One bowl, six basic ingredients and 30 minutes makes a very full and happy belly.

Last week was National Mac & Cheese Day, a time to celebrate one of America’s favorite dishes.
Mac & cheese is also the ultimate in comfort food. In addition to being mighty tasty, its economical and easy to make.

It’s interesting how something so basic can also be so varied from recipe to recipe.

Cheddar, provolone, cooper sharp, colby jack or Swiss?

Stove or microwave? Start with the pasta already cooked or throw it into the pot uncooked with all the other ingredients?

Many folks make their favorite dishes the same way their mother and grandmother did. Comfort food has the ability to bring back memories from long ago.

I love macaroni & cheese, in fact, it’s one of my favorite things to eat

Over the years I’ve tried many recipes and had it at many restaurants, however, none was or is as scrumptious as the kind my grandmother and mother prepared. It’s the only kind I ever made or ever will make.

This mac & cheese is so simple to make and takes less than half an hour from start to ready to eat.

All you need is one large microwave safe bowl and six everyday items every kitchen should have on hand. Pasta, cheese, salt, pepper, butter and tomato soup. Yep, undiluted tomato soup changes the taste and appearance completely.

Here’s the blueprint.

Using a large microwave safe bowl, fill it with water about ¾ the way. Add a pinch of salt to the water and microwave to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and microwave about 18 minutes.

Drain and rinse with warm water and place back into the bowl. Next add your cheese, butter, salt, pepper and the tomato soup and microwave uncovered for about 4 minutes until the cheese is melted.

At this point you could either serve this or jazz it up a little more by adding some chopped up bacon, French fried onions or broccoli chopped into pieces.

Occasionally I’ll add a thin layer of breadcrumbs on top and place under the broiler until the crumbs are toasted.
Be sure to partake in this cheesy creation that is comfort food at its best.

Mac & cheese & soup recipe
Ingredients:
• Half a box San Giorgio Trio Italiano pasta, or your favorite pasta
• 1 pound cheddar cheese or a mix of colby, cooper and cheddar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 stick of butter
• 1/3 can of undiluted tomato soup