CHEESEBURGER MAC & CHEESE

Hello fellow foodies. Welcome to National "Men make DINNER DAY"..

 I am not sure who came up with this one, but I can make an educated guess.

Anyway, today the boss is out with one of her friends, so I am on my own for dinner.

Usually when she is out, I make some sort of casserole. They are quick and easy.

As many of you know, I am a HUGE fan of Cooks Country.

It's my favorite magazine, and you should be getting it as well.

SUBSCRIBE HERE !!!!!

You just subscribed ?" RIGHT ??

OK, Now we can move on.

I got my current issue a awhile back and have been waiting for a chance to try this one out. 

It's a take off on the old Hamburger Helper that many kids have grown up on. And in many cases all that some people can make.  (Insert ex-wife joke here)

So let's give Cook's Country's version a try. 

It's  CHEESEBURGER MAC & CHEESE....

Here are the ingredients

1 ½ TBL Water

1 ½ CUPS Water

1 tsp Salt (divided ½ & ½)

1 tsp Pepper

½ tsp Baking Soda

1 lb. Ground Beef (I used Chuck)

1 TBL Veg Oil (EVOO)

2 Cups of Elbow Macaroni

1 Cup MILK

1 Can MUSHROOMS (My addition)

2 Cups GRATED American Cheese (divided 1 Cup / 1 Cup)

2 Cups GRATED Sharp Cheddar Cheese (divided 1 Cup / 1 Cup)

½ Cup Finely Chopped Onion. (Plus some extra for serving)

¼ Cup Finely Chopped DILL Pickles (Plus some extra for serving)

2 TBL Catsup

2 TBL Yellow Mustard

1 TBL Worcestershire Sauce

Stir 1 ½ TBL water, ½ tsp salt, pepper and Baking Soda in a large bowl. 

Stir until dissolved. Add Beef and mix until combined. 

Let sit for15 minutes.

Heat Oil in oven safe pan until just smoking. Add beef and cook, breaking up any large pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until well browned. (6 to 8 min)

Add Macaroni, milk and, 1 ½ Cups of water. 

This is where I added the Mushrooms. 

Bring to a boil.

Cover and reduce heat to medium low. Cook until pasta is al-dante. (about 5 min. - Stir at the 2 ½ min mark.)

Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat.

Stir in 1 ½ Cups of the American Cheese, and 1 ½ Cups of the Cheddar.

Add the Onions, Pickles, Ketchup, Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce and ½ tsp of Salt. Cook until combined. About 2 minutes (KEEP Stirring)

Add the remaining Cheese on top. Place under the broiler and broil until the Cheese stars to brown. About 2 minutes. (Keep your EYE on it)

Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

Sprinkle on some chopped pickles and onions.

SERVE !!!

So, here it is. And the verdict is ????????

It was O.K. Not great, but O.K. That being said, it was still better than the "other kind." 

And it DOES taste like a Cheese Burger !! The Mustard and Pickle taste really shines.

This is one of those recipes for you folks with kids or grand kids. THEY WILL LOVE IT.

So the next time the little rug rats are hungry, give this one a try.

They can thank me when they grow up.

Time for Doggie and an Adult Beverage,

See you all next time.

Live Long & Prosper