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First off, I want to say how deeply ashamed I am that I am writing this post. Because I am openly admitting that I have “some” experience with this blue iconic box of preservatives and “fake food.” Growing up I had no problem with it and living abroad where it was not available I would even find myself paying astronomical prices for the elusive box. However, as a mother now in the US who initially set out to only feed my kids the best of the best and only meals from scratch, I was reluctant to add it to my grocery cart but soon realized there was no escaping it.

While my older daughter lives for my homemade ultra-decadent macaroni and cheese made from a silky white sauce and filled with 3-5 cheese of gruyere, parmesan, and delicious aged cheddars, it’s the younger ones that present the problem. If I put that homemade version in front of them they will look at me with blank stares and wonder why are these noodles not bright orange.

Enter the $1 box of Kraft. Every time I make it for them my heart sinks a little further inside my gourmet soul. The problem is that they eat it EVERY TIME and as a mother you can not deny the simplicity of it.

So there I was the other day prepping what could have been my 748th box for our forced “homeschooling lunch” time. I might or might not have had a shaker going for an afternoon Margarita. In any case, there was little leftover and the crayon tinted noodles looked unusually appealing. Even though I go beyond the normal recipe and add cream and more butter than instructed I felt like it just needed a little “something, something.”

Enter this unusual and ironically healthy addition that actually made it taste pretty darn good!  I never would have thought!  Give it a try and on the same vein, I thought of a couple other “adult customizations”:

New York Shuk Rosey Harissa: This is a spice mix that I am absolutely obsessed with. There are very few things that I DON’T add it to. I love it on salads, guac, roasted chicken, boiled eggs, everything!

Penzey’s Spices Fox Point: This mix is a combination of salt, shallots, chives, garlic, onion, and pepper brings something to life. I love it on scrambled eggs, popcorn, veggies, and chicken and now boxed Mac and Cheese.