Summer is here and we are officially in “quick and easy” mode here at my house. The kids are out of school and I need to be smarter about how I spend my time, how I organize and plan our days and how quickly I can get lunch on the table.
So when I’m in a hurry and need something fast, I reach for Annie’s Homegrown . From Annie’s cheddar bunnies, snack mix, pretzels and granola bars, my pantry is always stocked with Annie’s Homegrown snacks because my kids love them. And recently, we tried the Shells and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese and my kids loved it. I did add in some fresh, seasonal summer veggies: zucchini and yellow summer squash, which I seem to be throwing into everything these days and my kids’ favorite: broccoli and hot dogs.
You can’t go wrong if you add hot dogs.
So, this summer, here’s to taking it easy. . keeping it tasty and having lots of fun with the family!
Annie's Homegrown: Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 box Annie's Homegrown Shells and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 hot dogs cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/3 cup zucchini chopped
- 1/3 cup yellow summer squash chopped
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Gruyere cheese
- salt
Instructions
- Using a medium to large sized pot, bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta shells according to box instructions. During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets and hot dogs. Drain the water, rinse and place everything back into the pot.
- Add the zucchini, summer squash, broccoli, milk and butter and mix together over medium-low heat. Sprinkle the Annie's cheese (in packet) and the freshly grated gruyere in and mix together until well combined. Season with salt and serve immediately.
For 25 years, Annie’s Homegrown has been nourishing families with simple, down-to-earth foods that taste great and are easy to love. Annie’s products seek out the best ingredients Mother Earth has to offer, harvesting pure, natural flavors to make delicious foods every family can feel good about.
Today I have teamed up with Annie’s to help spread the word and to give away some of their wonderful products. One reader will receive all of the products featured above (Annie’s mac&cheese, cheddar squares & fruit snacks) plus some fun Annie’s swag including a t-shirt, lip balm, and a chino bag! So, join Team Annie’s , enter the giveaway and get social with them: Annie’s Facebook Fan Page , Annie’s Twitter Page and Annie’s Instagram !
THE GIVEAWAY!
Disclosure: #spon: I’m required to disclose a relationship between my blog and Annie’s Homegrown. This could include Annie’s providing me w/ content, product, access or other forms of payment.
Jenne Kopalek says
June 17, 2014 at 8:16 amLooks like a simple dish and yet yummy!
Jen says
June 17, 2014 at 8:22 amI love the Deluxe Shells with Cheddar Cheese!
barbara n says
June 17, 2014 at 8:29 amMy kids love the Shells & White Cheddar
carly carter says
June 17, 2014 at 8:37 amEasiest, healthiest mac and cheese! Excellent.
libby says
June 17, 2014 at 8:55 amShells and white cheddar looks delicious
carrie boudreaux says
June 17, 2014 at 9:31 amAnnie’s Shells and White Cheddar
Sandy Headtke says
June 17, 2014 at 9:43 amThe traditional macaroni and cheese is our favorite, but would like to try the lasagna
Alana (hungry & fit) says
June 17, 2014 at 10:10 amAnnie’s White Cheddar. No contest. YUM.
Lauren says
June 17, 2014 at 10:26 amDefinitely the traditional white shells!
Wendy says
June 17, 2014 at 11:14 amWe love Annie’s chocolate bunny cookies!
Ashley N. says
June 17, 2014 at 12:10 pmOh I just love Annies! I love the cheddar bunnies and that led me to the macaroni varieties. I love the shells and cheddar boxes, but the white cheddar variety is PRETTY GREAT! I have been wanting to try the frozen options, maybe this weekend.
Mary says
June 17, 2014 at 12:17 pmI love Annie’s! The Mac n Cheese can be mixed with anything for a great meal!
Heather Hayes Panjon says
June 17, 2014 at 12:32 pmI Like the Annie’s Organic 5-Grain Elbows & White Cheddar
Alissa says
June 17, 2014 at 12:41 pmI love the white shells and cheddar!
Monet says
June 17, 2014 at 2:16 pmI love the whole wheat shells with cheddar. This looks so good! There is nothing like mac and cheese (even though I’m a grown-up now!)
alaine says
June 17, 2014 at 2:55 pmI love Bunny Grahams
Linda romer says
June 17, 2014 at 2:58 pmMy favorite product is Annies original family size pepperoni pizza.
cynthia says
June 17, 2014 at 3:01 pmWould love to try the pizza
Crystal Evans says
June 17, 2014 at 3:16 pmI recently bought a case of Annie’s Mac & Cheese knowing I had to make more kids lunches now that it’s summer!
Kelly D says
June 17, 2014 at 3:38 pmI like the Honey Bunny Grahams.
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
June 17, 2014 at 3:50 pmWhat a fun way to dress up mac and cheese! I would eat a bowl of that for any meal!
Lisa says
June 17, 2014 at 5:42 pmFruit snacks are my guilty pleasure so would love to have some of those!
Kirsten G says
June 17, 2014 at 7:08 pmOur favorite product is Annie’s graham crackers!! So much better for your than the most common brand. We love Annie’s!!
julie says
June 17, 2014 at 7:33 pmlove cheddar bunnies
Amy M. C. says
June 17, 2014 at 7:44 pmThe mac & cheese for my kids!
Zainab says
June 17, 2014 at 10:22 pmI’m in quick and easy mode too so this Mac and cheese makes me super happy! Can’t be spending too much time on dinner. And having veggies with dinner is a challenge sometimes for my big baby (hubs) so this is perfect bribe with the cheese lol!
laurasmess says
June 18, 2014 at 1:07 amNaw, those pasta shells are so cute! I think I would love them as a kid, too (according to my mum, pasta shells were one of my favourite foods when I was small… usually with bolognese sauce!). The cheesy sausage combination sounds like a perfect quick and easy meal Alice. I love this. Yay for organic quick meals that you can feel confident feeding your kids! xx
Isabella M. says
June 18, 2014 at 6:57 amI like their Shells and Cheddad Cheese.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
June 18, 2014 at 9:32 amQuick and easy is my new middle name. All I want is a bowl of this mac and cheese this morning now!
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
June 18, 2014 at 1:24 pmI’m all in for quick lunches and dinners! This mac n cheese looks AMAZING!!!! And it’s got hot dogs too! Now, who can say no to that? Certainly not me! 😀
Maria | Pink Patisserie says
June 18, 2014 at 1:34 pmWe love Annie’s at our house! My boys devour a box each! Yikes! This is the perfect way to enjoy mac! And I totally hear you on the summer time management front. We are notorious for frittering our days away. I think it has something to do with growing teenagers sleeping until 11, but it drives me nuts!
Madeline says
June 18, 2014 at 1:50 pmTheir shells and white cheddar are my all-time favorite!
Liz says
June 19, 2014 at 5:49 pmWhat a great, kid friendly meal! And I love that you added veggies!
Connie | URBAN BAKES says
June 19, 2014 at 6:28 pmYou make me soo hungry when I come to your blog. I love seeing real food (not just desserts) here. Mac n cheese has always been comfort food to me, along with hot dogs. Parents owned businesses so they needed something quick to whip up so I could totally see myself as a very happy kid in your home. Beautiful photos too!
Leah says
June 19, 2014 at 9:46 pmFavorite: The Cinnamon bunny cookies of course!
Sarah says
June 19, 2014 at 10:09 pmI have been loving Annie’s Dijon Mustard for years! Plus, I love the Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce.
Sarah
David says
June 20, 2014 at 6:58 pmWe eat her macaroni and frozen pizzas, but unfortunately the macaroni and cheese pizza hasn’t made it to my neck of the woods yet.
Nicole-Lynn says
June 21, 2014 at 10:27 amYummy that looks so good! I like their Cheddar Bunnies the most, but I’d like to try more of their products! Thanks for the opportunity!
seasidesmitten at aol.com
Stephanie Gossett says
June 21, 2014 at 1:54 pmI love the Annies all star spaghetti rings! They are so good…and good for you. My kids will eat any of their products!!!
teffgossett@gmail.com
Annette says
June 23, 2014 at 12:07 pmMy favorite product is Organic Family Size Spinach & Mushroom Pizza.