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Easter Recipe: Baked Macaroni Casserole with Kraft Fresh Take

April 3, 2014 by Janine 7 Comments

This Easter dish was inspired by a sponsored post for Collective Bias and Kraft in the #FreshTake #shop.  All opinions are my own.

Easter is a big deal in my family.  We take the whole day to celebrate and reflect on all our blessings, new and old.  No, we don’t have a big fancy meal, but we do get together with friends and family and share an intimate pot-luck.  Is there such a thing?  Haha!   

It’s a lot of fun, but sometimes bringing a dish to the Easter get together is tricky.  You see, I’m in church all morning.  Easter dinner is around 3 or 4, but the kids can’t wait that long for something to nibble on.  So I fix up what sort of resembles a lunch and then have little time to prep for the pot-luck.  That’s why I love making this Macaroni Casserole ahead of time and Kraft’s new Fresh Take makes it even easier!

Baked Macaroni Casserole #FreshTake #shop

The best part about making this ahead of time; I can recruit my daughter to help.  We all know that cooking with our kids can extend the meal preparations a little.  But the lessons learned are well worth the time.  Since we cook together quite often, my daughter is very confident in the kitchen and loves to make breakfast all on her own.  We go through the whole process together; from Walmart to the table.

grocery shopping #freshtake #shop

At the store Audrey kept asking, “What are we going to cook mom?”  I didn’t want to tell her there, lest she start jumping up and down, squealing like she sometimes does when I cook her favorite things.  And she loves my baked Macaroni!  Every time I try to cook the stuff from the box she protests, “What is this!?”  So she was delighted when I told her what she was helping me with.  I gave her the responsibility of the topping.

cooking with kids #freshtake #shop

Although Audrey can’t help with every aspect of this recipe, I still try to explain as much as I can about what I’m doing.  Using words like boiling, tender, preheat etc.; I take the opportunity for a little vocabulary lesson.  Who needs books right?

baked macaroni casserole #freshtake #shop

As we cook, we share laughter, observations, and memories.  And when we finally get to taste the fruits of our labors, it’s even more delicious because of the special bond that was nurtured during its creation.  That’s what I want every Easter to look like.

cooking baked macaroni #freshtake #shop

homemade baked macaroni #freshtake #shop

If you want to make more time for Easter memories, make this casserole ahead of time.  Simply follow the recipe below except do not put the topping on.

baked macaroni casserole no topping #freshtake #shop

Refrigerate a day ahead of time, and when you are ready to bake, simply open the Fresh Take mix, spread it on top and bake for 30 minutes; turning broiler on low for the last 5 minutes.

Kraft Fresh Take Mix #shop

Our Cheddar Jack with Bacon Fresh Take topping really brought out the bacon flavor.  We loved it!  You know it’s good when your husband comes back for 3rd’s.

baked macaroni topping #freshtake #shop

Baked Macaroni Casserole with Kraft Fresh Take
 
Print
Prep time
20 mins
Cook time
30 mins
Total time
50 mins
 
This baked macaroni is stuffed with all of your favorites and topped with an extra crispy crust thanks to Kraft Fresh Take. Serve it as the main course or as a side. Make it ahead so dinner time is quick and easy. It is so versatile!
Author: True Aim
Recipe type: Main, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 2½ cups Macaroni
  • ½ cup fresh green beans chopped (or your favorite veggie)
  • 6 strips of Bacon cooked and cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tbsp Flour
  • 2 cups Milk warmed
  • ¼ tsp Garlic Powder
  • Salt and Pepper
  • ½ cup extra shredded cheese (Cheddar or Monterey Jack)
  • Kraft Fresh Take Cheddar Jack with Bacon
Instructions
  1. Prepare a 2 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Cook the macaroni for about 8-9 minutes; al dente. Then add your fresh green beans and turn off the heat. Let it sit for 1 minute. If you don't use fresh veggies you don't need to do this part, just cook the pasta al dente.
  3. Drain the macaroni and green beans and set aside. Return your pot to the heat and add the butter and flour. Whisk and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add the warmed milk, whisking continuously. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook until slightly thickened.
  5. Turn off the heat and add the extra cheese plus ½ cup of the Fresh Take cheese. Whisk until combined.
  6. Remove from the heat and add the cooked bacon, macaroni and green beans.
  7. Pour in your prepared baking dish and cover with the rest of the Fresh Take mix.
  8. Bake at 375 degrees, uncovered for 15 minutes. Then turn on the broiler and cook for 5 more minutes.
3.2.1275

I’m so glad #CollectiveBias introduced me to Fresh Take.  It really adds a boost of flavor to the casserole as well as an extra crispy crust.  You can even save $1 on any Kraft Fresh Take when you buy fresh chicken!

Fresh Take coupon #shop

After the Macaroni Casserole is finished, it won’t be the meal that you’ll remember from Easter dinner; it’ll be the memories you’ve made around it.

baked macaroni casserole crispy topping #freshtake #shop

 And then again, maybe you will remember this one.

baked macaroni and cheese with #freshtake topping #shop

 What are you making for the Easter meal?  Do you have a secret to great baked macaroni?  I would love to hear about it!

Macaroni Casserole with #freshtake crispy bacon topping #shop

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Filed Under: Learning Activities Tagged With: bacon, casserole, dinner, easter, food, fresh take, macaroni

About Janine

Janine LaTulippe is the Mother of 6 blessings. She believes that an elite education begins in the Home. Her sites www.BlueManorAcademy.com and www.TrueAimEducation.com provide curriculum, free resources, and inspiration for Homeschoolers!

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Comments

  1. Jenna Wood says

    April 4, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    How adorable is your daughter helping in the kitchen? That’s what the holidays are all about family and great food. This recipe looks delicious, I’m not sure I could share it with anyone, let alone a group! #Client

    Reply
  2. Patty says

    April 5, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    That looks delicious! I love macaroni and cheese
    Patty recently posted…Photo Challenge, Week 14: Morning MomentsMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Melanie says

    April 5, 2014 at 6:53 pm

    I like that you have a little helper!
    Melanie recently posted…Personal Banana Pudding ParfaitsMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Harvey Morris says

    April 5, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    I like your idea of using Fresh Take to elevate your baked mac’n cheese. And what a great kitchen helper you have; if I could only train my four pugs to be as helpful!
    Harvey Morris recently posted…Feeding My Pretzel Addiction: Fresh-Baked Soft PretzelsMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Karen Coutu says

    April 5, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    Two of my children live for macaroni and cheese! They will love this, especially with bacon in it!! 😀
    Karen Coutu recently posted…How to Make Your Own No-Sew High-Low Hem Shirt from a Men’s or Unisex T-ShirtMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Andrea Kruse says

    April 6, 2014 at 1:05 am

    Everything tastes better when you have good help! I love seeing kids getting involved in the kitchen. I would love to see today’s kids all grow up with these great skills.

    Reply
  7. Erinn Sluka says

    April 6, 2014 at 9:32 am

    y son is 5 and Mac n Cheese are one of his favorite things to help make. LOVE this recipe!
    Erinn Sluka recently posted…I just mixed my darks & whites doing laundry today with Purex No Sort #GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply

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