Easy Mac & Cheese for Pizza Night

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company, all opinions are mine alone. #GrabSomeCheer #CollectiveBias

I love making dinner time easy, especially during the holiday season. That's why I always make sure to stock up on family favorites that can make preparing dinner easy for me on those really busy days. I also love taking advantage of a good deal. We go to the movies a few times a month, which can get pricey so when I saw the Fandango deal at Albertsons, I had to scoop it up. Because the products included in the deal are items I already buy for the family, it was easy enough for both my daughter and I to take advantage of it.

Get $5 towards a movie ticket, with $10 purchase of participating products in one transaction. Shoppers will receive a code on the Catalina receipt and will be directed to the Fandango site to redeem the movie ticket reward. See offer details. Offer End Date: 12/31/17

The holiday themed Coca-Cola™ glass bottles are one of my favorite things about the holidays. I actually love taking these little boxes to friends and family, especially when I can get them for only $3.99!

Gold Peak® Sweet Tea is a favorite of mine that I always have in the fridge. This is my all day drink and pairs well with just about any lunch or dinner.

Red Baron Pizza is always an easy way to get the family fed. All I have to do to make a complete dinner is fix up a quick side, and voila, dinner is ready.

One of our favorites on pizza night is a very cheesy Mac & Cheese that includes Cotija Cheese (a very flavorful Mexican cheese) that gives this dish an extra kick of flavor. If you have 30 minutes, you can quickly whip this up and give the fam something warm and hearty to go with their Red Baron Pizza.

Easy Easy Mac & Cheese con Cotija
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup of milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups of shredded cheese mix (we used Monterrey Jack & Cotija)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Bring a pot of how water to boil adding salt and pasta
While pasta is cooking add butter to large pan or skillet and melt
Add flour to butter and stir for about 2 minutes
Add milk, salt and pepper to mixture and mix vigorously with wisk
Cook for 5-6 minutes until mixture thickens
Add cheese mixture and again, stir until it's smooth and melted. Remove from heat.
Once pasta is done drain and add to mixture
Pour mixture into a baking safe dish for 20-25 minutes or until browned

Top with Cotija cheese crumbles, a little bit of chopped parsley and if you want an added kick of spice you can also add a sprinkling of chopped serrano chile. We opted out on the chili because of the children.

This quick meal at home that includes this hearty and warm mac & cheese is the perfect way to enjoy a good meal without having to spend hours at the stove or on cleanup. We can instead enjoy our meal as we watch a holiday movie or catch up on each others day.