Unexpected Mac

Ingredients

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 12 oz TJ’s Unexpected Cheddar Chicken Sausage (sliced into half or quarter coins)
• 4 cup chicken broth
• 7 oz TJ’s Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread
• 2 cup baby spinach
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Steps

1. 1

   Slice the chicken sausage into half coins or quarter coins.

2. 2

   Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.

3. 3

   Add the sliced sausage to the skillet and brown until cooked through, about 4–5 minutes.

4. 4

   Make room in the pan by pushing the sausage to the sides and add 1 lb of elbow macaroni.

5. 5

   Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth and stir to make sure the pasta and sausage are covered.

6. 6

   Bring the liquid to a boil, then cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 10 minutes.

7. 7

   Stir the mixture once or twice throughout the simmering process to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan.

8. 8

   Once most of the liquid has been absorbed, remove the lid.

9. 9

   Stir in 7 oz of Unexpected Cheddar cheese spread until it is completely melted and combined into a creamy sauce.

10. 10

    Add 2 cups of baby spinach to the pan and replace the lid for 1–2 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt.

11. 11

    Remove the lid and stir everything together one final time before serving.

Notes

The creator notes that the spinach can be left out if your children prefer a more traditional mac and cheese. The Unexpected Cheddar spread is the key ingredient that provides the creamy texture without needing to make a separate roux or cheese sauce.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• dinner
• pasta
• one-pan
• kid-friendly
• trader joes
• mac and cheese