Mac and cheese is a comfort food for kids everywhere, and growing up I remember feeling thrilled everytime my mom pulled out that familiar blue Kraft box…I knew what was coming! I make macaroni and cheese for my family too, but I like to create fun variations so that the grown ups in the house (namely, my hungry, carnivorous hubby) also enjoy it and feel full. And of course, emphasis on quick and easy so mama is happy too!
One of my favorite twists on traditional mac and cheese is to add grilled chicken and mix it together for a hot and hearty dinner that is absolutely yummy. It’s a super fast way to have a meal ready, especially if I have chicken leftovers too…time saving, money saving, healthy and delicious!
Some more of my favorite ways to quickly tranform up our favorite standby of Kraft Mac and Cheese:
- Top with chopped up peppers and mushrooms and shredded four-cheese variety cheese, and bake for ten minutes at 350 degrees for a super cheesy pseudo-lasagna with veggies that is ready on the double for your hungry kids
- Crumble in some bacon and top with sliced avocados (idea courtesy of my friend Alison), great for game night or a party
- Grill some onions, brown some beef, and mix it all together for a hearty dinner meal- this is my favorite!
- Fill up an Italian loaf with mac and cheese and a little pastrami and have a delicious sandwich for lunch
How do you dress up your mac and cheese?
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This sounds great!
I dress ours up with BACON! Yum!
I love to add broccoli and chicken to mine with a breadcrumb topping. Mac n cheese any way is wonderful!
Using cut up hot dogs in it is another idea.
Sounds like something we would enjoy.
We normally eat it with beef, I’ll have to try it with chicken!
Looks yummy! I prefer to make homemade mac and cheese though. I have put in protein like beef but never tried chicken yum!
I never get to eat mac and cheese anymore. The kids don’t like it.. 🙁
I dress ours with potato chips and bacon and the crunchy, smoky flavor is so good.
Yum! We love using macaroni and cheese to jazz up different recipes.
This is one of my sons favorite things to eat!! Chicken and Mac & Cheese! Yum!
That sounds good! We like to add tuna too.
What an awesome idea to spice up an old favorite! That sounds so yummy.
I like tossing frozen veggies and/or chicken into mac & cheese. Makes it more of a meal.
My kids love Mac and Cheese! I never thought about adding chicken.
And …. now I want mac-n-cheese!
Looks great, I just saw an awesome mac and cheese dish at Chili’s
THIS LOOKS SUPER YUMMY!
That’s a great way to turn a side dish into a meal 🙂
I’ve never tried chicken in mac and cheese before but remember eating a lot of tuna casserole growing up. This sounds like a nice change!
I love mac and cheese! Now, you have me craving it.
My children and hubby love Mac ‘n Cheese. I usually just make it right out of the box but sometimes we will add chicken.
I love mac and cheese plain or dressed up, but it’s great to see these awesome suggestions!
Mmmm. Chicken makes it a full-on meal!
Yum!
That is an awesome idea!
Mac and cheese with bacon? Yumm!
Mac and Cheese is definitely one of my favorite comfort foods.
I love one dish meals. Unfortunately, my husband runs away from anything that seems like a “casserole.”