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10.06.2010

Homemade Mac & Cheese

A few years ago, one of my friends gave me a recipe for Homemade Mac & Cheese and it has become a staple in our house. Over the years, I have tweaked the recipe a little bit, so here is my version!
 This is what you need:
1lb box of pasta (I usually use macaroni, shells or cavatappi (curly pasta, shown)
1 container of Alfredo found in the refrigerated section (I use the light version)
1 can diced tomatoes (I use the Basil & Oregeno can)
2-3 cups of cheddar cheese (depending on how cheese-y you want it)
1 cup bread crumbs (I use Italian seasoned bread crumbs)
1 T olive oil
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Boil your noodles according to package directions, but for 1 minute less than it says.
Drain your noodles, but reserve 1 cup of the boiling hot water.
In your pot, combine cooked noodles, alfredo sauce & tomatoes (don't drain the tomatoes). Stir.
Side Note: If you don't like diced tomatoes, you can omit them!

Then add the 1 cup of hot water & cheese (I usually reserve a little cheese to sprinkle on top). Stir.
Spray your cooking dish with Pam & then pour all the ingredients into your dish.
(I always use my Corning Ware dish, but a 9x13 pan would work just fine)
Sprinkle some of your extra cheese on top.
Take your 1 cup of bread crumbs & olive oil & mix together in a separate bowl.
Take your bread crumb mixture & sprinkle over the top.
Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes (until cheese is bubbly)
You can bake it covered or un-covered, it just depends on if you want your crumb topping a little crispy or not!
Yum. Yum. Yum.
This meal is a perfect Fall/Winter meal & would go great with a nice green Casaer salad and/or some french bread. And, I pair it with a glass of red wine!

This is a Larson Family favorite, it is SO easy to make and both my girls will actually eat it!
Enjoy!

17 comments:

  1. Ummmmm, HELLO!!!! As if mac and cheese could ever get better! Love this twist on it. Love it. You had me at tomatoes.
    Want, wanty, want. Now.
    Mac Crack.

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  2. i'm definitely going to try that soon! how yummy!!! thanks for sharing:)

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  3. Yummy! I'm always looking for meatless meals that are still hearty...can't wait to try this!

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  4. Um, pretty sure that is going to be on the menu tonight! Served with red wine. :) Thanks for the recipe.

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  5. Ooh, yum! I'll definitely be trying this one!

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  6. oh my gosh that looks great!! i will have to try it out sometime. Thanks for the recipe

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  7. i think i will try this!!!

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  8. Thanks for sharing this one Mel! I am putting it on my grocery list for the week. I think it looks better than PDub's version!!

    And now I need to go pour myself a glass of red wine. :)

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  9. Mac Crack-- haha! Julie is hilarious. And I am sooo making this... too bad I want to be eating it right this very second...

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  10. oh my goodness this looks AMAZING!!!!!

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  11. So yummy! This is an awesome recipe- I've used it a few times, now. I've also changed it up a little- I added 2 diced jalepenos to add some spice- so good!!

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  12. This was wonderful. I overcooked it because of running around so it was a little dry but the kids loved it and I couldn't stop eating it! Couldn't find lite Alfredo though so was unhappy about the extra fat, but it was a treat!

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  13. Buitoni changed to a larger size of the alfredo container - like we need more fat, lol. Do you remember how many ounces the original container was?

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