Herby Macaroni & Cheese

1 Tbl. butter
3 Tbl. all purpose flour
2 cups milk
3/4 tsp. dry marjoram
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. paprika
1 Tbl. Dijon mustard
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 pkg (7 oz.) elbow macaroni
1 cup cottage cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook macaroni according to package and drain. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil over med. heat. Boil 2 minutes or until thickened. Add marjoram, thyme, nutmeg and paprika. Stir until blended. Remove from heat. Stir in mustard and 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Add macaroni and cottage cheese stirring until coated. Pour into an 8 x 8 baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray. Top with remaining Parmesan. Bake 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.

Changes - change the cheese to cheddar, Swiss, etc. Add a little cooked, crumbled bacon to inside as well as top. Add French fried onions to top. Or you might add 3/4 - 1 cup of cubed ham to the mac and cheese.

Chicken Mac & Cheese Casserole

1 box Macaroni & Cheese
1 can (10 3/4oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1 cup chopped chicken, cooked
1 green onion, chopped
1 cup crushed potato chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make macaroni and cheese according to package. Stir in soup, milk, chicken and onion. Pour into a 2 qt. casserole dish sprayed with non-stick spray. Top with crushed chips. Bake 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serves 6

Changes - Instead of chicken, use tuna. Change the soups to cream of mushroom, celery or broccoli. Dress it up by adding 1/4 cup of chopped black olives or water chestnuts for a crunch.