When my son was a young child, his favorite dish for lunch was macaroni and cheese. Everyday I'd ask him "what would you like for lunch?" He'd always respond with a smile "mac and cheese." I always knew what his answer would be.

I think mac and cheese is on top of a lot of kid's favorite foods list. I remember it was on mine. Macaroni and cheese has never been boring just by itself because I love it so much. But there is so much that you can do with it to make it more fun and tasty. You can add a variety of meats, vegetables, sauces, dips, and more to change up the texture and taste and just to make something different for a change for your family.

* hot dogs

* ground beef

* ground turkey

* chicken

* tuna

* veal

* onions

* green, yellow, and red peppers

* broccoli

* beans

* peas

* spinach

* mushrooms

* tomatoes

* bacon

* parsley

* garlic

* sour cream

* potatoes

* eggs

* carrots

* cauliflower

* ham

* chili

* shrimp

* crab

* salsa

Here is a recipe that I recently tried and enjoyed

 Ingredients

Try adding your favorite food items to the ordinary macaroni and cheese dish. Go against the norm and add something totally off the beaten path. Try something new. You never know, you may find a unique combination that will exhilarate those taste buds and also end up being a new family favorite.

2 1/2 uncooked cups whole wheat spiral noodles
1 lb. extra lean ground beef
2 cups frozen/fresh broccoli
1 cup fat free milk
3 ounces light cheddar cheese, shredded
3 ounces light swiss cheese, shredded
2 tbs flour
1 tbs I can’t believe it’s not butter, melted
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Cook the pasta following the package directions. Cook the beef in a skillet and drain well. Microwave the broccoli until tender.

Meanwhile in a medium sauce pan, add the flour and slowly add the milk to form a paste, using whisk. Make sure you get out all the lumps. Keep stirring over medium heat and add both cheeses. Stir until creamy and slightly thickens.

Add butter to cooked spiral noodles. Then add all ingredients together and mix well. Serve immediately.

Try adding your favorite food items to the ordinary macaroni and cheese dish. Go against the norm and add something totally off the beaten path. Try something new. You never know, you may find a unique combination that will exhilarate those taste buds and also end up being a new family favorite.