Comfort food for kids...and some adults, too!

Cheeseburger Mac

1/2 pound 95% lean ground beef
2 single-serve packets microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner
1 cup water
8 to 10 dill pickle slices (optional)

1. Brown ground beef in small nonstick skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking up into small crumbles.
2. Meanwhile open the macaroni packets and empty contents into 1-quart microwave-safe bowl.
3. Add water to macaroni, stir with spoon. Microwave, uncovered on HIGH 4-1/2 to 5 minutes, or until macaroni is tender. Using pot holders, remove bowl from microwave oven. DO NOT drain off water.
4. Open cheese sauce mix packets and add contents to macaroni. Stir carefully to mix well.
5. Let macaroni and cheese stand 1 to 2 minutes to allow sauce to thicken.
6. Remove beef from skillet with slotted spoon and add to macaroni and cheese. Stir to mix well.
7. Place pickle slices on top if desired.

Serves 2.

Tip: May substitute fully-cooked ground beef crumbles.

Tip: Especially for the kids - Ask mom or dad to cook an extra pound of lean ground beef ahead of time. After drippings are poured off, separate the ground beef into four plastic baggies and keep in the freezer. These can be taken out of the freezer, reheated in the microwave, and used in this recipe for a short cut.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Texas Beef Council and Beef It's Whats For Dinner.