Mac & Cheese for a party

[nicolewi]

DD wants mac & cheese now for her party. My kids don't like the Costco kind b/c it's garlicky (WHY don't they just make a nice, PLAIN mac & cheese??? We would get it all the time!).

Noodles Mac would cost $50 to $100 based on one pan vs two and require a trip to pick it up.

I'm leaning towards just making several boxes of Annie's, topping with shredded cheese, and keeping warm!! Seriously...this might be way cheaper and saves us a trip. Was going to put it in a pan in the oven, but online it sounds like a crock pot works well. Anyone done this? Did it work out? Would need to be in the crock pot for about 1.5-2 hours before serving it. Would it be pure mush by then?

(The kids will not care about mac & cheese quality; not interested in making homemade mac & cheese or trying any new recipes for this party)

[abs]

Stouffers mac and cheese is really good. The family size feeds a lot of people.

[tacokick]

I think it would be mushy in the slow cooker. I remember my mom experimenting with it when my brother wanted it at his birthday party and it didn’t work well.

She made a tray and froze it ahead of time and just put it in the oven on the day of the party.

[kath16]

so... not Stouffers for some reason?

[breebug]

Stouffer's for sure. I took a tray to Thanksgiving dinner and everyone raved about it, LOL. Seriously though, it's good.

[momin2013]

I agree with making the type you know they will eat, so I’d stick with Annie’s.

Personally I’d just have everything ready to go and when it’s getting close to lunchtime turn on the pot of water to boil and then make it fresh. It should take, what, 10-15 mins start to finish including boiling the water? It would be different if you were doing homemade (that I’d make in advance, put in a foil tray, and just heat in the oven when needed).

[thebreakfastclub]

Just get that Stouffer's tray

[nicolewi]

I have never tried Stouffer's and didn’t really even realize Stouffer’s made one. Maybe I will try it. Is it very plain, normal, cheesy mac & cheese that kids would like? I don’t want any weird spices or vegetables, or anything in it.

[thebreakfastclub]

Possibly go to the store and buy a single serving frozen Stouffer's and taste test it at home? wooof

[nicolewi]

Dec 15, 2022 14:11:44 GMT -5 thebreakfastclub said:

Possibly go to the store and buy a single serving frozen Stouffer's and taste test it at home? wooof

Not worth it! NO time for that!

I'm going to the store tomorrow to buy everything I still need for the party and if I see it, maybe I will try it. Just wanted to know if it's totally plain, regular mac & cheese. 

[bronxgirl]

My daughter loves Panera mac and Cheese. (they sell it at Costco).

[konapoppy]

Dec 15, 2022 13:41:09 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

I have never tried Stouffer's and didn’t really even realize Stouffer’s made one. Maybe I will try it. Is it very plain, normal, cheesy mac & cheese that kids would like? I don’t want any weird spices or vegetables, or anything in it.

It is plain cheese Mac n cheese.

[jackie011]

It is very plain and basic and perfect for this purpose.

[nicolewi]

We have the Stouffer's in the freezer!

[jayhawkbecca]

We got the 2 pack of panera mac n cheese from the refrigerator section at Costco for a party for like $9, so much better than the rip off cost at noodles!

[waverly]

My neighbors just canceled (rescheduled) their party due to sickness. I'm not sure I can make the next date. If I ever do another big party, I might do September, so we don't get anyone sick before the holidays. I know lots of illness at the beginning of the school year too. I just thought of you because you had rescheduled yours. Hope the Mac n Cheese works for you.