Well, I’ve had another one of those “my-child-is-growing-up-how-am-I-ever-going-to-be-able-to-handle-this” moments. Y’all bear with me while I whine a little. Last night, my child started calling me “Dad.” Now, I’ve had another one of these moments, but this one seems a little different. I figured I’d be “Daddy” at least until he was 10 or so. But when I questioned my new title, he simply replied, “Dad, I’m too old to call you ‘Daddy’.” Now we’ve certainly been going through one of those “babies do that, I’m a big boy not a baby” phases, but I never imagined it would result in this. My heart hurts thinking we’ve already outgrown that “Daddy” phase. Don’t get me wrong, I just adore watching his little personality grow and develop, I’m just wondering why it has to happen so fast. Surely I’m not the only parent like this. I think I need meds. 
Speaking of my little guy, his favorite food in the whole world is mac and cheese. Here’s a jazzed up recipe that’s perfect as a main course. Your family will love this super easy, super tasty casserole. You might even win over those picky eaters with this one. With cheese, bacon, and ranch… how can you go wrong?!?!?
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow or corkscrew macaroni, cooked per package instructions
- 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
- 12 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 – 10.75 oz can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cup prepared ranch dressing, divided
Instructions
- Combine cooked macaroni, chicken, crumbled bacon, cheese soup, cheese, garlic, salt and 1 cup ranch dressing in a very large bowl; mix well.
- Turn out into a greased 9X13 casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through. Top with remaining 1/4 cup ranch dressing and serve immediately.
http://southernbite.com/2012/10/10/chicken-bacon-ranch-mac-and-cheese/
Can a person have too many Mac & Cheese recipes? AbsoLUTEly NOT! LOL Thanks for another great post and recipe, Stacey!! Maybe your wife needs to consider doing what my Aunt Mac (Yup! we called her Aunt Mac as her maiden name was McCracken) used to to and referred to her hubby (our Uncle Chuck as ‘Daddy’! ;^D OK…I realize that’s not the same as your son calling you Daddy, but it’s a close second!
LOL! You are too funny!!
Tried the recipe for dinner last night and my daughter said she now has a new favorite casserole … even the 3 year old granddaughter loved it. This will definitely stay in my recipe file.
Wonderful, Rita! I’m so glad y’all enjoyed it!!
Hey Stacey,
Maybe he will bring the Daddy back. I hope so. Mom really hurt me too. I’ll always be mama no matter what my girls call me.
This looks wonderful! It is on the grocery list for this week’s menu.
I wanted to add, I’m 35 and my brother is 28 and we still call him Daddy.
I hope you enjoy this, Kim! It’s certainly a hard pill to swallow. But I suppose the realization that your baby is growing is a hard pill to swallow for most parents. : )
have you ever tried cooking this in a slow cooker? I want to try this so bad but my oven is on the fritz. I am only cooking with a slow cooker for the next few weeks…lol
I haven’t tried it, but that’s not to say it can’t be done. If you try it, let me know.
I have my own version of mac and cheese that is similar. I lay a good quality hot dog, italian sausage or brat on top and let it roast while the mac and cheese bakes. I will have to try the ranch dressing, we usually use mustard.
Sadly here in New Zealand we don’t have condensed cheddar cheese soup. Sounds amazing stuff! Have to make my mac-cheese using a cheese sauce. WARNING: I ended up having second degree burns on my foot from mac-cheese after I slopped the cheese topping on my foot getting it out of the oven.
A week off work and much pain.