Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Mexican Macaroni and Cheese

I like to think I'm a pretty decent cook. Not a gourmet cook by any means, but a good everyday, having the fam like/love the dinner in front of them, kind of cook. And every once in a while I find or make a recipe that really hits it out of the park. The kind where they rave all through dinner and tell me how good it is. The kind where they are offering to do the dishes without my hunting them down like I'm on some kind of safari for a rare breed of animal. (But I guess a teenager doing the dishes voluntarily really is a rare breed, now that I think of it.) Anyway, here is one that had them doling out the compliments the other day. In fact, they ate it before I could grab the camera and take a picture. And it was easy, to boot.

Maybe we can cause a revolution to happen in kitchens all across North America with teenagers voluntarily doing the dishes. Now that would make headlines. "Revolution in the kitchens of blogging Mother's all across North America". Nah, probably not, but it is a nice thought! Anyway, easy recipe, raving husband and children, dishes done, that works for me!


MEXICAN MACARONI AND CHEESE
Keep it simple or fancy it up with the optional ingrediants

-1 kg (2 lbs.) lean ground beef
-2 boxes Kraft Dinner Macaroni and Cheese
-3 Tbsp. margarine or butter
-1/2 cup milk
-2 cups V8 vegatable juice
-1 package taco seasoning

Optional ingrediants:
-1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar or Montery Jack cheese
-1 fresh tomato, deseeded and chopped
-2 green onions, chopped
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet until no pink is showing. Drain off the fat well. Add the V8 juice and taco seasoning and stir to mix well. Simmer for a couple of minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the macaroni in boiling, salted water for 7 minutes. Drain well. Return to pot and add margarine, milk and cheese packets from box. Mix well.
Add the macaroni to the beef mix and stir. Voila! Wonderful as is!
Or the optional part:
At this point you can heat oven to 375* and lightly spray or grease a 9x13 baking dish. Add the macaroni and beef. Top with the grated cheese, chopped tomatoes and chopped onions. Bake just until the cheese is hot and bubbly. About 8 - 10 minutes.

17 comments:

ellen b. said...

Oh It sounds so good I want it now for breakfast!

Jen said...

It sounds really good. I'm always looking for new recipes for the family. Thanks so much.

Diane Meyer said...

Okay, that is just cruel to bring this up when I am starving! Oh well, I guess I know what we'll have for dinner...
I love the name of your blog, btw. :-)

Kelli said...

Kraft Mac n Cheese is a food group in this house. Now, I may have a new way to fix it up!

Anonymous said...

Matt's grandmother used to use V8 in her stew. Interesting. I'll have to try this one. I tried a tamale pie recipe last night that was easy and a huge hit with everyone too. I love easy quick good recipes.

Barb said...

Those teenaged volunteer dishwashers are very rare animals indeed, Susanne. LOL

That's exactly the kind of cook I am - a good everyday cook who occasionally cooks something that knocks the socks off my family. This recipe sounds completely delicious!

Faith said...

This looks great...it's going on my list of new recipes to try next week!!

Anonymous said...

That sounds YUMMY!!
I love macaroni anything!

Shawna said...

I will be trying this (& adding some mushrooms for good measure!) Thanks, Susanne.

Jodi said...

looks great - thanks!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

This is a real possibility ... I think I could tackle this!

Sandra said...

Sounds really good.....I'll have to try it.

PJ said...

Teenagers volunteering to do dishes. Now that's an accomplishment!

The Apron Queen said...

Oh! This sounds supper yummy. And easy!

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gail@more than a song said...

Well yum! I might have to half it for us but it looks good. Did you put it in the oven to bake like it says at the end? That sounds good that way!

Michelle said...

would the teenagers come here once a while ? thanks for a great recipe can't wait to try it..maybe the pre-schooler here will help clear the table! wishful thinking..

Anonymous said...

I just wanted you to know I made this recipe today and MY MERCY it made a lot!! Hubby and I both enjoyed it but now I'm going to have to send the leftovers to work with him...LOL...those guys won't cry though, they love it when I do that!

I'm going to pass the recipe to my daughter to as she does a lot of Church hospitality and that would feed a good houseful!

Thanks for sharing it with us!♥