion size. I love the My Plate Method, check out the below links and graphic for more information.
More information about the My Plate Method:
https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/what-is-myplate
https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/diabetes-meal-planning-the-plate-method
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