Super Simple Twists on Boxed Mac and Cheese

_Elsa_

The guide tells Elsa, Jelly Queen and Barney that the tour is almost over. Before it ends he wants to share some recipes with them. 

Mac and Cheese Taco Skillet - This Tex-Mex inspired dish uses ground beef for a taco-flavored, one-pan meal. Other proteins, such as chicken or mushrooms, would also work well as a substitution — or even be omitted entirely, leaving the seasonings to do the work.

Pepperoni Mac and Cheese - Pepperoni adds zestiness and an extra layer of satisfying flavor and can stand in for a pizza craving. You could chop it up and mix it, in or layer it on top and place the entire dish under the broiler for a bit of textural contrast.

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Cups - Use the mac and cheese as the cheesy element in buffalo chicken cups made with wonton wrappers. The filling alone could be a fun twist on this dish if you don't have the wrappers on hand.

Green Chile Mac and Cheese - Stir in a can of green diced chiles or some salsa verde for a spicy southwestern kick. Fresh chilies also work, though you'll probably want to sauté them a bit before making the cheese sauce in the same pan — it will reduce the spiciness of fresh hot peppers.

Bacon Mac and Cheese - Bacon and cheese are natural complements, and mac and cheese is no exception. Anything from bacon bits to thick-cut strips will work well with the base of noodles and cheese. You can even cook bacon in the pan and use its rendered fat to lend extra flavor to the cheese sauce.

Fried Mac and Cheese Balls - How do you make mac and cheese even more cravable? Fry it into golden delicious balls of cheesy goodness. These are almost too easy to make but are definitely not an everyday food — just a once-in-a-while indulgence that can be a real mood-lifter.

Let’s continue - Yummier mac and cheese ideas

Start at the beginning – Elsa and Jelly Queen take a factory tour