Cowboy Macaroni

This cowboy mac and cheese recipe turns a packaged meal into a hearty favorite by adding lean ground beef, corn, onion, and a tasty tomato sauce.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 479 Calories

Ingredients

• water
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound extra-lean ground beef
• 1 (14 ounce) package macaroni and cheese
• 1 (10 ounce) can canned whole kernel corn
• 1 (10 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup milk

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.

Step 3

While the macaroni is cooking, brown ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat until beef is browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain excess grease.

Step 4

Drain macaroni; do not rinse. Return to the pot and add butter, milk, and both packages of cheese sauce mix. Stir until well combined.

Step 5

Combine macaroni and cheese, ground beef mixture, undrained corn, tomato sauce, and tomato paste in a 2-quart casserole dish; mix well.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, 20 to 25 minutes. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.