Low Carb Grown Up Mac and Cheese

13.25 oz Dreamfields elbow pasta*

2 large eggs

6 oz. cream

1 t. yellow mustard

few dashes Tabasco

1/4 t. black pepper

1/2 t. salt

4 T. butter

8-12 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Cook macaroni according to package directions. While pasta is cooking mix eggs, cream, mustard, Tabasco, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Drain pasta and return to pot. On low heat, add butter and stir until melted. Stir in egg mixture and half the cheese. Mix well. Slowly add remaining cheese. Continue stirring until mixture is hot and creamy and cheese it melted. 

Serves 5. I double the recipe.

*Dreamfields is a "healthy carb" pasta that is THM approved in moderation. You can use regular pasta but then this wouldn't be THM approved.

Creamy Chicken Bow Tie Salad

I made this one up myself when I was looking for something different. Jerry has requested it be added to our regular rotation.

2-3 grilled chicken breasts, cubed
8 oz bow tie pasta
1 cup pea pods
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup bacon, crumbled
1/4 cup finely grated cheese (Monterey Jack or real Parmesan is good)

Dressing:
1/4 cup finely diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 T. vinegar
1/2 t. sugar
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 t. each salt & pepper
1/4 t. basil
1/4 t. oregano
1/2 t. parsley
1/4 t. dry mustard

Mix dressing ingredients together and set aside. Cook bow tie pasta according to directions. Rinse with cold water after draining. Toss all ingredients with dressing. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Summer Pasta Salad

1 pkg. tri-color rotini
1-2 cups cooked ham, cubed
1 tomato diced
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed
3 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup Italian dressing
1-2 t. Salad Supreme Seasoning
sliced black olives, optional

Cook and drain noodles.  Add all other ingredients and toss to coat.  Can add more or less of any ingredient to taste.  Chill.

(From Ros’ Soccer Party in AZ)

Scalloped Mac and Ham

1 1/2 cup elbow macaroni
1/4 cup chopped onion, optional
2 T. margarine
2 T. flour
1/4 t. basil
1/8 t. pepper
1 1/2 cup milk
1 cup cooked, diced ham

Cook and drain macaroni.  In saucepan cook onion in margarine until tender.  Stir in flour, basil, and pepper.  Add milk.  Cook and stir until thick and bubbly.  Remove from heat.  Stir in macaroni and ham.  Put in greased casserole dish.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Options:  Sprinkle grated cheese on top.
       Cover with bread crumb topping.
       Cook in microwave for 10 minutes.
       Use smoked sausage instead of ham.

(Adapted from BH&G Cookbook)

Jerry's Pan Lasagna

1 pkg. (8oz.) lasagna noodles
1 lb. italian sausage or ground beef
2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 3/4 cup (15 oz.) ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 T. grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 t. parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.  Lay flat on foil to cool.  Heat oven to 350.  In large skillet, cook meat until brown.  Drain and stir in spaghetti sauce.  In medium bowl, mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, parmesan, egg and seasonings.  In 9x13 pan spread 1/2 cup meat sauce then place 3 pasta pieces lengthwise over sauce.  Spread one half ricotta mix over pasta, cover with one cup meat sauce.  Repeat layers of pasta, ricotta, and meat sauce.  Top with remaining pasta, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese.  Cover with foil.  Bake 30 minutes then remove foil.  Bake 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.  Let stand 10 minutes.  Makes 10-12 servings.

Tuna or Crab Salad

1 can of tuna or 1/2 pound crab (or imitation) meat 
2 cups pasta (shells work well), cooked
1/2 - 3/4 cup mayo
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup onion (white or green), optional
mustard, to taste

Mix all ingredients and chill.

(Pop Pop’s Recipe)

Pasta Bake

8 oz. pasta of choice
1/2 pound italian sausage, optional
1 jar spaghetti sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Brown meat if desired.  Mix sauce and pasta.  Put into greased casserole dish.  Sprinkle cheese on top.  Bake at 350 until cheese melts and heat through.

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

2 cups macaroni
1 T. margarine
1 T. flour
salt and pepper
1 cup milk
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
bread crumbs, optional

Cook macaroni according to package directions.  Drain but don’t rinse.  While macaroni is cooking melt margarine in microwave safe container.  Add flour, salt, and pepper to taste.  Add milk.  Microwave in two minute increments until sauce is a little bit thick.  Add cheese.  Stir to mix completely.  Add cooked macaroni and stir.  Microwave on high for 5 minutes.

Optional Topping:
Melt 1-2 T. margarine.  Add dry bread crumbs until all the margarine is absorbed.  Sprinkle over top before cooking.

(Pop Pop’s Recipe-measurements are estimates)

Crockpot Lasagna

8 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 lb.  Italian sausage (or ground beef)
1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
28 oz. jar spaghetti sauce
24 oz. cottage cheese (or ricotta)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Break noodles to fit and place half in bottom of greased slow cooker. Brown and drain meat. Stir in Italian seasoning. Spread half of meat over noodles in slow cooker. Layer half of sauce, half of cottage cheese, and half of mozzarella cheese over meat. Repeat layer. Cover. Cook on low for 5 hours.

Abby's Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Crockpot Mac and Cheese

1 pkg. (16oz) elbow Mac 

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted 

2 eggs, beaten (I have found these to be optional) 

1 can (12oz) evaporated milk 

1 can cheddar cheese soup, undiluted 

1 cup milk 

4 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Cook macaroni noodles, do not over cook. While the noodles are cooking toss the margarine in the crockpot to melt (or you could microwave it). When it's soft/melted add milk, soup, evap. milk, cheese, and eggs (if you're adding them). Add cooked noodles to cheese mixture and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours. If you're around give it a stir a few times while cooking. *Optional: Reserve one cup of cheese and sprinkle it on top the last 15 minutes of cooking. *If you like really creamy mac and cheese (like KFC), omit the eggs and cook just until heated through.

*Do not use sweetened condensed milk instead of evaporated milk! Haha!