How to Re-Invent a Box of Mac 'n Cheese.

A box of macaroni and cheese is a busy mother's best friend. It's ready in minutes, is warm, nutritious and filling (especially if you opt for a brand that offers whole wheat pasta), and is a wonderfully inexpensive way to feed a hungry brood. Also: Kids love it. What more could a mother want?

Well, variety, actually. The following recipes can help when you find yourself faced with the age-old question: "What can I feed my family that is new and something that they'll like?"

Please note: Any kind of boxed macaroni and cheese can be used, from bright orange elbows to creamy white shells.

Watch the segment from Today:

• Instant Chicken Casserole
• Mac 'n Cheese Patties
• Mac 'n Cheese Chili Parfaits
• Mac 'n Cheese Bacon Dogs
• Speedy Additions to Mac 'n Cheese

Instant Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:
1 box of macaroni and cheese
Leftover roast or rotisserie chicken, shredded
1/2 cup frozen peas, cooked
2 to 3 tablespoons sour cream
Crushed potato chips or goldfish crackers for topping

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Make the macaroni and cheese according to the instructions on the box.
3. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
4. Pour into a buttered casserole dish.
5. Top with the crunchy topping of your choice.
6. Bake in preheated oven until heated through.


Mac 'n Cheese Patties
(This is a good recipe for leftover macaroni and cheese.)

Ingredients:
1 box of macaroni and cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
Canola oil for shallow frying

Directions:
1. Make the macaroni and cheese according to the instructions on the box.
2. Pour the macaroni and cheese into a shallow dish and refrigerate.
3. When completely cool (about one hour), use an ice cream scoop to create balls of macaroni and cheese. Compress the balls to make them flat. (You want to make them look like mini-hamburger patties.) Place them on a wax paper-lined plate and freeze for at least six hours.
4. When you're ready for dinner, whisk the eggs and milk together in a bowl, and place the breadcrumbs in a separate bowl.
5. Dip the macaroni and cheese patty in the egg wash, coating it completely. Let the excess egg wash drip off before rolling in the breadcrumbs.
6. Heat a half-inch of canola oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the macaroni and cheese patties. When golden on one side, gently ease over onto the other side using tongs or a spatula. Drain on paper towels. Enjoy on a bun with ketchup or marinara sauce.

Mac 'n Cheese Chili Parfaits

Ingredients:
1 box of macaroni and cheese
1 can of beef chili. Homemade is fine, too, of course.
Special equipment: Clear parfait glasses

Directions:
1. Make the macaroni and cheese according to the instructions on the box.
2. Heat the chili.
3. Starting with the macaroni and cheese, layer the pasta with the chili in the parfait glass. Alternatively, folks who don't like chili and prefer veggies could layer their pasta with carrots and peas.

Mac 'n Cheese Bacon Dogs
Ingredients:
1 box of macaroni and cheese
Hot dogs
Sliced bacon
Hot dog buns

Directions:
1. Make the macaroni and cheese according to the instructions on the box.
2. Line a jelly roll pan with aluminum foil. (Alternatively, use any pan with heat-proof sides).
3. Preheat the broiler.
4. When the broiler is hot, preheat the aluminum foil-lined pan.
5. Wrap each hot dog in a slice of bacon.
6. Place on the preheated pan. Broil until the hot dog is cooked through and the bacon is crispy.
7. Place each hot dog on a bun and top with macaroni and cheese.

Speedy Additions to Mac 'n Cheese:
1. Spinach: Drop washed spinach into the pasta water for the last minute of cooking time. Drain, and proceed with the directions on the box.
2. Peas: Drop frozen peas into the pasta cooking water for the last three minutes of cooking time. Drain, and proceed with the directions on the box.
3. Bacon: Add crumbled bacon to prepared macaroni and cheese.
4. Sausage: Warm "heat 'n eat" breakfast sausage in the microwave. Chop into pieces and toss with cooked mac 'n cheese.
5. Roasted red peppers: Chop up jarred roasted red peppers and toss with prepared mac 'n cheese.
6. Pizza mac: Heat one-third of a cup of marinara sauce in the microwave. Mix with prepared mac 'n cheese. Blend in a half-cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

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