Freezer Friendly Loaded Mac N' Cheese

This month I am featuring pasta! Even though it is warming up, summer is a great time to stock up your freezer in preparation for busier months. Pasta dishes usually keep 3-4 months in the freezer and they are so easy to store using the foil pans sold at the dollar store. They are some of my favorite freezer meals to accumulate, not only for my family but also to share with other families for meal trains or just to give them a break. 

 I have featured my plan Mac N' Cheese before, but this one is a meal in itself. It is loaded with meat, vegetables and bread crumbs. I promise it is hearty enough to serve as a main dish. 

Loaded Mac N' Cheese 

Yields: 2 8x8 Pans

Ingredients:

16 oz. uncooked noodles

¼ cup butter 

½ tsp salt 
2 TB of coconut oil 

1 pound of ground beef or turkey

1/2 tsp onion powder 

1 tsp Cajun seasoning 

¼ cup flour 

1 ¾ cup milk

20 oz of cheddar cheese
1 yellow squash chopped
1 zucchini chopped 
1 red bell pepper

½ cup Panko Style Bread Crumbs 

Directions:

Chop all vegetables into small pieces. In a large sauce pan cook the vegetables with a few tablespoons of coconut oil. Once cooked through, place to side. 

Cook the meat in the same sauce pan, until browned. We use beef, but this would be good with chicken or sausage. Combine the meat and vegetables. 

Cook the noodles per package instruction for al dente. You do not want them completely cooked through, as they will be cooking more in the oven. 

Combine noodles with vegetable and meat mixture. 

Have all other ingredients laid out and ready to make the cheese roux. Over medium to high heat, melt butter in large saucepan. Once completely melted add in the flour and mix well. Take pan off of the heat and add in milk, mixing well. Place sauce back on low to medium heat and stir constantly until it thickens. Remove from heat and add in the cheese, leaving a small portion for the topping. 

Combine cheese sauce with noodles, meat and vegetables. Place in greased 8x8 pans. 

For the topping combine remaining cheese and bread crumbs. Place evenly over the different casseroles. 

Cook at 350° for 25-30 minutes until bubbly. Place under broiler for 1-2 minutes to brown the bread crumbs. Serve warm! 

If freezing, let cool completely before freezing. Top with foil and wrap with Saran Wrap to keep from freezer burn. 

If reheating frozen, the cooking time will be 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, covered. Remove cover the last 20 minutes. You can also remove the dish 1-2 days before you are reheating to allow time to thaw. 

Your family will love this dish and trust me, it is the perfect freezer meal!! 

Next week I am sharing a money saving tip that you will LOVE to have in your freezer. Stay tuned! 

Happy freezing, 

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