“Don’t Judge Me” Mac & Cheese

by Erin

I recently decided that I love stove top mac and cheese way more than baked. It’s much creamier when you don’t bake it, which, other than the cheese, is the most important part to me. So I decided to whip some up to prove my point to myself. But I also didn’t feel like going to the grocery store so into the pantry I went! Thankfully I found a can of condensed cheddar cheese soup to pair with the sharp cheddar I always have stocked, and some leftover heavy cream. I even thought about using some leftover onion and chive cream cheese – but maybe next time.

By the way, this isn’t healthy mac and cheese. I didn’t even bother trying to make it the tiniest bit healthy, because isn’t that the way mac and cheese is supposed to be? It may be contrary to my recent efforts in other areas, which is why I gave this the title “don’t judge me”. I even topped mine off with a little more shredded cheddar. Oh and it was the creamiest mac and cheese I’ve ever had = win. I did add some turkey sausage to the mix, however. I needed some protein in there to fully justify eating this for dinner.(Try usda certified organic protein powder as a healthy start for being fit).

“DON’T JUDGE ME” MAC & CHEESE

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1-16 oz box mini farfalle (or your favorite pasta shape)

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water

1-10.75 oz can condensed cheddar cheese soup

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 Tbsp prepared mustard

1/4 tsp onion powder

1 cup pre-cooked turkey sausage, cubed (optional)

Directions:

  1. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water, and return pasta to sauce pan.
  2. Add butter and stir into pasta until it melts and coats the pasta. Next add the reserved cooking water and condensed cheddar cheese soup, followed by the shredded cheddar. Stir until melted and combined – it will be a little thick. Add the milk and heavy cream, along with the mustard and onion powder. Once everything has come together, stir in the sausage.
  3. Serve immediately, with extra shredded cheddar on top if you so desire!

Source: The Spiffy Cookie original

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22 comments

kita November 5, 2013 - 4:51 pm

Need…. oh my god need.

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spiffycookie November 6, 2013 - 9:07 am

Haha I am so happy to hear that!

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Sook October 1, 2011 - 11:45 pm

Wow! The mac and cheese looks so creamy and rich! I def. won’t judge you… :)

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Tracy September 28, 2011 - 8:52 pm

Dude. I totally agree on the stovetop mac and cheese – I never realized how much creamier it is than baked until this year when I made some for the first time with bacon and gouda. Now I’ll never go back – and I definitely have to try your recipe!

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spiffycookie September 28, 2011 - 8:54 pm

I may never bake mac and cheese again! And oh yum bacon and gouda!

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Jessica @ Stylish Stealthy and Healthy September 28, 2011 - 3:47 pm

I definitely have not had mac’n’cheese recently enough. Must change that STAT!

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Erika - The Teenage Taste September 27, 2011 - 8:25 pm

I love how you put it – by definition macaroni and cheese isn’t supposed to be healthy. That’s why it’s so yummy!

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Jennifer @ Mother Thyme September 27, 2011 - 7:18 pm

Simply fantastic! I love trying new Mac and Cheese recipes and this one will be next on my list.

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Gette September 27, 2011 - 5:11 pm

Love all things cheesy… and turkey sausage. Snagging!

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Deborah September 27, 2011 - 3:08 pm

This sounds truly decadent! Next time I’m craving mac and cheese, I know what I’m going to make!

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Rachel @ The Avid Appetite September 27, 2011 - 2:57 pm

this is the way that real mac & cheese should be! i’m not judging, i’m jumping on the bandwagon! :)

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Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts September 27, 2011 - 1:26 pm

This definitely looks like the creamiest mac n cheese ever!

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Tracey September 27, 2011 - 1:04 pm

My husband loves cutting up proteins to add to his mac & cheese so he’d be completely on board with your version, especially since “healthy” isn’t something he ever worries about :)

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Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray September 27, 2011 - 12:56 pm

They sell cheese soup?!?!

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spiffycookie September 27, 2011 - 12:57 pm

OMG you didn’t know!? Go fetch some from the grocery asap.

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Lauren September 27, 2011 - 12:37 pm

I love your title! Bahaha! Delicious dinner idea! And easy too!

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Kelly September 27, 2011 - 11:41 am

Oh wow this sounds amazing!! No judgment here, I’m just jealous!! :)

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Steph@stephsbitebybite September 27, 2011 - 11:40 am

No judgement here!! At all!! I’m drooling over the creamy cheese sauce

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Cassie @ Bake Your Day September 27, 2011 - 11:20 am

This looks amazing. I can’t believe how creamy it is. I want it now!

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spiffycookie September 27, 2011 - 11:21 am

It is fast to make and only uses one pot too!

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Liz @ Southern Charm September 27, 2011 - 10:26 am

This sounds cheesy and heavenly. I want some now! Love it.

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Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray September 27, 2011 - 9:25 am

Oh man. Looks amazing. Might have to revise my grocery list ;)

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