Boxed Macaroni and Cheese or this recipe for Fettuccine Alfredo? They take about the same time to prepare. You decide 🙂

One has these ingredients…

ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE [IRON], THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), CHEESE SAUCE (WHEY, PART-SKIM MILK, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, DRIED CORN SYRUP, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SALT, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF MILK, CANOLA OIL, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM ALGINATE, SORBIC ACID AS A PRESERVATIVE, LACTIC ACID, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, CHEESE CULTURE, MILKFAT, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA [COLOR], NATURAL FLAVOR, ANATTO EXTRACT [COLOR], ENZYMES, VITAMIN A PALMITATE).

The other has these ingredients…

Five Ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo

• ½ cup butter, at room temperature
• 4 oz. grated Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (about 1¼ cups)
• 2 Tablespoons cream cheese, at room temperature—optional, but it makes the sauce silkier
• ¾-1 lb. fettuccine noodles
• 1 tablespoon salt

1. Bring 1 large pan of water to a boil, then stir in salt and fettuccine noodles. Cook according to package directions (probably for about 12 minutes), the drain—RESERVING about ½ cup pasta water, just in case you need it to thin the sauce.
2. While the noodles are boiling, with an electric mixer (or a strong arm), beat the softened butter, cream cheese and the grated cheese together until creamy.
3. When the noodles are cooked, drain, and then return the drained fettuccine to the hot pan.
4. Stir in the butter-cheese mixture, then toss and stir until noodles are coated with a creamy sauce. IF NECESSARY, stir in the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, to thin the sauce.
5. Serve immediately. Makes four hearty servings. Leftovers can be refrigerated and then reheated in the microwave.

Chicken or Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

1. Stir in 2 cups cooked cubed chicken or cooked shrimp to the hot drained noodles. Add cheese mixture and stir to combine.

Veggie Fettuccine Alfredo

1. You could also add cooked asparagus or broccoli, or frozen peas to your Fettuccine Alfredo.

Enjoy!