Day 21 - The Rodriguez's & the Ridgway's

Today was another big group day. I had my Aunt Vanessa & cousin Staci over to join my family & Tyler and Daisy. They always get to sneak in for meals! haha

We had a pretty dang good meal too! Mac & Cheese and Chicken. Seriously Bloggies... Seriously the most delicious thing ever! I love me some Mac & Cheese and this knocked my socks off! Yes, it's a little more work than tossing in some cheese whiz, but it's soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo worth it!

Then we had cupcakes and Daisy showed off her frosting mustache.

Totes adorbes. I love that little girl with all my heart! Her brother too!

How can you not melt looking at that smile!

Please take a little extra time & try this Mac & Cheese. You will fall in love! I promise!

Chicken Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1-2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, crushed

Salt & ground pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

8 oz dried mostaccioli, ziti or penne pasta

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp all-purpose flour

2 tbsp tomato paste

3 cups milk

8 oz smoked Cheddar, Gruyere or Swiss cheese, shredded (2 cups)

2 cups soft sourdough or French bread crumbs

2 oz finely shredded Parmesan or Romano cheese (1/2 cup)

2 tbsp butter, melted

(Serves 6)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces.

3. In a large skillet, cook chicken, Italian (or desired) seasoning blend, salt and pepper in hot oil over medium heat until chicken is no longer pink.

4. Remove from skillet and set aside.

5. In a large pot cook pasta according to the directions, drain and return to pot.

6. Meanwhile, in the same skillet you cooked the chicken, cook onion and garlic in 3 tbsp hot butter over medium heat until tender.

7. Stir in flour until well combined.

8. Stir in tomato paste and add milk.

9. Cook & stir until mixture is thickened & bubbly; reduce heat.

10. Add shredded cheese & stir until cheese is almost melted & remove from heat.

11. Season to taste with salt & pepper.

12. Add sauce & chicken to cooked pasta in pot; stir to coat and spoon mixture into a 2 quart baking dish.

13. In a small bowl, stir together bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and 3 tbsp melted butter. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over pasta mixture.

14. Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes or until bread crumb mixture is golden and the edges are bubbly.

15. Let Stand for 10 minutes before serving.