Summertime is here, even if the calendar doesn’t say so. The little one is out of preschool, the hubby is doing outdoor projects, and I luckily have family over to help out with the babies. On the flip side, it’s more than just me around the house during lunchtime now, so my mind has been reeling with different lunch ideas. As a mom, I need to find lunch ideas and side dishes that adults and my preschooler will both enjoy. That can be a challenge sometimes. Luckily, Velveeta Shells and Cheese are an easy side dish to customize. Today, I’m making this all-time classic two ways: Loaded and Plain.
{Plain} Version for the Kids
There are approximately two cups of uncooked shells in a 12 oz. box of Velveeta Shells and Cheese.
We are going to split the box. To make the Plain Version with half the box, follow the box directions but half the ingredients. In other words, only boil 3 cups of water and add 1 cup of the shells. After following the cook times and directions on the box, stir in half the packet of cheese sauce. Be sure to save the other half of the shells and cheese sauce for the version for the adults. Voila! The Plain Kids’ Version of Velveeta Shells and Cheese.
{Loaded} Version for the Adults
Grab the uncooked shells and half of the cheese packet left over from the Plain Version above. We’ll need those and a few other simple ingredients for this recipe.
- 1 cup uncooked Velveeta Shells from a 12 oz. Velveeta Shells and Cheese box
- Half of the cheese packet from a 12 oz. Velveeta Shells and Cheese box
- 3 cups water
- 1 can diced tomatoes, drained
- 4 slices of cooked bacon, diced into small pieces (traditional or pre-cooked bacon works great)
- Boil 3 cups of water.
- Add shells and drained tomatoes.
- Boil for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Drain pasta and tomatoes.
- Return to heat. Add cheese and bacon. Stir until cheese is melted.
Yum! The bacon adds the perfect flavor for this side dish. Enjoy it with a meat, salad, or a sandwich.
Preparing Velveeta Shells and Cheese is quick and easy, so it makes for the perfect summer side dish. You can find Velveeta Shells and Cheese at your local Walmart. That’s where I purchased mine- you can check out my shopping trip to see what else I purchased. For a fun site, head over to the Velveeta Facebook page where you can even take a quiz to see to someone in your life is a liquid gold digger.
How do you like your Shells and Cheese?
My daughter would LOVE the loaded. Great idea!
My whole family would love your loaded version!
How clever are you! Love that you divided the box to make the 2 different kinds so the kids can have the plain and the adults can have something with a little more punch to it! I love the divided bowl too!
Is it weird if Shells & Cheese is one of my favorite foods?!? They even have a little microwave version and I keep those at my desk at work for a snack!! Love your ideas to spice it up a little, I will have to give that a try!
Melanie, the loaded mac and cheese looks absolutely scrumptious! What a clever idea to jazz up plain old velveeta mac and cheese!
I have loved Velveeta from waaaaaaaaay back! And the Shells & Cheese! Mrrf! Awesome! Now you go and amp it up? Oh yeah! Can’t wait to try 🙂
Loaded looks delicious!! I cant use the box stuff but I’m gonna try this with some make from scratch ingredients for sure!
Looks yummy! My kids can be picky but plain can be a bit boring – i love how you split it up to make everyone happy1
Thanks so much!
Love the idea of the kids and adult versions!
To be honest, I hate mac n’ cheese, but that loaded version looks mouth-wateringly good. Holy cow! Thanks for sharing!
Looks yummy! Will def be trying it.
I love shells and cheese!
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
We love Mac&Cheese! I love the loaded version, we will be trying this for sure! Thanks for sharing.:)
The loaded version looks so yummy!
YUM! We’ve added diced tomatoes before, but never bacon… brilliant! I can’t wait to try!
I never thought of making it loaded! Yumm. I’m totally trying this– thanks!
Those look so yummy (with and without the tomatoes!). What a great sidedish!
i love Shells and Cheese! Soooo delicious. I never thought to add things to it… but it was usually just me and my son eating it… so plain it is!
This is perfect for my family! Some would love the basic and others would love the loaded version!
Thanks Tonia!