Recipe: Macaroni and Cheese Ham Pie

Estimated Cost:  $8.50

Prep Time:  15 minutes

Cooking Time:  40 minutes

Serves:  6

I nabbed this recipe from the Betty Crocker website, I wish I could claim it as mine, but it was so delicious I felt there was nothing that needed changing.  So good that by the time I finish entering this recipe I’m going to want to make it!

3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup diced cooked ham
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 1/4 cups milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup Bisquick
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Grease a 10-inch glass deep-dish pie plate with cooking spray. You can also use a glass 13×9-inch casserole pan. **Do Not use a pie pan smaller then 10-inch, I did and the ingredients did not fit!

2. In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of the cheese, the ham, and the uncooked macaroni. Spread in baking pan.

3. In an electric mixer OR a blender, place milk and eggs. Cover; mix/blend on medium speed until smooth. Add Bisquick and salt; blend until smooth. Pour over mixture in baking pan.

4. Bake at 400°F for 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Mike’s comments:

This recipe makes for a perfect all-in-one Sunday brunch solution. I couldn’t recommend this recipe any more strongly.

Recipe: Quick and Easy Baked Mac and Cheese

Estimated Cost:  $6.50

Prep Time:  10 minutes

Cook Time:  30 minutes

Serves:  6

This inexpensive and time saving mac and cheese recipe is a guaranteed hit.  Kids of all ages will appreciate the crushed Cheez-It topping.

2 cups macaroni pasta
1 cup mayonnaise
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 lb. extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup crushed Cheez-It crackers
chopped chives for garnish (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Cook the macaroni pasta following the packaging instructions; drain well.

3. In a large mixing bowl combine the cooked pasta, mayonnaise, cream of chicken soup, and cheese; mix well. Pour mixture into a 13×9-inch casserole pan. Top with the crushed Cheez-It crackers.

4. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

Mike’s comments:

When time is short this is one of my go-to recipes.

Recipe: Franks with Mac and Cheese

Estimated Cost:  $6.00

Prep Time:  10 minutes

Cook Time:  30 minutes

Serves:  6

Enjoyed by kids of all ages.  I look forward to making and eating this every time!

1 pkg. (14 oz.) Hillshire Farms Lit’l Smokies beef cocktail links
1 pkg. (7.25 oz.) macaroni and cheese mix
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter OR margarine
1 can (10.75 oz.) condensed Cheddar cheese soup
1 tsp. parsley flakes
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Open package of cocktail franks and drain off any liquid; set aside. Cook macaroni in a large pan of boiling water for 7 minutes or until tender; drain pasta well.

2. In a medium bowl combine cooked macaroni, contents of cheese sauce packet, milk and butter. Stir until butter is melted. Stir in soup, parsley, and cocktail franks.

3. Place mixture in a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes or until heated through.

Mike’s comments:

I’m going to go make some right now!