Are you even a 90s child if you didn’t have Kraft Mac and Cheese? Our moms didn’t let us have this often, so it was always a treat when we were allowed to eat this. In fact, Karthik’s favorite food is Mac and Cheese and has been since he was little. Over the years, our palates may have broadened in the spectrum of foods we eat, but there is still something ever so comforting about a bowl of good ol’ Kraft. Here we’ve upgraded boxed pasta with some veggies, spices and the ultimate seasoning: Everything But the Elote from Trader Joes. It has a great spicy, smokey quality and we’ve recently been using it in everything from salads to tacos! 

Tips & Tricks

• We play around a lot with the veggies we use in this – mushrooms, zucchini and even frozen corn work great
• To add some protein to this, we sometimes will cut up tofurkey brauts, sauté and add them to the pasta
• For an added spicy kick, add a couple dashes of Cholula or Franks Red Hot sauce 

Recipe Information

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 3-4 servings 

Ingredients

• 1 box Kraft Mac and Cheese
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 white onion diced
• 1 jalapeño diced
• 1/2 bag fresh spinach
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Trader Joes Everything but the Elote Seasoning
• Salt/Pepper

Directions

1. Cook macaroni according to box instructions 
2. Sauté onions and jalapeños and add all seasoning to taste; cook until soft ~5-7 min
3. Add spinach and lower to medium heat, cover and cook till spinach is wilted
4. Add in cooked macaroni, milk and cheese powder and stir till combined
5. Add butter and adjust seasoning as needed; if needed add an additional tablespoon or two of milk