Mac and Cheese Makes a Meal

Macaroni and cheese is another great shelf staple. It comes in many varieties, frequently has coupons and sales, and can be used as a vessel for add ins to liven it up. You can use it as a side dish or you can is it as a main. Today we're going to focus on boxed mac and cheese, though look forward to homemade recipes in the near future that will fall under the $5.00/ meal limit. Whenever you come across a coupon or for mac and cheese, don't hesitate to use it. As a shelf staple, it has quite a long expiration date, so you can stock up on this item. It makes great quick meals fast for those in a hurry as well. It's another one of those carb fillers to satiate hunger. Some of my favorite products are the plain oldie but goodie regular Kraft Mac and Cheese.

This is the perfect style for add ins. At $0.98 per box this is a great price to use for this style, and for stocking up. My favorite condiment flavor add ins are mayo, ketchup, sriracha, or bbq sauce. My favorite meat add ins are hot dogs, cubed ham, or bacon, my favorite veggie add ins are chopped bell pepper, sliced jalapeno, shredded carrots, peas, or corn. Let your imagination go wild! Throw a few different items in together in a casserole dish, add some sprinkled bread crumbs on top, bake in the oven for 10 minutes on 350° and you've got a primitive mac and cheese casserole.

Another brand that frequently does coupons is Annies. I enjoy the shells and aged cheddar. At $1.48/ box two boxes makes a great meal. With a veggie, fruit, or salad side.

And for super creamy shells and cheese you've got the original Velveeta Shells and cheese. These are the highest priced ones at $2.98/ box.

And last of all, my favorite with add ins already added in is from Walmart's Great Value collection. It's loaded bacon cheddar. This is creamy and delicious. At only $1.98 per box it's a pretty good price. Two boxes makes a meal. Or one box and some sides. 

When it comes to mac and cheese snag those coupons and use them! They're great meals and they've got a long shelf life. Some of the packages don't even require milk or butter, like the Great Value loaded bacon cheddar. That can make it even more handy if you run in to weeks where budgets are extra tight and you've got these stockpiled. So get your noodles on and don't be afraid of add ins! Macaroni and cheese most certainly makes a delicious cheap meal!