When I was a child, I was extremely picky about food. I’m sure that caused a lot of stress to my dad. However, there was always 2-3 things that I enjoyed eating. Mac & Cheese was top on that list. So when I was contacted by Italpasta to create a mac & cheese recipe using Canadian ingredients, I was all over it! Today I’m sharing a twist to one of my favorite childhood classic recipes: mac & cheese and topping it with some delicious Candian ingredients. Keep reading to learn how to create this delicious recipe.
Extra Cheesy Mac & Cheese Made With Canadian Ingredients
This post is in collaboration with Italpasta. Share your recipes using #YourCanadianMac (Read contest rules)
There’s something so nostalgic about mac & cheese in a box + you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this classic. Although I wanted to keep this recipe 100% Canadian, I couldn’t help it. I just HAD to add one of the few things I enjoyed in my mac & cheese when I was a child; weenies! Although optional, I feel that it made the recipe ten times more delicious and brought me back to those days when my sister and I used to make our own lunches.
Canadian ingredients?
The other day I asked my Facebook friends to share what they thought the MOST Canadian ingredients were. Maple syrup, Canadian cheese (OKA) and bacon were top on that list. I was able to get OKA cheese since we live just a few minutes away from the OKA cheese factory. Sadly, I didn’t find any peameal bacon! So I made do with some old fashion styled bacon. Ham would have been good too in this recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 Box of Italpasta White Cheddar Maccoroni & Cheese
- 3-4 slices of Old Fashion Style Bacon (Maple Flavored)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 1/2 cup of chopped weenies (optional – I like to boil them for a 5-10 minutes before using them in a dish)
- Chopped Fresh dill (for garnish – got mine fresh out of our garden!)
- OKA shredded cheese for topping
- 1/2 of half & half or 15% cream (can also use whole milk but I find that half & half makes it cheesier)
Directions:
- Cook your Italpasta mac & cheese (follow cooking instructions found on the box) – set aside
- Fry bacon until crispy – set aside
- Sauté your onions using the same dish that you fried the bacon with until golden brown (not burnt!) – set aside
- On Medium heat, pour your cooked pasta in a large pot, stir in the half & half stir well and the dry cheddar cheese mix. Stir it well – until the dry pasta is melted.
- Add all the rest of your cooked ingredients into the pasta mixture and keep stirring until they are coated with the cheese and pasta (try not to drool all over the pot).
- Serve HOT with some OKA cheese and fresh dill
About Italpasta
Italpatas is made from 100% Canadian Wheat, real Canadian cheddar, and no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.
Italpasta is definitively a favorite of our family. My kids are picky-eaters (wonder where they get that from…) but mac and cheese is one thing I know they both love and enjoy. I was pleased when they both devoured everything on their plates.
#YourCanadianMac Contest
Share your mac & cheese recipes using Canadian ingredients. Tag them using #YourCanadianMac for a chance to win an Italpasta price pack. Contest ends on August 31st, 2017, 11:59 pm EST. For complete rules visit Italpasta on Facebook. You can also follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
[Tweet “Share your recipes using #YourCandianMac for a chance to win http://bit.ly/2t94f0l”]
Hope you enjoyed this extra cheesy mac & cheese recipe I made using Canadian ingredients! Will you please share? Do you have a special childhood recipe that you still enjoy now as an adult? Love hearing from you guys!
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Let’s connect!
Booyah! When I see “extra cheesey” in a mac and cheese description, I know it’s a winner. Om nom nom.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle recently posted…Help For A Hectic Life: Meals Hot, Fresh, and Custom Made For Me
Mmmmm this looks so delicious and cheesy! I’m going to have to use this as inspiration for mac and cheese for my guys one night 😉
This looks really delicious! I love mac and cheese and when it’s extra cheesy, I’m very happy!
Amber Myers recently posted…Hey, It’s Okay
What a truly Canadian meal! I love OKA cheese and pea meal bacon is delicious!
So I’m kind of weird … mac ‘n cheese is one of the only pasta dishes I don’t like. My mom loves it though!
Looks like a yummy recipe – I’m sure my kids would love this! Plus easy to make too, which is perfect for all our busy nights when I’m trying to get meal on the table in a hurry.
Marysa recently posted…Showing the Moms in Your Life You Care
I bet this fantastic recipe this coming weekend. This is looks delicious and my family would love it as well.
That looks like a recipe that would be a hit with my family. Extra cheesy – YUM! And the Canadian ingredients are a bonus!
That looks so yummy. I love a super cheesy mac and cheese. I can’t wait to try this.
Dogvills recently posted…25 Cute Dogs That Will Make Your Day Instantly Better
Oh my, mac and cheese is my favorite! I would love to try it, looks really delicious!
Looks so yummy, will replace bacon as we don’t eat beef n pork ? but still recipe is easy n looking so yummy
Thanks for sharing dear ??
I just love macaroni and cheese. This looks like a fancy one with bacon and dill, etc! Yum!
Stephanie Pass recently posted…S’mores – The Official Dessert of the BBQ
Mac and cheese is a favorite in our home and it would be nice to try different recipes to make things more interesting! I’m definitely into this one, it looks so delicious!
Mac n Cheese is a staple around our house. I haven’t tried making it on my own yet but this recipe sounds right up my alley. I will have to give it a try.
Up Run for Life recently posted…42 Healthy Watermelon Recipes to Try on National Watermelon Day
Wow! That looks terrific. I just love taking a box of Mac-n-Cheese and turning it into a wholesome, tasty meal. This one looks great.
This mac and cheese sounds interesting for sure! I would never have thought to put those ingredients in it! Looks good though!
ricci recently posted…My Current Skincare Routine
I totally love a cheesy baked mac or mac & cheese! It truly makes a wonderful easy go-to meal. I will have to give this a try asap! Yum.
Angela Ricardo Bethea recently posted…OOTD Saved with Dove Invisible Dry Spray Antiperspirant
This is a staple in our house. Thanks for a new version.
That looks yummy! Mac & Cheese is one of our son’s all time faves. He can have it not only once a day, but maybe more.
Very mouthwatering who doesn’t love Mac and Cheese? I like trying a different varieties of recipe just like this. Definitely a big hit.