Quick and Easy Meals: Macaroni, Casseroles and Chicken

I almost always use the store brand/generic brand, unless I have a good coupon I can pair with a store special, because it's so inexpensive (sometimes you can find it for 33¢ a box!) Sometimes I add shredded cheese when I'm serving the macaroni and cheese as a plain old side dish, just to add some extra cheesiness.

+ Basic Macaroni and Cheese: Cook noodles according to directions. Drain noodles and prepare macaroni and cheese according to package instructions.

+ Not Your Classic Tuna Casserole: Cook noodles according to directions. Drain noodles. Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Add 1 can (or packet) of tuna, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, ½ cup chopped celery, ¼ cup chopped onion, 1 small can of peas (about 1 cup). Mix all contents together, and place in a casserole dish. Cook on high in microwave 3 minutes. (This is also good with lima beans)

+ Quick and Easy Tuna Salad: Use macaroni and cheese mix with WHITE cheddar and "shells." Cook shell pasta according to directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until shells are slightly cooled (may need to drain water and refill 2 or 3 times.) Drain noodles, add white cheddar mix and other ingredients listed on the macaroni and cheese box plus one can (or packet) of tuna. (May add celery and/or onion). Refrigerate at least one hour prior to serving. (You can substitute chicken for the tuna)

+Beefy Macaroni and Cheese: Cook noodles according to directions. While noodles are cooking, brown ½ pound ground beef. When no longer pink, drain beef and set aside. Drain noodles and prepare macaroni and cheese according to package instructions. Add browned ground beef. Mix and serve. (May top with grated cheese)

+Mexican Macaroni and Cheese: Cook noodles according to directions. While noodles are cooking, brown ½ pound ground beef with ½ packet of taco seasoning mix added. When no longer pink, drain beef and set aside. Drain noodles and prepare macaroni and cheese according to package instructions. Add browned taco seasoned ground beef. Mix and serve. (May top with grated cheese and serve with sliced tomatoes.)

+ Quick and Delicious Chicken Enchilada Macaroni and Cheese: Cook noodles according to directions. Drain noodles and prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Add one can condensed milk and one can of cream of chicken soup. Mix thoroughly. Cut up 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cooked) or add 2 cans of chicken breasts, cubed). Pour into a greased 2-qt. casserole dish. Bake or microwave until heated through and bubbly. Serve with a lettuce and tomato salad with sliced black olives added. This casserole freezes well, so you can divide it up into any size serving quantities you want and use them later.

Finally, if you need elbow macaroni noodles for another dish, you can either throw out the cheese pack or save it for another dish and just use the pasta from the mix!