A box of macaroni and cheese mix and a few veggies are all you need for mason jar veggie macaroni and cheese, and an affordable and cheery dinner in no time!
This mason jar veggie macaroni and cheese is not my usual approach. When it comes to mac and cheese, I tend to be a make-it-from-scratch kind of girl, and I have a number of recipes right here on the blog that let you do just that. But every once in a while, you need to go for the box.
You know the box I am talking about – the macaroni and packet of cheese mixture that we all lived on during those college and just past college days that sometimes meant the difference between supper and no supper. Boxed macaroni and cheese has come a loooong way since my college days, and when you add in veggies AND serve it out of a mason jar…it can be one fine, quick, economically delicious supper.
I am choosing now to share this mac and cheese approach with you, because if you have been around me or this blog or my Twitter or Instagram for the last few weeks, you know that THIS just happened.
Yup. My baby bunny and her friends are now officially off into the world. You are looking at (from left to right) an equine reproduction assistant, a medical scribe, a software systems consultant and a third grade teacher. They are all going to change the world, but in the meantime they might have times here and there that they need some super quick veggie macaroni and cheese. I might have to send them all a mason jar.
So how do you make mason jar veggie macaroni and cheese?
Well, you start with a 6 ounce box of mac and cheese. Pick your favorite kind – lately we love Annie’s classic mac and cheese, but any mac and cheese in a box will work.
While your mac and cheese is cooking, steam a little broccoli, cut up some cherry tomatoes, and then stir them into the mac and cheese as soon as it is done.
(SIDE NOTE: if you want to have the homemade version of mac and cheese with some veggies snuck in, I have that for you too.)
Then do the mason jar thing, because everything tastes better in a mason jar. (And okay, if you really want to have it in a bowl, go for it!)
So for those mac and cheese days when you want it and you want it now, or if you are just sentimental for your own mac and cheese in a box days, here’s the recipe! And if you have other ideas for these amazing young women and their first kitchens, leave ’em in the comments below.
Mason Jar Veggie Macaroni and Cheese
A box of macaroni and cheese mix and a few veggies are all you need for mason jar veggie macaroni and cheese, and an affordable and cheery dinner in no time!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- One box macaroni and cheese mix prepared according to package directions
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 cup broccoli, cut into small florets and simmered or steamed until done
Instructions
- Prepare mac and cheese according to package directions.
- While macaroni is cooking, prepare the veggies as described above.
- As soon as the mac and cheese is done, stir in the veggies.
- This really does taste great out of mason jar, but if you need to use a bowl I will understand.
Cynthia says
What size jar did you use?
Hi Cynthia! I usually use a 16 ounce mason jar for this recipe, and I’ve learned over time that a wide mouth mason jar makes things even easier. :)
Janet says
Nope. Tried this and it’s not good. It’s just better to have boxed Mac and cheese on its own 😖
Hi Janet – I appreciate you giving it a try, anyway! Happy weekend. :)
Ellie Love says
Just read this – I live & die by my Mason jars! I use a box of white Mac & cheese, add broccoli & sautéed mushrooms (can’t eat tomatos), plus chicken (shredded rotisserie chicken is really fast). I make many other meals in a jar too – shepherd’s pie, chilli with cornbread topping, stew with a biscuit or dumpling, lasagna (use frozen raviolis for a real easy cheat), all kinds of salads, desserts…..
Hi Ellie – and I agree! Everything tastes better when you eat it out of a mason jar! :)
Rebecca says
Do you think this would work well on the road? (Make a day ahead, refrigerate overnight then sit in and chiller bag for the day, then popped into the hotel microwave?
Hi Rebecca! I haven’t tried this but I don’t see why not! I would probably add a little water to the jar before heating it, just in case things have dried out a bit.
Koodo says
This sounds delishous. I might add some diced up leftover ham to the mix and I am definitely using mason jars. What a way to get my family excited about eating. ???? thanks for the idea.
Well I just LOVE the idea of mixing in ham. Or bacon!
Joanne says
Well now you’ve got me craving mac and cheese like WHOA. This is such a fun way to spruce up the boxed stuff!
My mac and cheese craving is with me 24/7! I think I am hard-wired for m&c. :)
Ala says
A huge congrats again for the big news! I’m so glad you were able to celebrate and share such a wonderful moment with us :) as for this mac and cheese, I’m also usually a from-scratch girl, but I LOVE that you did this mason jar style! So cute!
Thanks Ala! It was a wonderful time – almost as delicious as macaroni and cheese in mason jars! :)
Karen Nelson says
Don’t you just love Mason jars??! I just had a glass of iced tea out of one yesterday.. Makes things a bit more special. I love looking at them in antique stores and think what stories they could tell! (I also discovered that you can get plastic screw lids for storage with the jars… wish they weren’t plastic but they are kinda nice for frequent use.)
I am in the same camp on Mac n Cheese.. usually homemade but some of the boxed brands do a pretty good job, and have evolved. They are great especially when in a hurry, or on a budget. I will try the Horizon version for sure.
I wanted to mention that Trader Joe’s has a white cheddar /sea shell version that is good and Whole Foods, 365 store brand, is a winner too.
Wishing you and all a good day!
xxx
I do love me some mason jars – iced tea in a mason jar = summer!! Thanks for the Trader Joe’s tip – will have to try that one. Hugs from the East Coast to you!
Carrie W. says
Woah! How is she graduating already?!?! It seems like just yesterday you were sniveling about her leaving for college… I guess time flies in the blogosphere, too!
Love me some pumped up boxed mac-n-cheese! And let the young lady know that I make all sorts of grilled sammies, quesadillas and cheesy toasts on my George Foreman. If she doesn’t have one in her first kitchen, she should! :-)
I know – how is this POSSIBLE??? Great idea on the grill – I will add it to her new apartment list! :)