Quick Mac and Cheese

Start to finish this will take about 15 minutes and render a lucious base for almost any meal. You can control the ingredients as well to adapt to almost any palette (except lactose free). It also keeps very well making for great left overs.

Ingredients

  • Any boxed pasta shape you like (elbow, rigatoni, penne, spirals, shells, etc…) cooked as per the instructions on the box. (reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water)

  • 1 8 oz block of sharp cheddar cheese (to be hand grated OR if need be a bag of pre-shredded cheddar cheese)

  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese cubed small for easy melting later

  • 1 tablspoon butter cubed small for easy melting later

  • 1/4 cup of milk

  • If it is too thick; thin it out with up to another 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water

  • Salt and pepper to taste [we like a bit heavier (1 teaspoon) pepper and less (1/4 teaspoon) salt]

  • 1/4 - 1/2 cup of Panko Bread Crumbs (can use more if you want it with a heavier crust)


Assembly

  1. Cook entire box of pasta as per instuctions on the box

  2. While it is cooking, grate the chedder, cube the cream cheese and measure out the milk (reserve about 1/2 cup of the chedder to sprinkle on top)

  3. When pasta is done, drain but do not rinse (be sure to reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water just in case)

  4. Place in baking dish of your choice

  5. While still hot mix in all the cheese and butter (cheddar except the reserved 1/2 cup for the topping, cream cheese, and butter) into the hot pasta in the baking dish

  6. Add the milk and continue to mix until it is all melted together (you may have to put this ontop of a low heat to get it all to melt together pending how fast you got the cheese into the hot pasta) If it is too thick this is when you can add some pasta water and continue to mix until creamy

  7. At this point you can add cooked vegitables or protein to your liking. Get creative! It is also great as is.

  8. Once all melted and mixed together add reserved cheese to top

  9. Sprinkle with Panko bread crumbs

  10. Place under broiler until browned and bubbly - 5 - 10 minutes but watch closely to not burn it.


To Serve

Serve immediately. Top with tomato sauce or chopped tomatos for some color and acid.

Easy and delicious to reheat as well.