Jazzin Up That Ol' Box of Mac & Cheese

My dad sends me packages quite often and I adore him for it...they literally make my entire week as they are usually stuffed with candy, Bon Appetit magazines and $2 bills. Even though I love to cook he often sends me boxes and boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese. For the past 3 boxes, I wanted to jazz them up and used various things I found in my kitchen and they didn't turn out half bad so I thought I'd share!

Spicy Tuna Mac

Ingredients:

1 box Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner (regular kind)
1 5 oz. can tuna, drained
1 cup Fiesta style veggies (can be found in the frozen section at the grocery store, they have brocolli, beans and peppers)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon sirracha (or other hot sauce)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Prepare mac and cheese as directed on box. Defrost the veggies in the microwave. When defrosted, saute in a pan of hot olive oil for about 7-10 minutes. Add in tuna and stir until warm. Toss in chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin and red pepper flakes just until combined. Combine veggie mixture with mac and cheese. Add desired amount of hot sauce, salt and pepper.

Chicken Alfredo Mac

Ingredients:

1 box Kraft Mac and Cheese Dinner (Alfredo kind)
1 5 oz. can chicken, drained
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 cup of frozen brocolli/cauliflour mix
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon of wheat germ (for a nutty crunch)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Prepare box of mac and cheese as directed on box. Defrost the brocolli and cauliflour. Saute onions and garlic for about 5 minutes in olive oil. Then add in the brocolli and cauliflour and saute another 5 minutes or so. Add the chicken and just stir until warm. Mix veggies in with the mac and cheese. Season to tatse and top with parmesan cheese and wheat germ.

Sweet Pepper Salmon Mac

Ingredients:

1 Box Kraft Mac and Cheese Dinner (shells)
1 5 oz. can salmon, drained
1 cup chopped bell peppers (I used yellow, orange and red)
1/2 cup edamame
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tablespoon garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Prepare mac and cheese as directed on the box. Saute the peppers, edamame, onions a garlic for about 10 minutes in olive oil. Add salmon and saute until warm and combined. Toss in cumin and paprika and mix just until combined. Then mix the veggies in with the mac and cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.

This isn't exactly rocket science, nor is it anything special. But just though I'd share some simple ideas to turn any boring frozen, boxed or plain side items into something a little more exciting!