Classic Macaroni and Cheese (FDD) - $2.19 a serving
Every non-staple ingredient matched to a real product on the shelf, priced on 2026-07-19 at Kroger - Kroger On the Rhine (ZIP 45202). 1 pantry staples excluded. 1 match is flagged for you to check rather than silently swapped. Prices change without notice - this is what we paid attention to on that date, not a quote.
| The recipe says | We found | Package | Uses | Costs | Left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 cup evaporated milkCHECK THIS | Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk Vitamin D Added Shelf Milk Evaporated Milk Canned · 12 fl oz | $2.19 | 120 ml | $0.74 | $1.45 |
| 2 cups uncooked macaroni (such as elbows, spirals, or shells) | Kroger 32 Oz Elbow Macaroni · 32 oz | $1.99 | 280 g | $0.61 | $1.38 |
| 1/2 cup onion (chopped) | Jumbo Yellow Onions · 1 lb | $1.19 | 80 g | $0.21 | $0.98 |
| 1 egg (medium, beaten) | Kroger® Grade A Large White Eggs · 18 ct | $2.79 | 1 | $0.16 | $2.63 |
| 1 1/4 cups low-fat cheddar cheese (shredded, 4 ounces) | Kroger® Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Shredded Cheese · 8 oz | $2.00 | 113 g | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| nonstick cooking spray | Kroger® Nonstick Canola Oil Cooking Spray · 8 oz | $2.99 | - | $2.99 | - |
nonstick cooking spray drives this basket at $2.99, 23% of the total. The next biggest lines are egg ($2.79) and evaporated milk ($2.19). $7.44 of the basket - 57% - is package remainder: food you buy because stores sell packages and recipes call for amounts. It does not vanish, it sits in your kitchen for the next meal.
- Kroger® Grade A Large White Eggs · about 17 left, $2.63 of value
- Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk Vitamin D Added Shelf Milk Evaporated Milk Canned · about 235 ml left, $1.45 of value
- Kroger 32 Oz Elbow Macaroni · about 627 g left, $1.38 of value
- Kroger® Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Shredded Cheese · about 114 g left, $1.00 of value
- Jumbo Yellow Onions · about 374 g left, $0.98 of value
Evaporated milk is used on this family favorite. Tip! Evaporated milk can be used as a lower fat alternative for heavy cream in sauces, soups, and gravies.
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni (such as elbows, spirals, or shells)
- 1/2 cup onion (chopped)
- 1 egg (medium, beaten)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/4 cups low-fat cheddar cheese (shredded, 4 ounces)
- nonstick cooking spray
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8x8-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook macaroni according to directions. (Do not add salt to the cooking water.) Drain and set aside.
- Lightly spray saucepan with nonstick cooking spray. Add onions to saucepan and cook for about 3 minutes.
- In another bowl, combine macaroni, onions, egg, cheese, milk, and pepper and mix thoroughly.
- Pour mixture into casserole dish.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
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