-Stir in 1 C. of chopped ham

-Add 1/2 C. frozen peas or chopped broccoli (and 1/2 C. chopped ham, too, if it’s in the fridge)

-Drain a small can of sliced mushrooms and fold them into the macaroni & cheese

-Add 1 C. chopped fresh, ripe tomatoes and 1 T. minced basil

-Stir in 1/2 C. of drained flaked tuna plus 1 tsp. of drained capers

-Fold in 1/2 C. of smoked salmon strips

-Add 1/2 C. cooked cauliflower florets and a dash of ground nutmeg

-Top each serving with a spoonful of fresh spinach that has been briefly sautéed.

-Add 1 C. of browned ground beef that you have lightly seasoned with salt and black pepper

-Sauté 2 sliced garlic cloves briefly in melted butter and fold these into the macaroni & cheese

-Stir in 1 C. of drained canned white beans, then season the macaroni & cheese with a little dried thyme

-Spoon the macaroni and cheese into a serving bowl and top it with strips of grilled sausage.

-Toss a C. of toasted bread crumbs in olive oil, run these under the broiler, then sprinkle them on top of the macaroni & cheese.

-Stir in 1/2 C. of sautéed shrimp and a dash of Cajun seasoning.

-Sauté some thin slices of red bell pepper briefly in olive oil, then stir them into the macaroni & cheese