Meals Under $3: CrockPot Mac and Cheese
This week's Meal Under $3... multi-colored egg salad made with your kids' leftover Easter eggs!
I've made a few modifications to the original CrockPot mac and cheese recipe that I've linked to before, so I'm re-posting it here as this week's Meal Under $3.
(I also live in fear that my favorite recipes will be unexpectedly removed from the internet, so if I have it here on my own blog, it's protected, right? I guess...)
Whip the eggs together in a mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients except for cheese and mix well. Spray the crock with cooking spray and empty milk/noodle mixture into the CrockPot. Cook on low for 3-5 hours or high for 1-3. Supervise carefully-- cooking times may vary depending on the power and size of your CrockPot. Once the noodles are al dente (usually this takes 2 hours on high in our CrockPot), add the cheese and stir well. Cook for 20-30 more minutes on high, just until cheese is melted and well combined.
{The original recipe instructions say to combine all the ingredients at the beginning and cook everything at once. I found that, after cooking for such a long time, the cheese separated and curdled. I've had good luck with just cooking the noodles and then adding the cheese at the end. But if you don't care about curdles (it still tastes the same... just a different texture) then you can follow the original instructions.}
Super easy, kids love it, delicious, and not too terribly unhealthy as far as mac and cheese goes. Some of the commenters on the original recipe added veggies and cooked them along with the noodles. I've never tried it that way, but it sounds like a good idea! We usually serve it with a green salad and other veggies on the side.
Total Cost of this Meal: $4.70
So, I cheated on this one. The cost of making the whole thing is over $3, but since the recipe usually makes enough leftovers for at least two meals, I figure the cost of each meal is $2.35-- about 40 cents per serving. The most expensive item is the cheese, so if you could buy it on sale or in bulk, you would save a little.
Enjoy!
Just kidding!!!!!!
(I also live in fear that my favorite recipes will be unexpectedly removed from the internet, so if I have it here on my own blog, it's protected, right? I guess...)
CrockPot Mac and Cheese
8 oz uncooked elbow macaroni (or your choice of hearty pasta)
1 cup whole milk
3 cups skim milk
2 eggs
4 cups shredded cheese (I use cheddar)
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1 t dried mustard
Whip the eggs together in a mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients except for cheese and mix well. Spray the crock with cooking spray and empty milk/noodle mixture into the CrockPot. Cook on low for 3-5 hours or high for 1-3. Supervise carefully-- cooking times may vary depending on the power and size of your CrockPot. Once the noodles are al dente (usually this takes 2 hours on high in our CrockPot), add the cheese and stir well. Cook for 20-30 more minutes on high, just until cheese is melted and well combined.
{The original recipe instructions say to combine all the ingredients at the beginning and cook everything at once. I found that, after cooking for such a long time, the cheese separated and curdled. I've had good luck with just cooking the noodles and then adding the cheese at the end. But if you don't care about curdles (it still tastes the same... just a different texture) then you can follow the original instructions.}
Super easy, kids love it, delicious, and not too terribly unhealthy as far as mac and cheese goes. Some of the commenters on the original recipe added veggies and cooked them along with the noodles. I've never tried it that way, but it sounds like a good idea! We usually serve it with a green salad and other veggies on the side.
Total Cost of this Meal: $4.70
So, I cheated on this one. The cost of making the whole thing is over $3, but since the recipe usually makes enough leftovers for at least two meals, I figure the cost of each meal is $2.35-- about 40 cents per serving. The most expensive item is the cheese, so if you could buy it on sale or in bulk, you would save a little.
Enjoy!
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