Macaroni & Cheese (oven or microwave!)

One of my best friends just finished a deployment in Afghanistan and, no longer having cafeteria food to rely on, emailed me for some quick and easy recipes that even he could manage. Since we are both from the south, I decided to email him some basic southern recipes. I have been obsessed with Macaroni and Cheese since childhood, and immediately thought of this recipe. He made it in his German oven two nights ago and proudly informed me that he was able to pull it off and that it was delicious! I shared with him that there's a short-cut microwave version as well. So, here they both are, for your enjoyment!


Oven Baked Macaroni & Cheese
1 cup shells, cooked
1/3 c. milk
1/3 c. sour cream
1 c. shredded cheese
Pinch of salt & pepper

Mix everything together, pour into in a greased 8X8 baking dish and cook for 20-25 minutes at 325F. Serves 2-4.

So easy! And delicious. I often will add things to it (like ground turkey, or tomatoes) to make it a bit heartier. And since it's a common lunch choice for me, I adapted the recipe to create a similar taste from the microwave!

Okay, the first step is to cook a box of shells and keep them in the fridge so you can make quick meals like this. My roommates and I learned this in college, and it has since saved me on mornings when we are running late and hubby needs a lunch.

Add a cup of pasta to a microwave safe dish. Stir in a heaping tablespoon of sour cream and cover with shredded cheddar cheese. Mix together and add salt and pepper to taste. Microwave on high one minute, stir. If more time needed, continue in thirty second increments, stirring after. Voilà! Tasty mac'n'cheese for a lazy day!