Loaded Mac and Cheese

What do you remember most about the meals you ate growing up?  Is it a specific recipe that your mom cooked for you on a regular basis?  Perhaps it’s a tradition your family partook in each evening.  Whatever it may be, the way our moms cooked for us shapes how we eat as adults (or how we don’t eat as the case may be!).

The main thing I remember about my mom’s meals was that she always had a meat, a veggie, and a carb on the dinner plate.  It was just assumed that these three parts were necessary for a meal to be complete and right or wrong, the concept has stuck with me ever since. So when I went to create a batch of mac and cheese for my family the other night, it only seemed natural to throw in some meat and veggie to incorporate that “meat, carb, veggie” combo and get it all together in one delicious combination of flavors (Or in other words: Mommie is too lazy to cook up separate parts of the meal and finds it much easier just to throw everything together into one big pot of dinner deliciousness).

I know I’m not the only one out there that likes mac and cheese.  And while this isn’t your traditional version of the well loved comfort food, it still packs a stomach pleasing punch.  Here’s what you’ll need to put together a quick “meat, carb, veggie” one dish meal that will have your family begging for seconds.

Ingredients Needed:

8 Oz. of Noodles
1 12 Oz. Turkey Kielbasa, Cut into Bite Sized Pieces
2 Tbsp of Butter
1/2 Cup of Half and Half
1/2 Cup of Lowfat Milk
1 tsp of Dijon Mustard
1 tsp of Chicken Base
2 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
11/3 Cups of Shredded Cheddar Cheese
8 Oz. of Frozen Spinach
Salt to Taste

Cook up your noodles in a large pot of salted water.  While the noodles are boiling, heat up your kielbasa in a separate skillet on medium high heat for about 5 minutes or until heated through.

Remove the kielbasa from the pan and set aside.  In the same skillet set to medium heat, melt up the two tablespoons of butter.  Add the garlic to the skillet and saute up for a minute or two.  Now add in the half and half, milk, mustard, and chicken base.  Stir up well to combine and let it get hot for 2 to 3 minutes.

Now add in your cheese and let it melt and thicken the sauce; about 4 to 5 minutes.

Add the frozen spinach and stir it in, letting it heat up for a few minutes.

Add the sausage back in, stir, and let it heat back up.

Finally, add your cooked noodles back into the mix and give it one last good stir to meld it all together.  Add salt if desired.  And as quick as that, you’re ready to eat!  Nothing like a good meat, carb, veggie one dish meal to solve the problem of what’s for dinner tonight.  Feast your eyes on the delicious results of your labor.

Loaded Mac and Cheese

Total Time: 30 min

Ingredients:

8 Oz. Noodles
1 12 Oz. Turkey Kielbasa, Cut into Bite Sized Pieces
2 Tbsp Butter
1/2 Cup Half and Half
1/2 Cup Lowfat Milk
1 tsp Dijon Mustard
1 tsp Chicken Base
2 Cloves Garlic
11/3 Cups Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
8 Oz. Frozen Spinach
Salt, to Taste

Directions:

Cook up your noodles in a large pot of salted water. While the noodles are boiling, heat up your kielbasa in a separate skillet on medium high heat for about 5 minutes or until heated through.

Remove the kielbasa from the pan and set aside. In the same skillet set to medium heat, melt up the two tablespoons of butter. Add the garlic to the skillet and saute up for a minute or two. Now add in the half and half, milk, mustard, and chicken base. Stir up well to combine and let it get hot for 2 to 3 minutes.

Now add in your cheese and let it melt and thicken the sauce; about 4 to 5 minutes.

Add the frozen spinach and stir it in, letting it heat up for a few minutes.

Add the sausage back in, stir, and let it heat back up.

Finally, add your cooked noodles back into the mix and give it one last good stir to meld it all together. Add salt if desired. And as quick as that, you're ready to eat! Nothing like a good meat, carb, veggie one dish meal to solve the problem of what's for dinner tonight. Feast your eyes on the delicious results of your labor.

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