When you think that mac ‘n cheese just can’t get any better… and then you fry it. With bacon. And blue cheese. And BUFFALO. To beat it all, we are going to use the most time convenient, simple recipe for mac and cheese– the kind you don’t even have to make yourself!
Check out how we transform an already tasty boxed white cheddar mac and cheese into a deliciously crispy, Bacon Buffalo Blue Mac ‘n Cheese Rolls in just minutes.
[Read through to the end to enter to win
a box full of Annie’s Homegrown goodies!]
Partnering with Annie’s Homegrown gave me the opportunity to really have some fun in the kitchen. I don’t normally take what most would consider to be already completed meals from a grocery into something totally different. I have to say that after playing around, you will find me incorporating this idea into a lot more meals around my place in the future. Adding your own mix-ins really does turn a simple box of pasta into a great full meal.
I have to admit that being a corn-fed Southern boy, I am always somewhat leery of what most would consider to be health foods. <insert creepy Halloween music> At the same time, as one of those crazy biology people, I am extremely supportive of initiatives that promote sustainability and responsibility in producing a healthier, environmentally friendly product. This attracted me to the Annie’s brand, since they fall into all of those categories with great success, utilizing natural and non-synthetic ingredients that allow us to keep producing food for our planet in the safest ways possible. Seriously, y’all. This ideology is IMPORTANT.
Visit Annie’s Homegrown to read more about this delicious company.
Be sure to come join Team Annie’s to share your own mix-in ideas!
Tag your posts with #teamannies!
The final straw in the showdown is always the taste of the product though, right? All of those aspects are excellent to include, but if the taste isn’t there, it just doesn’t work out. Luckily, the taste of every Annie’s product that I have had (which is the majority of them now) has been fantastic. I would hate to admit how addictive I am to their little delicious gummy berry bunnies…
Back to the mac– I altered the box directions slightly, since I planned on tossing these into wraps and frying them. I wanted a bit thicker product to put inside to keep it all together. Eliminating some of the milk and adding a touch of starch worked perfectly. The optional butter (but not so optional — because, well, butter!) makes for the perfect companion to create our buffalo sauce. Buffalo is just hot sauce and butter, after all. Did I mention bacon? That’s right. Everyone’s favorite food group! I mixed in a bit (read: a ton) and let it all cool.
It just wouldn’t be true buffalo mac ‘n cheese without something to counteract off of the spicy hot sauce. Blue cheese is the most common sidekick for good reason. The slight tanginess combined with the crumbled creaminess is a win, win situation. I felt like the mix needed a tiiiiny bit of green to it. Since we started with something wholesome and healthy, I thought I’d give it a go and toss a bit of the fresh parsley that I managed to keep alive in my patio garden. Turns out, it actually tastes pretty good!
Wrap a blob of the mix up in an egg roll wrapper and practice your rolling and folding skills. I tried these with wonton wrappers in hopes that a mini roll would be cute. Everyone knows that things are cuter when they are smaller, right? True, but my lack of patience isn’t so cute and I ended up giving into the larger wrappers out of simplicity. Turns out I’m not the most skilled (w)rapper.
Once these puppies are signed, (egg) sealed and delivered to the fryer, you’ll be pulling out the pickles and planning your next fry party. (Don’t y’all have fry parties?)
The Annie’s White Cheddar Mac ‘n Cheese goes better with the buffalo mix-ins than I ever thought it would. Turns out that white cheddar and spicy is pretty much the best party combo secret out there. The small shells of the pasta holds the sauce, cheese and bacon inside the perfectly packaged crispy envelopes like you wouldn’t believe.
Topped with a bit of blue cheese dressing and a second (because two sauces is always better than one!) simple buffalo sour cream mix and we have a winner!
Speaking of winner… I had so much fun with the last giveaway, that I’ve decided to throw out another one! Who says you can’t host two giveaways in a row? Pfft. I do what I want!
[ Use the giveaway app below the recipe to
enter to win some Annie’s swag! ]
DISCLOSURE: This recipe was developed with product(s) given to me to review by Annie’s Homegrown. The relationship between Annie’s and Southern FATTY may be supported through compensation in the form of monetary means and/or product(s). All opinions written are that of my own, unbiased review and are not influenced by any given compensation.
#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.
- 1 box Annie's Homegrown Shells & White Cheddar Mac 'n Cheese
- 3 tablespoons Frank's Red Hot sauce
- 2 tablespoon butter, unsalted
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¼ cup bacon, crumbled
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 package egg roll wrappers
- 1 egg, scrambled
- oil, to fry
- blue cheese dressing
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Frank's Red Hot
- 1 lime
- Make boxed Annie's Shells & White Cheddar per instructions (boil water, cook pasta, drain).
- Instead of box instructions for adding milk and butter, add the milk, butter, Frank's and bacon listed in this recipe.
- Add cornstarch and mix well.
- Allow mixture to cool completely. I placed in refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes.
- Heat oil to 350 F.
- When pasta mix has cooled, mix in blue cheese crumbles and parsley.
- Add a heaping tablespoon of mixture in center of egg roll wrapper and fold. (See egg roll wrap instructions)
- Seal the last fold with egg wash and close roll well.
- Fry until golden. Remove to drain and cool to handle.
- Mix Frank's with sour cream and a simple squeeze of the lime well.
- Top fried rolls with blue cheese dressing and buffalo sauce.
- Enjoy!
- Visit SouthernFATTY.com for more recipes and to let us know how it went!
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY, USE THE APP BELOW.
BE SURE TO CLICK “+3” AFTER YOUR COMMENT TO ENTER.
Lily Wolfe
Ive never tried annies but it looks soo good!
Darby
I have tried it and find it better than most mixes!
Natasha Manchester
Ive tried their gluten free mac n cheese! Its the only one that I can eat haha 🙂 Its delicious!
Lyz S
I’ve never had Annie’s Mac N Cheese…my husband actually doesn’t like macaroni and cheese! I’d love to try some for myself though.
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
I didn’t realize that it was even possible to not like mac ‘n cheese! Hah
Ruth Griffeth
I have tried Annie’s Mac N Cheese, for a mix in I love Ham.
Sandra Watts
I am not sure if we have tried it or not but I am sure open to it!
Christy Sweeney
I HAVE NOT TRIED ANNIE’S BUT WOULD LOVE TO BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE A FAVORITE!
cezovski
I have tried it once and it was very good. I like adding green chilis.
Rafflecopter: Carolsue
Kim Reid
I have tried the mac and cheese, my favorite add in is bacon!
Rene Chartier
The children love the Mac and Cheese of course but I like all of Annie’s products.Rene Chartier
Mare Wagenbach
Oh my little man loves their mac n’ cheese! (Just like his mother!)
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
‘Atta boy!
christine
I love their Mac n cheese and crackers!
Mic
I love all of Annie’s products!
Seyma Shabbir
Yes we love them! Our favorite mix in has to be chicken hot dog cuts.
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
Hot dogs seem to be a crowd favorite… I’ll have to give it a go sometime!
Jessica Allen- Worley
We have tried Annie’s and love it. We love to add ham to mac n cheese.
Cori Westphal
I haven’t tried Annie’s, but I’ve been pretty disappointed with other boxed mac n cheese, so I should give it a try! I like adding mustard to my mac n cheese. It’s adds some zest and makes it taste more like nacho cheese!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Zenetta Smith
I never tried Annie’s before but I would like to try it.
linda walker
We love Annie’s products.
Debbie Bray
I have not tried Anni’s but am planning on it soon.
Kayleigh p
We love Annie’s at my house! It’s the best! The whole family loves it and it’s a guaranteed hit! I like to add veggies like broccoli to it!
Connie
I have not tried Annie’s but we love mac & cheese so it’s definitely going on my list to try. We don’t mix in anything but we’re big bacon lovers and right now we have tons here at our house so that sounds like a good idea to mix it in and make some tonight 🙂
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
I’ll take some of that bacon off your hands! 😉
Carolyn Massey
I have tried Annies and loved the white cheddar shells. I mix hot dogs in with mine for a quick meal and add a salad.
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
Everyone seems to love adding hot dogs. I’m going to have to try that out soon..
Carolyn Massey
Yes it’s very good and also ham.
Vunda V
i love annies white cheddar shells!! SO GOOD! i like to mix in bacon and chives
June Lisle
I have never tried anything from Annies before but I am definitely open to it.
nicole henke
we love annies- the white cheddar sauce is SO yummy!
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
Agreed! Try it out with this buffalo version sometime 🙂
Mark W
not yet
alliciac
I haven’t had Annies before but would love to try it. I like to add bbq sauce or buffalo sauce to my mac and cheese.
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
The buffalo in this recipe was a big hit around here, too!
sarah k.
I like Annie’s shell & white cheddar and I sometimes top mac & cheese with bbq sauce, I also like the cheddar and white cheddar bunnies.
Brynn
We love love love Annies in our house! My daughter goes crazy for the white cheddar shells and I will usually mix in some broccoli for veggies. She is a weirdo and likes broccoli too but hey at least she is getting veggies 🙂
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
Good for her! I still struggle with greens… hah
Vera K
We love Annie’s – always have it on hand.
Kathryn Mackey
Nice love to win
Peggy D
my son loves the Annie’s line…his favorite right now is the Double Chocolate Chip Granola Bar. Our favorite mac ‘n cheese mix it would be veggies!!!
Gina Guarente Cooper
my daughter loves Annie’s products
JayLA
Annie’s products are the best!
Carol N
I have tried the Organic Shells and White Cheddar and it was tasty!
Lisa Kubin
I have tried the mac and cheese and we like it but I don’t add anything into it.
Eg Kaufman
We have tried it…my kids like to mix in hotdogs.
Wilma Prochaska
We like Annie’s Mac & Cheese just the way it is.
allie
We love Annies products
jeremy mclaughlin
my family loves the Annies mac n cheese.
Rachel O.
With a 1 year old in the house we go through quite a bit of the original annie’s mac n cheese. Thanks for doing this giveaway!
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
Good luck!
Patricia Colletti
I am a big fan of Annies! It’s always on sale at target. My son loves the bunny grahams, mac and cheese, bunny fruit snacks, etc. His favorite is the mac and cheese with farm shapes.
Jessica w
I love their white cheese the best
Stephanie Shipley
My son and I have tried Annie’s cheddar bunnies and love them! We haven’t tried the other products yet, but can’t wait to. My favorite mix in is peas and carrots!
Marci Richie Wright
I’ve tried the shells & white cheddar & spiral macaroni & cheese – they are really good!
Cassie Korando
I haven’t tried Annie’s, but I’m thinking I should! I love bacon in mac ‘n cheese.
Lisa Williams
Yes I have tried Annie’s Mac N Cheese ,I love it!sometimes I add extra cheese and/or a dash of medium salsa.
Noreen Tibor
I.have not tried any of your products as they’re.not available in my neck of the woods. But I would love to try them
Kelly O'Malley
Yes, I have tried, and LOVE, Annie’s. Mac ‘N Cheese is super yummy.
Sara Theissen
I honestly am not sure if I’ve tried it lol. I like mixing either hot dogs, tuna, or mustard and A1 sauce in my mac n cheese!
Ashley Irby
We love Annie’s! They’re just a little high. My son loves the mac&cheese!
Holly Thomas
I haven’t tried any of the products yet.
Alana Vester
I have not tried Annie’s products.
Erin B.
Love Annie’s! My daughter’s favorite is the cheddar bunnies. We love the macaroni and cheese as well!
Hollie
Yes, I simply adore Annie’s just sometimes out of my budget. My favorite thing that Annie’s offers is their tomatoe bisque soup .. IT ROCKS!
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
I’ve had great luck finding it on sale for $1 a box at Target lately. Haven’t tried the soup yet, but I will!
Maren McConnell
Had a M’n’C a long time ago– liked it. And they have cute packaging. But since I now avoid dairy, we make a fake version with nutritional yeast.
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
Great alteration!
sandra
I like their original mac & cheese
Cynthia Painter
We love Annie’s Mac n Cheese! I like to add tuna.
sandym204
I have never tried Annie’s, but I plan to now.
Julie Lee
I love Annie’s. My boys love it too. We’ve tried several varieties of it and have loved them all!
Sarah Ochocki
My mom always used to buy Annie’s when I was younger, and now I do too! I like to put Greek yogurt and spinach in my mac and cheese.
latanya t
I like their mac and cheese and so does my son.
AnnaZed
We buy Annie’s all of the time (instead of a certain blue box), I don’t usually put anything in it.
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{in the contest I am Margot Core on the Rafflecopter}
Trisha Kilpatrick
I have not tried Annie’s mac and cheese. We love Annie’s Crackers and cookies.
Aqdas Ahmed
I haven’t tried Annie’s yet, but I’d love to
whispersincursive
I love Annie’s, I like to add in green chiles since I’m in Arizona and we’ve got a lot! 🙂
Lauren
I always stock up on Annie’s mac & cheese. It’s a quick, delicious option for lunch or dinner.
Meegan
I haven’t tried Annie’s but I would like to!
Serena Powell
I’ve tried one of the macaroni and cheese and really enjoyed it. My favorite mix-in is broccoli.
Michelle Igou Klingen
I haven’t tried annies, I like to add bacon to my mac and cheese
Sandra Stephenson
I haven’t tried Annies. I like mixed veggies mixed with mac n’ cheese
lisekay22
I have tried Annie’s and love them – great products! this recipe sounds great too!
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
Thanks– Let me know how it goes if you try it out!
Christy Spurlock
I have not tried Annie’s but it is definitely on my list…..especially that I printed coupons!!!
maria gagliano
We have yet to try Annie’s but would love to
Anna Robertson
I make Annie’s shells and cheese for my kids and add greek yogurt instead of milk to make it thicker and then add a vegetable such as butterbeans, english peas, or butternut squash. They will lap it up in a way they would never eat these sorts of vegetables prepared another way. Love that there is a wholesome option for th elittle ones.
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
I’m on a butternut kick right now. Great ideas!
nicole dziedzic
We love Annie’s products! The mac n cheese, the gummies, the candy, the cheddar bunnies, I even recently tried the pizza rolls. Awesome stuff!
1froglegs
We have tried many of the Annie’s products, including the ones you mention, as well as many of the varieties of frozen pizzas and the salad dressings.
Tonia L.
I have tried some of Annie’s other products, but I have not tried any of their pasta products YET.
Brandy Y.
I have never tried Annie’s, but would love to! It is a childhood comfort food, but every once in a while I will mix in hotdogs with my mac and cheese! Like my mom used to do. 🙂
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
Sweet memories! Heh
Dawn Monroe
I have never tried Annies but we like to add polish sausage or ground beef with our mac and cheese.
Lacey Burd
My family loves Annie’s products…especially the Mac & Cheese and the cheddar bunnies! As for my mac & cheese…I like it best with no mix ins!
amy becker
looks yummy
Charlotte S
um. those gummy snacks? So. Good.
Phillip @ SouthernFATTY.com
Right??? I’m hooked!
Natalie
I have tried annie’s cheddar bunnies crackers but I would love to try the mac and cheese!
Chelsea W
I do like Annie’s…quite a bit! They have some great Gluten Free products as well.
Abigail Pasca
I’ve tried Annie’s before and it’s DELISH! I don’t really add mix-ins in my Mac.. I like it simple!
B. Britnell
Yum!! I’ve used this mac and cheese a few times and I love it! I have a mac n’ cheese recipe coming soon too 😉
manda
Yes… I love to add broccoli
Anna H.
I haven’t tried Annie’s before!
bellagirl07
I have not tried their products yet but they sound yummy.
heather [email protected]
T2Nashville
I’ve seen Annie’s in the store, but haven’t tried yet. I would love the opportunity! Thanks for the giveaway!