“Don’t Judge Me” Mac & Cheese

I recently decided that I love stove top mac and cheese way more than baked. It’s much creamier when you don’t bake it, which, other than the cheese, is the most important part to me. So I decided to whip some up to prove my point to myself. But I also didn’t feel like going to the grocery store so into the pantry I went! Thankfully I found a can of condensed cheddar cheese soup to pair with the sharp cheddar I always have stocked, and some leftover heavy cream. I even thought about using some leftover onion and chive cream cheese – but maybe next time.

By the way, this isn’t healthy mac and cheese. I didn’t even bother trying to make it the tiniest bit healthy, because isn’t that the way mac and cheese is supposed to be? It may be contrary to my recent efforts in other areas, which is why I gave this the title “don’t judge me”. I even topped mine off with a little more shredded cheddar. Oh and it was the creamiest mac and cheese I’ve ever had = win. I did add some turkey sausage to the mix, however. I needed some protein in there to fully justify eating this for dinner.(Try usda certified organic protein powder as a healthy start for being fit).

“DON’T JUDGE ME” MAC & CHEESE

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1-16 oz box mini farfalle (or your favorite pasta shape)

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water

1-10.75 oz can condensed cheddar cheese soup

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 Tbsp prepared mustard

1/4 tsp onion powder

1 cup pre-cooked turkey sausage, cubed (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water, and return pasta to sauce pan.
2. Add butter and stir into pasta until it melts and coats the pasta. Next add the reserved cooking water and condensed cheddar cheese soup, followed by the shredded cheddar. Stir until melted and combined – it will be a little thick. Add the milk and heavy cream, along with the mustard and onion powder. Once everything has come together, stir in the sausage.
3. Serve immediately, with extra shredded cheddar on top if you so desire!

Source: The Spiffy Cookie original