Recipes with Boxed Macaroni and Cheese Mix?

Question

Everybody knows that boxed macaroni and cheese mix (like Kraft) is a super-cheap way to stretch your food budget. Does anyone have any easy recipes, tips, or add-ins to dress it up a little bit or make it into a main dish? Thanks!

A lot of the ideas posted are ones I've already tried, like adding tuna or hamburger. I'm just soooo tired of the same old thing to eat every night, but my family balks at the idea of trying new recipes. However, if it looks a little familiar to them (like mac + cheese), I think I will have an easier time getting them out of the same old rut.

Answer 1

try some small grape tomatoes and pepperoni slices...
kids love these add in's.

Answer 2

I add a 1/4 cup for powder mix, or 1/2 to 3/4 for the deluxe of sour cream and a little milk to give it more of a sharper taste and I add hot dogs sliced or on top with bread crumbs and parm cheese and bake it or I add hamburg for a easy hamburger helper, or sliced kielbasa to it and or chopped tomatoes, kids love it

Answer 3

Here's a few options:

You can add tuna to your mac-n-cheese for a less expensive version of tuna helper.

You can also add seasoned grilled chicken & cream cheese to it.

You can add nacho cheese (leftovers or fresh) to it!

Another helpful tip is substituting chicken for beef in your favorite Hamburger Helper boxes...one that's especially delicious is the Cheeseburger Macaroni (or as I call it Chickenburger Macaroni!).

Answer 4

If your really broke! Go to the deli at your local supermarket and buy the cheese ends! mix in with the mac and cheese, and bake it! It should cost abot a dollar more but works well. Also take a small amount of chopmeat. Fry the meat and add it to your mac and cheese.

Answer 5

I usually add a little cheddar cheese to mine, makes it taste better. I've also mixed cut cooked hot dogs into the mac n cheese. You could also add chunks of ham, chicken or pork chops. Adding vegetables with meat or without, either way is great, too. Happy cooking!

Answer 6

You can put it in the oven for about an hour at 350 degress. Or you can cook the macaroni then mix all ingredence together and heat in the oven for about 15 mins on 350. Good luck!

Answer 7

My husband tosses in 2 cans of drained tuna, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 can of drained peas, and 2 slices of American cheese slices.

It sounds totally disgusting, but I tried it and it's really good!

Answer 8

Try adding a can of tomato soup and some parmesan! This is so much better that it might sound and really is an inexpensive stretch to the dish.

Answer 9

I like adding canned tuna fish & some frozen peas (they will thaw in the hot mac & cheese).

Answer 10

Mac and Cheese is one of my staples! You can add a can of tuna fish and some frozen green peas to make a tuna casserole, or add some of your favorite salsa and green chili's to spice it up. You can also add cut up rotisserie chicken and black or kidney beans with a little salsa to give it a kick. I love to cook mine with porkchops in the oven. Yum!

Answer 11

add a pound of ground beef. season the meat with whatever or however to add a little flavor.

brown the meat and drain then mix to the prepared mac and cheese


my brother loves this!!