Well folks, it’s here… The OIFFCIAL first day back to school, & we think it’s safe to say that we’ve got the whole healthy lunch box thing down PAT, because if there’s one thing we’re experts on – it’s whole, healthy & nutrient-rich foods! So to help commemorate a new school year, we thought we’d share a few different healthy ways to enjoy one of the true lunchbox classics… Annie’s Mac N’ Cheese!!! Which… by the way is on sale for $1.99 this September! ENJOY!

Annie’s Mac N’ Cheese… 5 WAYS!  

Hands up if you LOVE Mac N’ Cheese – ps. I am fully expecting all of you to have your hands raised at the current moment!!! This childhood delicacy was definitely at the very tip TOP of my list whenever my mom would ask me what I wanted in my school lunch box as a kid!! And to be completely honest, I still eat it on the regular as a fully-grown adult too… In fact I just devoured a box of Annie’s Shells & White Cheddar Mac N’ Cheese the other night – which may or may not have inspired me to create this post for you all today! 

Now before we get into the good stuff – AKA 5 amazingly delicious different spins on Mac N’ Cheese – I thought I’d really embrace the whole “Back to School” theme and go over a little Annie’s 101 with a few Fun Facts!

Did YOU know that…. 

• Annie first sold her homemade Mac N’ Cheese out of her truck when she cofounded the company in 1989?! She created the company because she couldn’t find an all-natural macaroni & cheese on the market! And thank GOODNESS she did because it is delicious with a capital D!
• Annie’s Mac N’ Cheese is made with Organic Pasta & Real Cheese! When sourcing ingredients, Annie’s only partners with companies they know & trust – from the organic wheat cultivators to the flour & to the organic dairy farmers!
• They REALLY care about the environment! In 2012, Annie’s building became LEED Gold Certified, meaning that it meets high standards for sustainable and environmental design. Not only that, in 2015 Annie’s was awarded with the Bay Area Acterra Award which recognizes best sustainability practices! Good for your body AND for the environment! Yay Annie’s!

Okay… school’s out! Below are some AWESOME new Mac N’ Cheese recipes you NEED to try out this school year! And they’re BOTH kid AND adult-approved! 

1.Mac N Cheese Grilled Cheese

Okay so this recipe essentially combines the two GREATEST childhood meals on the entire face of the planet! Not to mention, this recipe is so incredibly easy! 

Here’s What You’ll Need… 

• 1 Box of Annie’s Original Mac N’ Cheese
• 2 Cups of Cheddar Cheese
• 8 Slices of Whole Grain Bread
• Butter (to spread on bread)

Directions

1. Follow directions on the Annie’s Mac N’ Cheese box
2. Once the Mac N’ Cheese has cooked, set aside!
3. Spread butter onto one side of each piece of bread
4. Placing the bread butter side down, sprinkle cheddar cheese and then spoon out macaroni on top. Then top with another slice of bread, butter side up
5. Heat a large pan on medium heat and place sandwiches onto the pan
6. Cook until bread turns golden brown, flip and cook the other side
7. Serve with natural and organic tomato soup!!

2. Cheeseburger Mac N’ Cheese

This is a bit of a healthy spin on Hamburger Helper! I added some veggies in their just to build up the flavour profile and squeeze in a few extra nutrients!

Here’s What You’ll Need… 

• 1 Box of Annie’s Spiral Mac N’ Cheese
• Chopped red peppers, mushrooms, onions
• Chopped up cooked hamburger
• Olive Oil
• 1 Tbsp of BBQ Sauce

Directions

1. Follow directions on the Annie’s Mac N’ Cheese box
2. Once the Mac N’ Cheese has cooked, set aside
3. Meanwhile heat a large pan on medium heat with olive oil sauté chopped vegetables
4. Mix in cooked hamburger pieces, stir
5. Add in Mac N’ Cheese
6. Add in BBQ Sauce
7. Mix
8. Serve!

3.Mac N Cheese Cups

These are perfect if you’re on the go, OR if you have a bunch of kids coming over for an after-school play date! It totally minimizes the mess because no dishware or cutlery is required for these bad boys! 

Here’s What You’ll Need… 

• 1 Box of Annie’s Sharp Cheddar Mac N’ Cheese
• ½ Bread Crumbs
• 1 egg beaten

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400
2. Follow directions on the Annie’s Mac N’ Cheese Add in egg & mix well
3. Once the macaroni & cheese is cooked, spoon into 12 muffin cups!
4. Top with bread crumbs
5. Bake for 15 minutes
6. Remove from oven and let it rest
7. Serve!

4. Sautéed Kale Mac N’ Cheese

Remember as a kid when your mom used to mask vegetables by hiding them in your favourite foods? Well THIS is essentially the same thing… except it tastes amazing! Plus the white cheddar mixed with bitter kale is an EXCELLENT contrast!

Here’s What You’ll Need…

• 1 Box of Annie’s Shells & White Cheddar Mac N’ Cheese
• Chopped Garlic
• Kale
• Olive Oil

Directions 

1. Follow directions on the Annie’s Mac N’ Cheese box
2. Once the Mac N’ Cheese has cooked, set aside
3. Meanwhile heat a large pan on medium heat with olive oil and chopped garlic
4. Add in kale & sauté
5. Add sautéed kale into the white mac n’ cheese
6. Mix
7. Serve!

 5. Mac N’ Cheese Stuffed Peppers 

I tried stuffed peppers for the very first time a couple of years ago, and it is literally my newfound favourite meal! So I absolutely love this fun spin on it! 

Here’s What You’ll Need…

• 1 Box of Annie’s Original Mac N’ Cheese
• 4 Bell Peppers – Halved and stemmed
• 4 tbsp bread crumbs
• a dash of cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450
2. Follow directions on the Annie’s Mac N’ Cheese box
3. Once the Mac N’ Cheese has cooked, set aside
4. Fill each pepper half with macaroni and cheese
5. Sprinkle with bread crumbs
6. Place in the oven and back for about 20-25 minutes