Poor girls casserole/mac and cheese

Me and one of my best friends were hungry one night. We lived together, neither one of us had a car, and we didnt have the money for pizza. To make matters worse, I admit, we were high. Lol. We had just bought a new movie, we had a new video game, and we wanted dinner. We wanted a real dinner, not noodles or a banquet meal. So I raided the kitchen, and took stock. Of course, we had nothing. We had a piece of two diff kinds of cheese each (no meat or bread), some canned veggies, a can of tuna(no mayo), some noodles,(no sauce), u know, the usual for broke people. I ended up making a tuna casserole that was so good we memorized how I did it and made it from then on out as a planned meal! The casserole has been made a million different ways, (from the original can of corn and can of tuna to frozen brocc and canned chkn), usually from what is in the freezer and pantry, and everyone almost always has these ingredients in their pantry, or bought for just a few dollars. Thats what made me name this the poor girls casserole! (Though plain, it makes an amazing mac and cheese as well)!This casserole is extra awesome because it makes a lot, its very filling and satisfying, and you can go to the grocery and buy the ingredients for under $5. Im going to give you the recipe for the body, there are only a few non negotiable ingredients, and give you suggestions for add ins, but thats completely up to whats in your pantry right now! I dont have any pics at the moment, Im adding in this recipe just because its one I love, Ill post pics the next time I make it!

Ok, to make this casserole, you need first a box of mac and cheese. Get the water boiling. While waiting, fill a bowl (if your measuring cup is microwave proof, you can do this all in the one cup) with two cups of milk. I suggest canned evaporated milk, I always try to keep some around, you can get it at places like Big Lots for about .50 a can, and chain stores for a little more, and when you mix it half/half with water you get about four cups of milk to cook with, which is much more economical than drinking milk, and you can even stretch it out a little more if you dont buy the reduced fat. But you can use powdered milk, or whatevers in your fridge. Pour the packet of cheese powder into the milk. Tear one package of cream cheese into chunks, put into the milk. If you have any other cheese in your fridge, tear it up and put it in the cup. Seriously. Any cheese. American. Swiss. Cheddar. Havarti. Bleu. Feta. Goat. Whatever you have that is cheese, including cream (its wonderful with cream cheese added!). Microwave for about 1:30, then stir it well. Keep an eye on it while its cooking, if it starts bubbling before the 1:30 is up, take it out and stir it then. Put back in for another :45, stir. Keep microwaving in spurts, stirring very well in between until all the cheese is melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir. When the noodles are done, drain and pour into a greased casserole dish. Check cheese sauce, make sure its not hot, then test it with your finger. If you can put it in there with no discomfort, add an egg. If not, keep stirring till its cool to the touch (or you will cook the egg when you drop it in). Stir the egg in, and pour over the noodles. There you go! Done! Mix in your add ins, and if you want, add a crunchy topping. (Bread crumbs, chips, saltines, ritz crackers, whatever you have. Potato chips and Doritos are delish on top too!) Bake at 350 for about an hour, or until it sets up and is no longer liquid, and golden and bubbly on top. 

Add In Suggestions: Canned corn (or any canned veggie, mixed, canned potatoes, whatever you have on hand), canned meat (tuna, chicken, ham, skys the limit!), frozen veggies, hamburger, leftover fried chicken, chicken nuggets (cut into pieces), deli meat, cut up hot dogs, eggs (boiled, scrambled, whatever) whatever else you have that would be delish with cheese added!

P.S Its a great one to bust out when you dont have a lot of money but want to impress a guy with your cooking skills! This sets up so nicely it seems professional, and when you talk about making the cheese sauce, you dont have to mention you microwaved it! Serve it with canned croissants and dessert and you your man will worship you. Lol.