There was a time in my life as a mom that I made boxed macaroni and cheese several times a week. It’s simply a kid-friendly (and therefore mom-friendly) dish. Since my kids are bigger, I’ve gotten out of the habit of making mac and cheese very often but the fact is, I still love macaroni and cheese. It’s comfort food.
This past week, I experimented a little with a homemade white cheddar mac and cheese and was blown away by how quick and easy it was…and how absolutely delicious it tasted. I took a risk by adding grilled apples to the recipe, but it totally payed off. The apples added a fun sweetness to the cheesy dish which I especially loved since I am allergic to raw apples and usually only eat my cooked apples in desserts covered in sugar.
This dish cooks up very quickly, but you do have to have a few things going at once – the pot of water for the pasta, the indoor grill for the chicken, and the saucepan for the sauce. I was able to handle it all on my own, though.
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Grilled Chicken and Apples
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 tablespoons white flour
- 2 cups low-fat milk
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1-2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Seasoned salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ? teaspoon ground pepper
- Pinch of paprika
- 1 medium apple, sliced, peel on
- 1 stalk green onion, chopped
- Cook macaroni pasta per package instructions.
- Sprinkle chicken with seasoned salt to taste. Cook chicken on an indoor or outdoor grill (or in a fry pan if necessary) while pasta and sauce are cooking. When I use my indoor grill, chicken cooks in about 7 minutes. Cut chicken into thin slices.
- In a medium saucepan on medium heat, add butter and cook until melted. Add flour and mix thoroughly.
- Pour in milk gradually and stir to combine. Heat mixture until milk is hot - do not boil.
- Add shredded or cubed cheese to milk mixture and cook, stirring until cheese is melted.
- Add sliced apples to grill and cook for just a minute (you may have to put foil underneath if you're cooking on an outdoor grill. If you're using an indoor grill or fry pan, use the same cooking surface as the chicken) - sprinkle with a touch of seasoned salt if desired.
- Drain macaroni and combine pasta and sauce. Sprinkle with paprika, seasoned salt and pepper to taste. Toss with grilled chicken and apples.
- To serve, sprinkle with green onions and serve with a side of green peas.
Today, the #15MinuteSuppers bloggers have teamed up to bring you macaroni and cheese supper ideas in only 15 minutes. So, while the kids are having their plain mac&cheese you can dress yours up and create something more supper worthy! Have you been enjoying all these delicious and quick meals every Friday? Our goal is to help you get a meal on your table in less time than you could get take out or order a pizza.
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and look for the #15MinuteSuppers hashtag too
You have to check out these delicious 15 Minute Suppers:
Bacon Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese from Lizzie Jane Baby
Veggie Macaroni and Cheese from Just 2 Sisters
Mac n Cheese with Pepper and Bacon from Sunshine and Sippy Cups
Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese with Bacon from Songs Kate Sang
Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese from Around My Family Table
If you are a blogger and you’d like more info, please check out the 15 Minute Suppers website or ask to join the Facebook group to participate on Fridays…we’d love to have you join us.
A few of the #15MinuteSuppers bloggers have joined together to help spread the word about this new project we are working on. We’re excited to offer this Amazon.com giveaway below! Giveaway ends 11/26.
Enter to win an
$80 Amazon Gift Card
just in time for holiday shopping!
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I hope you enjoy it! I just love quick and easy dinners :)
This is an amazing idea. I do believe its tonights menu. Pinned
This recipe sounds delicious, I never thought about adding apples into this recipe, it sounds like something my whole family would enjoy.
I think that the #15MinuteSuppers movement is an awesome idea because it would make cooking a joy and not a burden. I am psych about the Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese recipe – sounds good
I can’t wait to try this. It looks so good!
My days are so long at work that by the time I come home, cooking a “good” wholesome meal just feels like so much. I love this 15 minute supper idea – taking away the processed foods, yet still allowing busy working moms time to put together a nutritious meal.
I am all for the 15 minute suppers. Life is too short to be slaving over the stove on a daily basis and if you can find quick recipes that taste great it makes life better
This sounds great! It will make a terrific addition to our holiday table this year! Anything with cheese and pasta is a hit with my kids!
I live in Wisconsin.. of course I’m going to love this recipe!
This looks delicious! I love recipes for 15 minute suppers.
Sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try it!!
I think it looks totally yummy! I love white cheddar and green onions make everything taste great. I love the idea of apples too. I never have the time to cook but I think 15 minutes to make such a tasty meal is a great idea and better than pizza or opening a can of Chef Boyardee.
I love the idea of the 15minute suppers. We are so busy and need all the help we can get.
Sounds good. I never had apples in mac and cheese before
i love the idea of #15 minute suppers because even 30 minute meals can be too much to prepare in really busy days but don’t want to eat out all the time.
Since it is mac and cheese it must be good!
This looks absolutely delicious! I have never really used fruit in recipes like this but will have to try it.
This recipe looks absolutely delicious!
Looks good! And a great meal for busy families
This recipe sounds so delicious and definitely something my kiddos would eat.
I am curious to see how this would taste im not sure about apples on this dish but i would like to try it to see if i like it.
white cheddar looks good
I have seen recipes with chicken and apples before, but never tried them. This recipe looks like an easy way to try the combo! Thanks for the giveaway as well!
I like the sweetness of an apple added to the emal
Love the 15minuteSupper idea. Anything to feed the family. We are expecting and I dont feel like standing in the kitchen for a long time. Thanks for the timely ideas. Love the idea of adding protein, carbs and fat in the same dish.
This recipe looks amazing, I love white cheddar
I love the idea of it all taking only 15 minutes and really liked your recipe but the only thing I would do is eliminate the onions, and I would take off the peel on the apples (I wonder how much that would make the recipe taste different)
I think it’s a great idea for busy Moms
I like #15MinuteSuppers movement, quick and easy recipes are the best.
I never would have thought to put these ingredients together! Thanks so much for the recipe- I love that the mac and cheese just got a little healthier :)
This recipe sounds good. I love the combination of chicken with apples.
This sounds delicious and unique.