Baked Mac & Cheese

It's Cold.  It's Darn Cold. You know what that means? Comfort Food.

When I think Comfort Food, I think Mac & Cheese.

*Warning* This Recipe is not in any way shape or form healthy.  It is slightly "less bad" than normal, but not healthy - sorry, but sometimes you've got to have the real deal. We are getting our Dairy for the day. Hooray for Vitamin D & Calcium.  Also, we are eating whole "real" foods that aren't overly processed - can't say that about the mac in a box...

The Deets

1 1/4 Cup Shredded Sharp White Cheddar (Tillimook Vintage White)

1 1/4 Cup Shredded Medium Cheddar (Tillimook Medium Cheddar)

1/4 Cup Goat Cheese (No Goat? add more Cheddar or your favorite Cheese {Gouda, Gruyere, Monterey Jack are all good options})

1 Cup Sour Cream (I used reduced fat)

1/4 Cup Milk (I use skim)

1 TBS Butter

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

3 Cups Whole Wheat Penne or Elbow Macaroni (It's best to use a pasta with ridges to hold the sauce)

The How To

In a Medium Sauce Pan mix 1 Cup of Extra Sharp & Medium Cheddar with Butter and Milk

Cook over Medium Heat until smooth 

Add Goat Cheese and Sour Cream

Add Salt and Pepper 

Cook to a smooth consistency 

Prepare Pasta according to package directions - usually 8 minutes in boiling water

Do NOT overcook the pasta

Drain and Rinse Pasta and add to cheese mixture

Mix until pasta is coated 

Transfer to a baking dish (9x9) 

Top with remaining Cheese and cover with tin foil

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes

Uncover for the last 5 minutes

What goes great with Mac & Cheese?
Fried Chicken? Not Quite, but close.
UnFried Chicken 
The Deets
4 portions Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1/4 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
1 Egg
Seasoned Salt (Lawry's)
1 TBS Canola Oil
The How To
Butterfly Chicken Breasts (lay breast flat & cut parallel to cutting board cutting breast almost in half {thickness wise} stop prior to cutting through & "fold" breast open, pound or smooth by hand)
Mix egg in a bowl large enough to dip/dredge chicken in
Dredge Chicken through egg & then through the Panko Bread Crumbs (I sprinkle the bread crumbs on my cutting board - less dirty dishes)
Sprinkle with  Seasoned Salt to taste (less is more)
Heat Oil in Skillet to Medium High 
Cook Chicken for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown
Cover and remove from heat to continue cooking

Add a Salad and/or your favorite Vegetable

Plate, Pray & Enjoy!

Note: We don't eat "White" in our house - this means no white bread, rice or pasta - we make exceptions for rice noodles, Panko Bread Crumbs & mixing flour for baking (50/50 Whole Wheat & All Purpose). This is one small way we can eat less processed foods & up our whole grain intake.