What I’m Making: Meaty Mac and Cheese

This recipe is one I make if we are going somewhere.  It’s often my recipe I take to a picnic only then I double it, and it fills a larger crock pot.

I really don’t know why they call this Mac and Cheese.  The recipe is made with Mac and Cheese but it doesn’t taste like it at all.  Long ago I bought this recipe book at the thrift store.  It has long been a favorite of mine.

I have tried many recipes in the book and many have become family favorites.  This is one of them.


Here is the recipe:What you need:
1 package of you favorite mac and cheese
1 pound of ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onions
1 1/2 cups salsa (your choice of heat)
1/2 cup corn
1 can sliced ripe olives
3 Tablespoons diced pimentos (I don’t use these)
Shredded cheese

Set aside cheese packet from the mac and cheese box.  In a pan cook the macaroni in a pan.  In another pan brown the ground beef and onions.  Add salsa, corn, olives and pimentos.  Heat through.  Drain cooked macaroni.  Add to the meat mix.  Add the cheese packet from the mac and cheese.  Add shredded cheese as a garnish or stir it in for added flavor.

**the milk and butter listed on the mac and cheese box are not needed**

I intended to take a nice picture of the dish but I had “hungry-mungries” at my house that dug right into the food and didn’t give me time to take pictures so you’ll have to make do with this picture.


For our version on this day, Karl put in some awesome cheese with bacon in it.  It was better than ever.  I usually make two boxes of this at a time as the leftovers are good I always have some hungry-mungries here who are happy to eat.

23 thoughts on “What I’m Making: Meaty Mac and Cheese”

  1. Sure looks good! Taste of Home have some of my favorite recipes and one can almost always know they will be good. I may need to try this.

    1. No. Personally noodles in the Insant Pot aren’t my fave. I have trouble getting them the right consistency.

  2. Looks yummy. I love the TOH quick recipes. On another note, I bought a stack of quilt magazines yesterday at the Goodwill outlet store. I was just looking through an APQ issue from Feb 2018, and there are you & Kelli with On the Bright Side. Such a pretty quilt.

  3. Sounds yummy! Thanks, Jo! I live alone, but it looks like leftovers would keep well and reheat the next day,

    I think you meant to say “the milk and BUTTER listed on the package are not needed.”

  4. I have been looking for some new dinner time inspiration. Thanks, I know my 14 year old grandson who is staying with me during the quarantine will enjoy it!

    1. I am always so terrible at serving sizes. My family eats more than a regular serving. I guess I would say the same amount two boxes of Mac and Cheese would feed….4 people per box?

  5. Judith Fairchild

    Thanks Jo, we make it but have never used salsa this recipe goes on my do soon list. Thank you again

  6. This looks really yummy! Will have to try it.
    Oh and you’re welcome (previous post :-) ) We love ya!
    Love and prayers

  7. I make something similar, I season the beef with taco seasoning, adding a can of cream of mushroom soup and less salsa. Haven’t made it in a long time, thanks for the reminder. Always enjoy your blog.

  8. This looks like it would be quick and easy to make and also to serve to hungry visitors. Thanks for sharing

  9. Darlynn Venne

    Jo, I am making this tonight for dinner. Oh my goodness, it is really good! I did not add the olives or corn. Not that we don’t like them, but the other ingredients carried the flavor and less calories. Thank you for sharing.

  10. I made this recipe last night also omitting the pimento as I didn’t have it on hand. It was good enough to go in for seconds. This recipe made enough for four people.

  11. I made this for supper last night. The husband liked it. I followed the recipe as written. When you say you make with 2 boxes, do you double the whole recipe, or just the mac & cheese?

  12. Nance in Reno

    This is a great quarantine for recipe! I had all the ingredients in the cupboards, except the corn. All I had was a can of creamed corn. Used the entire can. It was so quick, easy, and tasty! Thanks!

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