Easy "Out of This World" Veggie Mac and Cheese Recipe

Things have been so busy at the Knerl household, that meals are often the last thing on my mind. Between helping our oldest study for ACT's, getting the youngest to sleep at night, and managing our MAJOR house remodel, I'm often finding myself freaking out at 6:30pm with no idea what I will put on the table.

That's why I'm always so happy to discover food items that can sit in the pantry until they are called up for duty. I was able to sample a box of just this type of food that Walmart sent me to try, and I was happy to come up with a simple solution to dinner that my kids loved -- and that wasn't bad for them, either.

Whip up this delicious and fun space-inspired pasta dish with veggies inside!


My Out of this World Veggie Mac and Cheese Recipe uses the following ingredients from Walmart:

Whip up this delicious and fun space-inspired pasta dish with veggies inside! 

  • Pasta Italia Gourmet Space Adventures Pasta 
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter 
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
  • 2 cups milk 
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar/colby mix
  • pepper to taste
Start by cooking the pasta according to directions. I like to add a little garlic salt and olive oil to the water as it's boiling. When done, drain, and set aside.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Quickly add in the flour, and whisk vigorously until it forms a crumbly paste. Slowly add milk, and continue whisking. The milk should simmer, but not boil as it slowly thickens.  After five minutes, add in the cheese and continue to whisk until it forms a thick sauce. Pour over the cooked pasta, pepper to taste, and serve!


The pasta was just one fun item that I got to try from Walmart. I also had the chance to sample the following items:

Whip up this delicious and fun space-inspired pasta dish with veggies inside!




Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk - I actually use this all the time. It has been my go-to coconut milk product for years. I love it in smoothies!

Panera Bread Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing - Now my favorite oil-based dressing, it's sweet, and tangy and perfect for spinach salads! (See what Colleen at Classy Mommy did with it!)

Terry Ho's Yum Yum Sauce - This is a very unique sauce that some members of our family love. It's certainly a different flavor, but one that's strangely good!

Whip up this delicious and fun space-inspired pasta dish with veggies inside!

Kraft Classic Ranch Dressing Squeeze Pouch - I wasn't sure when I would use a product like this, and then I remember that someone always brings a side salad to family holiday dinners -- and there is never Ranch. This is the perfect way to take dressing on the road.

Whip up this delicious and fun space-inspired pasta dish with veggies inside!





SeaFare Pacific Seafood Bisque - I'm not going to lie. Seafood soup that's pantry stable always scares me. I have never had a good experience until this product. It can be warmed up in boiling water to avoid that "stinky fish in the breakroom microwave" smell. It's chunky, delicious, and something that I would definitely buy again, even if I'm the only one in my family that likes seafood chowders.

Whip up this delicious and fun space-inspired pasta dish with veggies inside!




JIF Peanut Butter Granola Bars - Nothing to see here, folks. Really. My kids scarfed these down before I had a chance to take photos. They're really good.

I'm excited to sample some other grocery items in the coming months from Walmart. Be sure to stop back to see what new things are hitting shelves, and if you see something you want to try that isn't available at your store, ask the manager! They love feedback, and your suggestions will help make it so your store can serve you better.


As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I've received compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Links to shopping sites may be referral links.

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