Mommie Cooks!

Sometimes Simple, Sometimes Grand, Always Declicious

Subscribe by Email

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • FOOD
  • Health
  • At Home
  • Family
  • Contact

Loaded Mac and Cheese

June 9, 2010 By Julie 14 Comments

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.

Print

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.

You Might Also Like:

Default ThumbnailGermanbasa Default ThumbnailDump (Don’t let the name fool you, it’s delicious!) Turkey Goulash Kicked up Slow Cooker Chili

Filed Under: Food, Main Course, One Dish Meals, Turkey

« Mexicali Rice
Black and Blue Sorbet »

Comments

  1. Ma What's 4 dinner says

    June 9, 2010 at 7:06 am

    One of my faves. Love throwing everything in the house into the Mac n Cheese. Clean out the fridge and fill out the bellies!

    Lots of yummy love,
    Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner
    http://www.mawhats4dinner.com

    Reply
  2. Laurie says

    June 9, 2010 at 7:13 am

    Fantastic take on mac and cheese. I may give this a try. Only one hitch: I need enough for 100. Found this via SITS.

    Reply
  3. Monet says

    June 9, 2010 at 10:44 am

    Julie,
    I'm not sure if I like anything better than a big gooey bowl of macaroni and cheese. Such comfort food. I loved reading your adaptations. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. 5 Star Foodie says

    June 9, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    Sounds terrific with spinach and kielbasa!

    Reply
  5. M @ Betty Crapper says

    June 9, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    My meals growing up always had to have a garden salad. I didn't like cooked vegetables very much. it's funny how some of the rules we grew up eating by stick with us.

    Reply
  6. Gringation Cancun says

    June 9, 2010 at 4:30 pm

    So good and so simple! I'm saving this one.

    Reply
  7. Chef Dennis says

    June 9, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    that looks really good!!! I'm not a big fan of kielbasa but your recipe makes it look so tasty!

    Reply
  8. Biren says

    June 9, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    That's one good looking mac & cheese. I like the addition of the spinach.

    Reply
  9. MaryMoh says

    June 9, 2010 at 6:41 pm

    This looks very delicious. So much good stuff there. Would be great for lunch.

    Reply
  10. The Drama Mama says

    June 9, 2010 at 11:07 pm

    As a confirmed pastaholic, this is GOOD. It's amazing how many ways you can make mac n cheese.

    Reply
  11. Joey @ Big Teeth and Clouds says

    June 10, 2010 at 7:30 am

    I'm sure mom and dad would love that. The kid is still a fan of having noodles unadulterated by any kind of mix-in. I wonder what age the grow out of that.

    Reply
  12. Holly says

    June 11, 2010 at 3:36 am

    I love me a good mac and cheese. I was not expecting the kielbasa…great addition.

    Reply
  13. Janitra says

    December 25, 2011 at 9:07 pm

    Tried this like seconds ago and I must say, perfectly amazing adaptation for such a simple meal. Tastes amazing. Thank you!

    • Julie replied: — December 27th, 2011 @ 11:17 am

      Thanks so much for letting me know Janitra. So glad you enjoy it!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Click to cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


Meet Julie


  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Subscribe by Email

Search This Blog

Pinterest @MommieCooks

Visit Mommie Cooks's profile on Pinterest.

POPULAR POSTS

  • Morning Time Breakfast Granola Cups 6 views
  • Shrimp Appetizer Delight 6 views
  • Quickie Delectable Puff Pastry 3 views
  • Beyond the Basics: The Science of Sponge Cake 3 views
  • Lusciously Lemony Lentil Soup 2 views
  • Family Friendly Fridays: Toblerone Fondue 2 views
  • Work with Me
  • TERMS & CONDITIONS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
Copyright © 2023 Mommie Cooks · Custom Design by Anchored Design · Built on Genesis Framework