Mac and cheese: New takes on an old favorite

Comfort food is, well, comforting. It’s that one thing you can go home and make after a bad day (or even a good day.)

One of my favorites, and easiest, is macaroni and cheese. It doesn’t have to be homemade. Pasta and cheese in a box is not only easy, it’s an affordable hot meal at home.

Macaroni and cheese is good as is but sometimes I have a desire for a little more than the two main ingredients.

Try taking basic macaroni and cheese and throw in something extra to mix it up a little. Add vegetables for extra nutrition and meat for added protein.

I like to add cooked broccoli and diced ham to my macaroni and cheese. Both of these go great with cheese, so why not toss them in?

It’s easy to do. Make the macaroni and cheese as directed on the box, then toss in the additions at the end. If you want to add ground beef of chicken, cook that while the macaroni is boiling.

There are lots of great ways to take macaroni and cheese to a new level. Here are some ideas on how to put your own spin on a classic. The variations can be as creative as you want.

• Cooked ground beef and salsa give a spicy Mexican flavor.
• If you like it spicier, toss in bacon and jalapenos.
• Not into spicy?  Try canned tuna and peas.
• Want a southern spin?  Toss together bar-b-que pork and green onions.
• Looking to make something more epicurean?  Add in sun dried tomatoes and Swiss chard.
• If you just want to use what you have on hand, mix in some sliced hot dogs.

The great thing about macaroni and cheese is just about everybody loves it. The variations allow you to adjust the dish to your tastes or what you have on hand. If it does well with cheese, it should work well tossed in with pasta too.

A little creativity can turn plain macaroni and cheese into a culinary delight. Well, as least something more impressive than just macaroni and cheese.

Do you have a favorite macaroni and cheese variation? Do you experiment with different ingredients or keep it plain and simple?