Costco's Kirkland Mac and Cheese Saves Special Dinners with Ease

However, when preparing meals to feed friends and family, I often struggle to find time to make the main dish from scratch-let alone all the accoutrements that round out the spread. I'm always in a rush to get everything done but don't want to bring down the overall quality of the special dinner by cutting corners. Through trial and error, I've learned which premade items actually taste about as good as Grandma's recipes without requiring the effort of doing it all myself. One store-bought side that never fails to impress is the Kirkland Signature Mac and Cheese from Costco.

Don't Compromise On Quality

While my grandmama's version will always have my heart, when I'm pressed for time, this Costco stand-in definitely does justice to the classic. It starts with a cheese trifecta. Cheddar, Romano, and Parmesan combine with rich cream to make a worthy sauce for a generous pan of cavatappi pasta-which is literally a fun twist on the usual macaroni shape. A hint of garlic and a sprinkle of spices add some extra depth to the flavor. Best of all, a pan that feeds 12 can be had for less than $16, making this convenient choice economical too.

Add Your Own Touch

This dish tastes delicious just as it is, but if you want to gussy it up a little, you can sprinkle 1 cup of sharp Cheddar on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a more even coating of cheese. A garnish of finely chopped fresh parsley will make it even prettier.