Sometimes I’m just in a funk and do not want to cook and need comfort food. I love Mac and Cheese but know it is not the healthiest option. This recipe is a good substitute for the days when you just need noodles and cheese and nothing else will do.
You will notice I have really cheap bread on the grocery list. I like to make bread crumbs with homemade bread or really cheap bread stored in my freezer. If I am using bread crumbs to top a dish I like the taste of butter and crunch versus store bought which sometimes has a grit texture.
If you have ZERO ingredients then this recipe will cost about $13.95 as of May 2022.
I am assuming you have salt and pepper and do not add it into the recipe total cost.
Recipe serves: 4
Serving size: 1 cup
Equipment needed: 1 large pot for past, 1 sauce pan, 1.5 quart casserole dish with lid
Total time: 1 hour
Let's grocery shop!
I am assuming you have salt and pepper. It is not included in pantry and spices.
Pantry & Spices
Total: $6.07 as of May 2022
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butter $3.58
-
flour $1.56
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bread $0.93
Grocery
Total: $10.34 as of May 2022
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ziti pasta 16 oz $0.92
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1/2 gallon milk $2.38
-
1 - shredded cheese 8 oz $2.22
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1 ready to bake pizza dough $2.49
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1 parmesan romano cheese $2.36
Let's prep!
3 cups uncooked ziti or small tube pasta |
1 tablespoon butter |
2 tablespoons flour |
½ teaspoon salt |
¼ teaspoon pepper |
1 ¾ cup milk |
¾ shredded cheddar cheese |
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese |
Topping |
5 slices bread |
2 tablespoons melted butter |
¼ cup cheddar cheese |
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese |
- Gather all of your ingredients and measuring tools
- Sift flour 2 tablespoons into a prep bowl and add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper.
- Measure the milk; set aside.
- Place in the same prep bowl:
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese; set aside.
- Bread Crumbs:
- Lightly toast bread using a toaster or your oven broiler.
- Use a food processor to break the bread into fine pieces; set aside
- In a medium bowl (or food processor bowl) add:
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- bread crumbs; set aside.
- Cover the inside of the casserole dish with cooking spray or use a paper towel and some butter.
Let's cook!
- Bring water to a boil and cook ziti to package directions.
- Preheat oven to 350°
- In a sauce pan melt 1 tablespoon butter then stir in 2 tablespoons of flour until smooth.
- Once the mixture is smooth and you no longer see white flour slowly add milk while stirring constantly. Continue to stir until mixture is thick and creamy.
- Turn off the heat and add 3/4 cup of cheese and 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese until melted.
- Drain cooked pasta and add to the casserole dish. Add the sauce evenly over the pasta. I like to mix it in a little making sure all the noodles have a little sauce.
- Cover and bake for 20 minutes.
- Once the 20 minutes is complete, melt 2 tablespoons of butter
- Add the butter to the bread crumbs and mix in well then add the mixture to the top of the pasta evenly.
- Bake uncovered for 5-10 minutes or the topping is brown. Enjoy!
This recipe can also be found in Menu 2 – Family of 2
