Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

While this post doesn't come with pictures (my apologies), I promise you that this recipe doesn't disappoint. Our family didn't have a go-to recipe, and one 4th of July we decided that a big pan of yellow, delicious macaroni and cheese would pair perfectly with grilled ribs. We knew that we didn't want anything too complicated, or a recipe that had eggs (pure preference, we just don't like eggs in our mac and cheese). So to Google we went. This seemed to be the winner right away; 3 different cheeses, no eggs (yay!), and ingredients we already had on hand. My father-in-law raved about this dish, and now we make it for nearly every occasion where large groups of people are involved. Mac and Cheese may not be your typical Thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas side dish, but it's ours now. I hope you try this and love it, and if you do, let me know what you think!

 Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Courtesy of cooks.com

3 tbsp. butter
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 1/2 c. milk
2 c. Cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese
1 c. Mozzarella cheese
1 (16 oz.) box elbow macaroni

In large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth; take off heat. Little by little, stir in milk until smooth. Stir constantly for 10 minutes on heat until thick; take off heat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, Velveeta cheese and Mozzarella cheese until melted.Put cooked macaroni in a greased casserole dish, pour cheese mixture over and mix well. Sprinkle *paprika and leftover Cheddar cheese on top.
Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
Recipe can be halved.

*Paprika isn't on the ingredient list, but if you have, it, certainly sprinkle it on top. We've skipped it before and it comes out just fine, too.

Chelsea 

One year ago today... An anniversary post.

One year ago today, I sat in a chair getting my hair and makeup done, surrounded by cousins, my sister, and one of my very best friends.

On that same day, Corey was in a hotel room trying to figure out a bow tie, and showing off his purple argyle socks to a photographer.

At 3 pm, my Dad took my arm and walked me down the aisle to the other man in my life that I love so dearly. That same sweet man that surprised me late last night by telling me he had taken the day off from work to spend it all with me. I love him.

I won't make this long, so I can spend all the time I can with him before dozing off later tonight, but I'd love to share some photos...In no particular order.

Church of The Blessed Sacrament in Rochester, NY

  

Just being happy at the altar, Father Bob was probably saying something witty. : )

County Office Building in Rochester, NY

Lovely and tasty wedding cake!

 My Dad and I.

 My Nana, my mom's mom.

 Ready to be married!

Corey and his mom, Jan during the mother-son dance.

 Corey and his groomsman, Nick.

 

 Corey and the groomsmen - on a local elephant statue : )

The sweetest ring bearer ever, Jackson.

Corey's parents, Jan and Dave.

My parents, Earl and Sherry.

My father hired a bagpiper in honor of my grandfather, and our amazing photographer caught this moment as I was tearing up.

 The t-shirt I wore early in the day to get ready in. I may wear it to bed on occasion : )

Hope you enjoyed reminiscing our wedding almost as much as we are today.

<3 Chelsea

Friday Favorite Finds

First, I'd like to wish my parents a happy 27th anniversary! On this day in 1985, they were married at the Los Angeles Arboretum, in this beautiful gazebo.

Now onto some hot meals that will keep colds and sinus infections at bay. (I could use one of those right about now).


Pioneer Woman's Italian Sloppy Joes. Meat sauce and mozzarella on top of store-bought Texas Toast. I never thought of this - and it's so easy and delicious-sounding. Can't wait for this one!

 

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Garlic Balsamic Vinaigrette. Carole from My Kitchen Escapades says that salad with this dressing is her most-requested dish. Salad dressing of (most) any kind is my favorite "condiment." So excited to make this one.

Source: mykitchenescapades.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Cheesy Onion Casserole - think French Onion Soup, minus the broth. It's all the good stuff in a casserole dish - this is a strong possibility for this year's Thanksgiving menu. I may or may not already have a Word document on my desktop titled "Thanksgiving Menu 2012."

Source: instructables.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Idaho Sunrise Potatoes from Our Best Bites - Omelet fillings inside a baked potato, topped with an egg. My kind of breakfast! I'm thinking this Sunday morning!

Source: ourbestbites.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Geeze, I am really craving a warm, chewy cookie right about now. I recently discovered a nice Analon 14x16 (I think) cookie sheet amongst a few unused wedding gifts I kind of forgot about. (Oops). It bakes cookies really nicely, even if they are store-bought, pre-cut oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Source: sallysbakingaddiction.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

What's on your list this week? This post is linked to Finding Joy In My Kitchen , and all recipes were embedded with Pinterest - so give the original owners/authors some credit!

-Chelsea

(Early) Menu Plan and a wedding!

As I sit here on Saturday (watching Ohio State beat play Cal, and admittedly some Forensic Files and The Voice), I'm surfing Pinterest and Food Network.com for some new ideas. For our menu this week, we are planning hot, easy, and delicious meals, including staples that I don't need a recipe for, and can just throw together in just minutes. Corey's brother is getting married Saturday, and with Corey as the best man, there is much to do before the big day!

Sunday - Beef Stroganoff from The Country Cook 

Monday - Giada's Italian Baked Chicken and Pastina

Tuesday - Hot Dog - Bean Casserole (One of my favorites, in fact since my birthday is approaching, this meal is perfect. I used to request that my mom make it every October 7th, and sometimes she agreed, since I'm just about the only one who eats it - and now Corey does too)

Wednesday - Mr. Food's Bread Bowl Chili (Our go-to recipe)

Thursday - Homemade Stir Fry

Friday - Rehearsal Dinner at The Gate House

Saturday -  Wedding!

*On Monday, I will link this post to I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan Monday

It was a great day for football yesterday; The New England Patriots and The New York Jets both won (Mine and Corey's teams)! I'm excited about our menu this week - we've got some new dishes to try and some old favorites. I'm hoping the 60 degree weather also sticks around!  

Monday Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken

Tuesday Taco Pasta Bake (New)

Wednesday Broccoli Stuffed Chicken

Thursday Dumpling Soup (We've had this on the menu for the past 3 weeks and still haven't made it. This week I'm determined!

Friday Beer Chicken (New) - this one I'm hoping is really good. Saturday Soup and Sandwiches

Enjoy your week!

This post is linked with I'm an Organizing Junkie.

-Chelsea

Menu Plan Monday & Our Fun Weekend!

Linking up again to I'm An Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday!

Sunday - Grilled Chicken, Fingerling Potatoes, Crusty Bread, and Salad

Monday - Cheeseburger Pasta (because we didn't make it last week).

Tuesday - Fantasy Football Draft Day! (Big thing for the Cashers (and my Dad, Mr. Adam)) We're having homemade pizza and snacks for later on.

Wednesday - Shake and Bake Pork Chops (With traditional Shake and Bake from the box).

Thursday - Taco Night

Friday - Game Day Beef Stew (From "A Man, A Can, and A Plan"). Pictures and Recipe to come!

Saturday - English Muffin Pizzas (I sometimes serve these with Kraft Mac & Cheese). Kid food is sometimes just so delicious and comforting.


Last Wednesday we made our trip to Pittsburgh, PA to see our favorite baseball team, The Los Angeles Dodgers. The weather was great, and they won the first day we were there. We ate delicious food at Jerome Bettis' Grille 36 , and at The Hard Rock Cafe. Next time I'll act on my Primanti Brothers craving; after burgers for lunch, I wasn't sure I could handle a sandwich topped with french fries. No, seriously, check it out: Primanti Bros.

This is us before the game last Thursday. Yes, that is a sunburn from walking to PNC Park from our restaurant.

Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL team. As a football fan, this place was just awesome up close. Maybe you recognize this stadium, also, from The Dark Night Rises, if you're a Batman fan like me.

Pittsburgh was great, I will definitely be visiting again! Friday we took a day to rest, and Saturday my sister and I went to see Eric Church in concert.

We seriously had the best time ever. I'm sure he's amazing in any seat you have at his concerts, but from the 3rd row, he was seriously fantastic. This was during his super-popular song, Springsteen.

Remember to check out I'm An Organizing Junkie for Menu Planning and more! Hope you all had an amazing weekend, too!

Chelsea

Menu Plan Monday (Our First Official Menu Plan as "The Cashers!")

Happy Monday, friends! We're back with a menu plan - having an iPhone has seriously helped our shopping and planning habits. The Shopping List App won't plan your menu, but adding each item with its quantity, price (including tax), and having the list save the amounts so your next shopping trip you don't have to, is a lifesaver. Best $2.99 I've spent regarding grocery shopping. So, we scour Pinterest and other blogs and cookbooks, make our menu, and add the necessary ingredients and other household essentials to our list. Corey loves it for its exactness - he's the budgeter - and I love it because it keeps him happy during our shopping trips, and it helps me remember everything we need! (Not sponsored or paid for by Apple - I just love this app).

This week is a really fun week - for Corey's Master's graduation, I bought him tickets to see our favorite MLB team The Los Angeles Dodgers in Pittsburgh, and I'm so excited I've already had Corey's team shirts packed since Sunday!

So for the menu...We made a Menu board based on this photo below and the pictures of our menu board will come - we started the week on Sunday since that's when we grocery shop - so our list goes Sunday - Saturday instead of Monday - Sunday.

                                        Source: thestewartestate.blogspot.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Sunday - Steak dinner at Chelsea's parents. (It was fantastic).
 
Monday (Today) - Cheeseburger Pasta (Easy and Delicious)!

Tuesday -

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Wednesday -Pittsburgh - either eating out or at PNC Park for the Dodgers game!

Thursday -Pittsburgh - eating out after the Dodgers game!

Friday - Hot Dogs on the grill - that is if we don't eat hots at the ball game before Friday!

Saturday -  On your own - Chelsea and her sister are going to see Eric Church in concert!

What's your menu this week? Have you been to Pittsburgh? We'd love "good eats" recommendations!

This post is linked to I'm an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. All photos were embedded from Pinterest; please link from the author's direct post, and not my blog. Thanks!

Chelsea