Fun with a box of mac and cheese

On my last trip to Big Lots, I picked up a couple boxes of Annie's organic macaroni and cheese for a buck apiece.

A box of mac and cheese has long been a staple of the cash-strapped, but that doesn't mean you have to eat it as is. Here are some mix-ins to "gourmet up" your blue box:

• Add a drained can of salmon or tuna and voila! Instant tuna noodle casserole comforty goodness.
• Mix in 1/2 cup of salsa and it's Mac y Queso Ole.
• Toss in some cooked peas or broccoli for a hit of green.
• Use plain yogurt instead of milk and mix in chives or scallions.
• If you just want the simplicity of mac and cheese but just want to tweak it a tiny bit, mix in 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg.