Trick My Mac

How to turn a blue box of Kraft into your mom’s homemade mac-n-cheese.

Story by Anneka Miller
Photos by Thao Bui
Five-year-old kids and college students have one thing in common: they love their mac-n-cheese. Gooey, cheesy noodles with a crunchy breadcrumb coating never get old. But, unlike college students, five-year-old kids don’t have to worry about their budget when mom sits them down with a plate of classic mac.
Living on a student budget doesn’t mean good, home-style cooking is out of the question. With ten extra minutes and a few extra ingredients, it’s cheap and easy to turn the student standby box of Kraft into classic homemade mac-n-cheese.
Note: You’ll need a glass or non-stick bread pan to make this recipe rock.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped1 clove of garlic, minced1 regular size box of Kraft Mac-n-Cheese1 tablespoon butter1/3 cup skim milk2 tablespoons flour1/4 cup frozen peas1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese1/3 cup breadcrumbsFresh black pepper
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Sauté the garlic and onions in olive oil until onions are translucent. Set aside.Prepare the box of pasta and drain. Add powder packet, butter, and milk. Mix until pasta is coated.Stir in flour, frozen peas, prepared onions, and garlic. Add fresh black pepper to taste.Transfer pasta mixture from pot to a glass or non-stick bread pan. Top with grated cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs.Bake for ten to twelve minutes. Serve hot and gooey!
Suggestion: If you like a little spice, try adding some hot sauce like Tabasco sauce.

Budget:
1 box of Kraft Mac-n-Cheese = $0.98 at Market of Choice
1 box Panko breadcrumbs = $1.99 at Market of Choice
1 small bag frozen peas = $1.99 at Safeway
Serving size = 1 cup
Calories = 409
Fat = 13.6 grams
Cholesterol = 8.3 milligrams
Sodium = 679.6 mg
Carbohydrates = 57 g
Dietary Fiber = 0.8 g
Sugars = 1.5 g
Protein = 3.8 g
Vitamin A = 2.9% of suggested daily intake
Vitamin C = 2.9%
Calcium = 7%
Iron = 2.1%