Seven Quick and Easy Macaroni and Cheese Makeover Recipes

Macaroni and cheese is a steadfast staple for many dinner tables but serve the same tired dish too often and the family will quickly tire of the bland and unexciting taste. Add some zest to your next serving of macaroni and cheese by adding a few additional ingredients to match the main course or simply serve these dishes up as the entire meal. The possibilities are endless and are only limited by your imagination. These recipes also make a quick and easy camping meal sure to keep your camping party satisfied.

Chili Mac

Box of Kraft macaroni and cheese

Milk

Butter

Can of Hormel chili with beans

This makes a great wintertime meal and warms you up from the inside out. Cleanup is quick as it only requires one pot so that makes it camping friendly as well. Cook the macaroni according to the instructions in a large pot. When the macaroni is thoroughly cooked, add the cheese powder, milk and butter and mix thoroughly. Reduce the heat to medium low and add the can of Hormel chili with beans. Mix in the chili with the macaroni and cheese and cover. Let this simmer for about five minutes being careful to stir the pot every minute or so to avoid burning the chili mac. Adding some shredded cheddar to the mix also livens up the flavor and adds an extra bit of gooey, stringiness to the meal.

Fajita Mac

Box of Kraft macaroni and cheese

Milk

Butter

1 pound ground beef

Fajita or taco seasoning

Red Pepper finely chopped (optional)

Green Pepper finely chopped (optional)

Onion finely chopped (optional)

Cook the macaroni according to the instructions in a large pot. While the macaroni is cooking, brown a pound of ground beef in a frying pan or skillet. You can also add finely chopped green and red peppers as well as chopped onion. Add the fajita or taco seasoning to the beef when it's approximately 3 minutes from being thoroughly cooked. When the macaroni is thoroughly cooked, add the cheese powder, milk and butter and mix thoroughly. Add the browned beef to the macaroni and cheese and mix thoroughly. This makes a great side dish or a complete meal when you compliment it with some Mexican style corn or Spanish rice.

Mac Burger

Box of Kraft macaroni and cheese

Milk

Butter

American cheese

1 pound ground beef

Onion chopped (optional)

Ketchup (optional)

Mustard (optional)

Cook the macaroni according to the instructions in a large pot. While the macaroni is cooking, brown a pound of ground beef in a frying pan or skillet. You can add the chopped onion at this point and cook it in the pan with the ground beef. When the macaroni is thoroughly cooked, add the cheese powder, milk and butter and mix thoroughly. When the ground beef has completely browned, mix this with the macaroni and cheese and add a few crumpled slices of American cheese. Continue to stir over low heat for approximately five minutes to melt the cheese. You can also add a dash of ketchup and mustard to the dish if everyone likes those condiments on their burgers.

Swiss Burger Mac

Box of Kraft macaroni and cheese

Milk

Butter

Swiss cheese

1 pound ground beef

1 can of sliced mushrooms

Cook the macaroni according to the instructions in a large pot. While the macaroni is cooking, brown a pound of ground beef in a frying pan or skillet. Add the sliced mushrooms at this point and cook it in the pan with the ground beef. When the macaroni is thoroughly cooked, add the cheese powder, milk and butter and mix thoroughly. When the ground beef has completely browned, mix this with the macaroni and cheese and add a few crumpled slices of Swiss cheese. Continue to stir over low heat for approximately five minutes to melt the cheese.

Chicken Mac

Box of Kraft macaroni and cheese

Milk

Butter

Leftover chicken breast (or even a can of chicken breast in a pinch)

Bacon bits

This recipe works great with leftover chicken breast and you can substitute a can of chicken breast if you're camping for a quick one-pot meal. Cook the macaroni according to the instructions in a large pot. While the macaroni is cooking, dice up the chicken breast or open the can of chicken breast. When the macaroni is thoroughly cooked, add the cheese powder, milk and butter and mix thoroughly. Add the chicken to the macaroni and cheese and sprinkle in a few tablespoons of bacon bits. Continue to stir over low heat for approximately five minutes to heat the chicken and blend the flavors.

Italian Mac

Box of Kraft macaroni and cheese

Milk

Butter

Italian sausage

Spaghetti sauce

Chopped Green pepper (optional)

Chopped Red pepper (optional)

Chopped Onion (optional)

Garlic clove (optional)

Cook the macaroni according to the instructions in a large pot. While the macaroni is cooking, add the Italian sausage, the chopped green and red pepper, chopped onion and minced garlic clove to a frying pan or skillet. If you purchased sausage links, split the sausage casing, remove the sausage, and discard the casing. Brown the contents of the pan. When the macaroni is thoroughly cooked, add the cheese powder, milk and butter and mix thoroughly. When the sausage in the pan has completely cooked, drain off the grease and add to the macaroni and cheese. Add a few tablespoons of spaghetti sauce and mix over low heat for approximately five minutes. Sprinkle on grated parmesan cheese before serving.

Mac and Ham

Box of Kraft macaroni and cheese

Milk

Butter

Ham (or Spam)

This is another great camping recipe that cooks up in just one pot and works great with Spam or leftover ham. Cook the macaroni according to the instructions in a large pot.

While the macaroni is cooking, cube the leftover ham or open the can of Spam and cube the meat. When the macaroni is thoroughly cooked, add the cheese powder, milk and butter and mix thoroughly. Add the cubed ham or Spam to the macaroni and cheese and stir over low heat for another five minutes to warm the mean.

Add some variety to your dinner table or camping menu by spicing up your next dish of macaroni and cheese. You can also have a lot of fun experimenting with recipes with the kids.