Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

It's easy and amazingly enough all five of my children like it more than the box stuff.

16oz of elbow macaroni
1 lb. of  cheese ( I like mild cheddar but it's up to your personal taste)
1 cup of milk

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Cook macaroni according to package directions
• Pour half the macaroni is a 9 x13" pan 
• Top evenly with half your cheese
• Repeat above for second layer
• Pour milk over the top
• At this point you may salt and pepper if you like
• Bake for 25 minutes

I sometimes add a pound of cooked hamburger in between the two layers.

Macaroni and Tomatoes

This one is quick and easy. One pot kinda deal! I love it on a cold winter night.

1 - 16oz box of  shell macaroni ( but any type would do this is just my favorite)
1 large can of whole tomatoes
1 TBSP of bacon grease ( yup that just puts it over the top good!)

Cook macaroni according to package directions, drain off the water, add dollop of bacon grease, open can of tomatoes and toss in with pasta. I like to kind of smush the tomatoes with a folk give them a few minutes to heat up,salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

Cheap and Easy Tuna Alfredo

16oz package of bow tie pasta
1 jar of alfredo sauce
1 cup mixed frozen veggies
1 can of tuna
Parmesan cheese

Follow package directions for bow tie pasta. At the same time you put your pasta in the water to cook add the mixed veggies. Drain and return your pasta veggie mixture to the pot. Add tuna and alfredo sauce. Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese to taste!

Great with salad and french or garlic bread.

Buttermilk Pie

I know what you are thinking... ahh what, that ahh, doesn't sound so good. Trust me this is really yummy stuff. It's often referred to as poor man's cheesecake. If you do try it leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 stick butter, melted
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Place beaten eggs in a medium bowl. Gradually beat in sugar. Stir in melted butter, salt, flour, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Pour mixture into an unbaked pie crust. Place pie on cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour until filling is set. After pie cools refrigerate! Serve cold.

Can be served with a fruit topping and whipped cream much like cheesecake but it's just as great plain.

Cheesy Chicken Hashbrowns

These make a great side dish for any meal, even brunch.

1 bag southern style hash brown potatoes
1 can of cream of chicken soup
8 oz of sour cream
1/2 cup melted butter
2 cups Colby / Monterrey Jack cheese

I like to thaw the hash browns in the frig over night but as you don't have to bake the dish as long.

Mix together well all the above except cheese. Spread evenly into a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 25 mins. top with cheese and bake an additional 5 mins.

*If hashbrowns are still frozen bake for 45 mins then top with cheese and bake another 5 mins.

No Bake Eclair Cake

2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
3 cups milk
1 (16 ounce) package graham cracker squares
1 (16 ounce) package prepared chocolate frosting

1. In a medium bowl, thoroughly blend the pudding mix, whipped topping, and milk.
2. Arrange a single layer of graham cracker squares in the bottom of a 13x9 inch baking pan. Evenly spread half of the pudding mixture over the crackers. Top with another layer of crackers and the remaining pudding mixture. Top with a final layer of graham crackers.
3. Spread the frosting over the whole cake up to the edges of the pan. Cover, and chill at least 4 hours before serving.

The frosting will be easier to spread if the cake is covered and chilled for about 30 minutes before spreading.

Easy Yummy Creamy Peach Cake

1 large can of sweetened sliced peaches
1 jar of maraschino cherries drained (optional but extra yummy!)
1 box of yellow cake mix
1 half cup of butter or margarine
8 oz. of cream cheese
cinnamon (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Pour canned peaches with the juice in a 9x13 baking pan place cherries throughout the peaches. Evenly sprinkle the yellow cake mix powder on top of the peaches. Melt butter and drizzle over the cake mix. Cut cream cheese into at least 12 cubes and places evenly on top in 3 rows of 4. If you like cinnamon sprinkle lightly over the top.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the juice mixture is bubbly and the top of the cake mix topping is crusty and golden brown.

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. :o)