In case you didn’t already know, my Mema makes the BEST macaroni and cheese. Seriously, instead of birthday cakes every year I got a big bowl of her mac and cheese that she has cooked in the same green casserole dish for as long as I have been alive. Now that I finally have a full kitchen big enough too cook again, I decided my first home cooked meal in the new house should be something that feels home-y, so Mema’s mac and cheese it was. I also knew my husband would want more than just mac and cheese for dinner, so I decided to take her recipe to the next level and add some meat and veggies to make it a meal. Thus, Mema’s Mixed Up Mac and Cheese was invented last night:

Mema’s Mixed Up Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

8-10 oz of elbow noodles (whole wheat if you choose)

16-20 oz. of EXTRA SHARP cheddar block cheese (2% if you like, but the ‘real’ version is creamier)

8 oz. of Evaporated Milk (Fat Free if you prefer healthier)

1 Large Egg

6-8 slices of turkey bacon (or regular bacon/ham, but I don’t eat Pork)

1.5 cups of steamed broccoli

About 2 TBSP of butter or margarine (I use Blue Bonnet Light)

Salt/Pepper

Directions

Heat oven to 400 deg.

Boil elbow noodles per package directions until al dente

While noodles are boiling, shred cheddar cheese into a large bowl and set aside

In a separate bowl, combine evaporated milk and egg together and whisk until egg is completely mixed throughout (otherwise you end up with chunks of egg in your casserole, ick)

I laid the turkey bacon on a parchment covered cookie sheet and baked for 15 minutes in the preheated oven (you can also microwave if you prefer)

I bought a package of broccoli from the farmer’s market that could be steamed in the bag in the microwave

Once the noodles are cooked and drained thoroughly, I like to fold in the butter and let it mix in with the noodles

Then begin layering noodles, bacon, broccoli and cheese in a round 2 qt. casserole dish and sprinkle salt/pepper on top of each layer. Make sure to reserve enough cheese to generously cover the top of the casserole dish and pour egg/evaporated milk mixture over top of the casserole.

Bake casserole uncovered at 400 deg. for 25 – 30 minutes or until cheese is browned on top and ENJOY! If you prefer regular ‘ole Mema’s mac and cheese, just omit the bacon and broccoli or try other creations of your own~