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Thai Peanut Chicken and Pumpkin Curry w/Sticky Pomegranate Rice.
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{This post is sponsored by DeLallo Foods.}
I just feel like this is appropriate Sunday food.
Or appropriate any day food. I mean, there is cheese, pasta and bacon. What could not be delicious and everyday about that?
For some reason, I have really been wanting to make mac and cheese for like forever now. I think maybe because it is autumn, and our autumn weather tends to be more like winter weather. Which means mac and cheese should probably be on the menu at least once a week from now until spring. I do have to say though, this last week was pretty beautiful. Monday it snowed… and snowed hard, but the rest of the week was full on sunshine and decent temps during the day.
This was really good since there was a lot of stuff happening down at the barn this week. I now have floors!! Hooray!! I decided on colored concrete floors… I know it sounds odd, but I promise it’s all good. I have been taking pictures, but I am waiting to do one big post, so everything doesn’t look so well um, scary.
And you guys, here is the thing about this barn. We have run into a lot of bumps along the way, but things are finally moving along and I have to say that my family has been such a huge part of actually building this barn. Mom’s still kicking ass as the BIG GC (general contractor) and she has had my brother Kai, his friend Blake (who really is like a member of this family because he chooses to live here and not at his own home for I’d day 85% of the year) and my dad down there working almost everyday. On Thursday night, they where all down there till almost 11:00 working. My dad gets off work at three, so that is when they started and they literally didn’t stop for the next eight hours. SO incredibly thankful for those guys right now.
I felt so guilty though. I mean, all this work for me? What the heck did I do to deserve that? Granted Kai and Blake were told they must help, and Kai did get his English paper practically written by mom in return, but still, I was feeling like I really needed to make everyone some good food. So I decided now was the time to make everyone’s favorite. BUT please, don’t anyone tell the boys that they ate squash. I of course left half of the mac and cheese without any brussels sprouts, but the squash they unknowingly ate… and loved. It’s the cheese, pasta and um most definitely the bacon that they fell so hard for.
Actually, it really may have just been the bacon, they stinkin’ love bacon. Boys.
Oh, and if you are wondering why I have got my family down at the barn working and not paid workers it’s because workers are so not cheap (and OMG, neither is this barn, who knew? clearly not us.) and SO not reliable. Yes, we have workers for the big jobs, but the little crap jobs (we may call them another word) go to Kai or Dad or even Blake. Gotta save money were you can!
Anwhooo, this Mac n’ Cheese with Buttery Bacon Ritz Crackers, it’s obviously delicious… but wait it is semi healthy for us too!!
Yes, there is bacon, butter and cheese, and I know those are not health foods, but there is also a whole four cups of pureed butternut squash, half a pound of brussels spouts and a whole lot of my very favorite whole wheat pasta.
I of course used DeLallo whole wheat pasta, and you guys, my family did not even notice one bit that this was whole wheat. Not even the picky boys. I have to say that this may be one of the healthiest meals those boys eat. I know that’s crazy, but they are some picky boys! Honestly, this pasta is one of my favorites for family meals, especially knowing I am squeezing in some whole wheat goodness.
Ok and the buttery, crunchy bacon topping? That is the best. No seriously the best.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
And if you eat this all yourself… I totally understand.
I must have this in my life/belly. You also happened to use my favorite shape of pasta. It’s just so fun.
Thanks Erin! And isn’t the DeLallo pasta the cutest? I love it!
SO. MUCH. YES.
P.S. Glad to hear the barn is getting there! Can’t wait to see pics!
Thank you so much, Stephanie!! I have been horrible with pictures, but getting better as more is happening! 🙂
I am salivating! Love the rich brussels sprouts and butternut squash combo!
Thank you!
My mouth is watering. I love everything in this. Gimme all the squash and Brussels!
Thank Bri! Hope you had a great Sunday!
Paying your family and friends with food is just as good as money anyways! I would eat this day in and day out if I were to help ya out…
I could not agree more. Food is everything! 🙂
Thanks Meg and I hope you had a great Sunday!
This is so Sunday food and that Ritz topping is genius!
Thank you so much! Hope you had a great Sunday!
These look amazing! And right up my husband’s alley. I will definitely be making them for him! YUM!
Thanks so much, Rebecca! Hope you all love this recipe!
Sounds wonderful! Where did you mix in the butternut squash puree?
Thanks so much! You want to mix in the squash puree with the cheeses. I fixed the recipe, thanks for letting me know it was not in there.
Can never pass up mac and cheese – never! This looks delish!
Same goes over here! 🙂
Thanks Kathy and I hope you had a great weekend!
As I am going to house sit for my parents and watch/cook for my two teenage brothers for the next week, I would say this recipe is coming at the perfect time! I know I’ll be relying heavily on pasta and bacon, so it’s nice that there are some “secret veggies” too!
That sounds fun!! Hope you guys all love this mac and cheese! 🙂
It IS such appropriate Sunday food. I’m jealous of your family- they get to eat all these amazing recipes all the time!
Haha! Thanks Sarah! Hope you had a great Sunday!
You have made many wonderful meals for those young men and their friends-MANY. And this is what caring families do. And you will always be your parents little girl no matter how old you get.
All of this just shows there is a lot of love in your family (and some friendly fighting words at times too–lol–I would imagine!)
Mac and cheese I love but the doctor told me to love it less but since you have so many health ingredients I bet I could make this and leave out the cream.
Have a great Sunday.
Awe, thank you for such a sweet comment. Yes, we are a close family and yes, we can surely put out the fighting words at times too! Ha!
I sometimes make this with only 2% milk and it works great. You could also use coconut milk to make it creamier and reduce the cheese a bit too. Just make it work for your needs! Thanks again Nancy! 🙂
G00d Morning. What size of casserole or CI pot did you cook the final product in? thanks.
Hey Leslie!
A 9×14 inch casserole or slightly smaller oval dish works great. You could also use a 12 inch cast iron skillet, 5 quart dutch oven or brasier. Let me know if you have anymore questions. Hope you enjoy the pasta!
This looks so good! And wow, you made two boys eat Brussels sprouts? Great job 😀 I was so proud when I once managed to get two teens to eat sauerkraut… But really, I think it was the bacon (and the cheese) too 😀
Thanks Nora! But I am sad to say that the boys did not eat the brussels. I left half of the mac and cheese without them…there is no way I could get them to eat brussels. 🙁
Brussels sprouts, bacon & Ritz crackers? There’s a winning combination! Looks amazing! Beautiful photos once again!
Thanks Annie!