Best Meaty Mac N Cheese Recipes

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MEATY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Meaty Macaroni and Cheese image

Quickie meal that is loved by kids (and Dad's) alike. This isn't gourmet or fancy- just good ol' fix it fast and fill their bellies food! Kind of a copycat Hamburger Helper- but so much better! This is a 'base' recipe for the start of a healthier and fast meal that is kid and family friendly, budget friendly and uses things that are probably in your kitchen already. Perfect for those times you find your house FULL of hungry teens! Will feed four very easily- or one or two hungry teenagers! lol Posting bc yesterday my dd said "Mama, can we have Macaroni and hamburger meat tonite?" and Mama said "No baby, I have to fix a recipe I tagged on Zaar." to which she replied "Mama, you need to post that recipe on Zaar and tell everyone that kids like it- and Dad said "AND DADS TOO!" so this is for my family! Hope your family enjoys it too! and that is saves you some stress on a busy night! PLUS, this is a great carrier for those dreaded veggies when you find your kids (dads too) seem to turn their noses up to otherwise. HIDE those veggies in the cheese! lol Think peas, carrots, zucchini, etc NOTE: Instead of the box mix you can use my homemade recipe for mac and cheese recipe #135662

Provided by Mamas Kitchen Hope

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (7 ounce) box macaroni and cheese mix, use your favorite even homemade if you prefer
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter (best with real butter, do not use a spread or tub product) or 1/4 cup margarine (best with real butter, do not use a spread or tub product)
1/2 lb ground chicken (see note) or 1/2 lb ground turkey (see note)
1/2 cup onions, chopped or 2 teaspoons onion powder, adjust to taste
2 celery ribs, chopped
1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped (optional)
1 garlic cloves, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Prepare mac and cheese according to box directions, using salted water.
  • Meanwhile, brown meat and drain grease.Rinse meat if desired to remove even more grease.
  • Season meat with onion and garlic- fresh and sauteed can be used instead- and add any additional seasonings that your family likes. SEE NOTE - skip if using left over meat- but do reheat the leftovers.
  • Add meat to prepared mac and cheese and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
  • At this point you can add EXTRAS such as additional grated cheese, great opportunity to sneak in veggies - peas, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, etc., Use what you like or try this to entice kids to eat things they normally wouldn't.
  • I have even added some spinach to the meat mixing it in well so it is not as noticeable! Sometimes you have to be sneaky! hehehe.
  • NOTE: This is even faster when you use left over taco meat, sloppy joes, crumbled meatloaf, etc -- Add what your family likes.
  • No this isn't the healthiest meal- but it IS so much healthier for them than a greasy burger grabbed on the run, and you can make it as healthy as you choose- I have even used leftover homemade mac and cheese- No preservatives at all that way!
  • You can 'fancy' it up by topping it with extra cheese or breadcrumbs and popping it under the broiler for a minute just to brown.
  • A real time saving tip that the kids love is to put the entire mixture in a lightly sprayed casserole pan and top with biscuit dough- you can even use the ones in the can, bake per can instructions until the biscuits are done.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 428.3, Fat 22.3, SaturatedFat 11.6, Cholesterol 74.7, Sodium 540.7, Carbohydrate 37.8, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 6, Protein 19

MEATY MAC 'N' CHEESE



Meaty Mac 'n' Cheese image

My husband is disabled and requires constant care. This doesn't leave me a lot of time to cook, so I came up with this tasty way to beef up a box of macaroni and cheese. The hearty mixture gets extra flavor from corn, ripe olives and zippy salsa. -Charlotte Kremer, Pahrump, Nevada

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 20m

Yield 4-6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (7-1/4 ounces) macaroni and cheese
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1-1/2 cups salsa
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
3 tablespoons diced pimientos
Shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped tomato

Steps:

  • Set aside cheese sauce mix from macaroni and cheese; cook macaroni according to package directions. , Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the salsa, corn, olives and pimientos; cook until heated through. , Drain macaroni; add to beef mixture with contents of cheese sauce mix. Cook and stir until blended and heated through. Sprinkle with cheese and tomato.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 291 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 42mg cholesterol, Sodium 716mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

MAC AND CHEESE



Mac and Cheese image

Raise the volume with Ina Garten's creamy Mac and Cheese recipe, made with Gruy�re, fresh tomatoes and nutmeg for warmth, from Food Network's Barefoot Contessa.

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Kosher salt
Vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
  • Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.
  • Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

MEATY MACARONI & CHEESE



Meaty Macaroni & Cheese image

Make and share this Meaty Macaroni & Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by -------

Categories     Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sliced celery
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce (with tomato bits)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook mscaroni & drain.
  • Brown ground beef & drain off fat.
  • Add onions, celery, & tomato sauce to beef & cook until onions are done.
  • Mix macaroni & beef mixture.
  • Put in casseroledish & cover with shredded cheese.
  • Cover with Reynolds Wrap the first 15-20 minute
  • Bake at 350F for 25-30 minute.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440.1, Fat 12.4, SaturatedFat 4.8, Cholesterol 73.7, Sodium 1231.2, Carbohydrate 49.8, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 6.6, Protein 31.3

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