Simple Macaroni & Cheese Beef Skillet Bake

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 (7 1/2 ounce) box macaroni and cheese mix (kraft or like)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 lb 90% lean ground beef (90/10 or above is best)
• 1/4-1/2 cup onion, chopped finely, measured amount your preference
• 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated and divided
• 1 (10 ounce) can mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk or 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce (or less, your preference)
• pepper
• 1 (4 ounce) can mushrooms, sliced and drained (ingredient is optional)

Recipe

• 1 prepare box of macaroni and cheese as directed on box with 1/2 tsp salt added to boiling water.
• 2 preheat oven to 350°f.
• 3 spray oil an 8 x 8 casserole dish.
• 4 while macaroni is boiling, brown ground beef in a large skillet and add chopped onion the last few minutes lowering heat and cooking until onion is clear in color.
• 5 drain any fat off the meat.
• 6 in the prepared mac & cheese, fold in 1/4 cup cheese, mushroom soup, milk and worcestershire sauce, remaining 1/2 tsp salt and pepper to taste.
• 7 add ground meat mixture and drained mushrooms (optional) and mix well.
• 8 transfer mixture into the spray oiled casserole dish and top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• 9 bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
• 10 quick version: keep the mixture in the large skillet, sprinkle top with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, lower heat to a very slow simmer and cook until cheese is melted and mixture is heated throughout. (however, i do believe the baked version is tastier).