Mac & Cheese is a very simple dinner to make whether you only have a microwave or a stove and oven set up. It is the pantry’s favorite companion, and has a long shelf life. Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is also quite affordable! But sometimes a staple like Kraft Macaroni and Cheese needs a little facelift. A simple creative adjustment could be adding a protein or a vegetable to the boxed pasta cuisine. However, we have outlined five delicious options to upgrade your Kraft Mac & Cheese that make for a delicious meal for you, the family, or your guests for a Badger game viewing.

5 Ways to Upgrade Your Mac & Cheese

Taco Macaroni

• Prep: 15 mins
• Cook: 20 mins
• Total: 25 mins
• Servings: 4-5 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 oz. packet reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix
• 6 oz. box macaroni and cheese
• 2 c. water
• 2-3 tbsp. milk

Directions:

1.  Spray a large skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium-high heat. Add ground meat, and sprinkle taco seasoning over the top. Stir and cook until meat is heated through, crumbling it as much as possible.
2. Stir in uncooked macaroni (not the cheese packet yet!) and 2 c. water. Bring to a simmer, and cook for the recommended time on the macaroni package. Most liquid should be absorbed at this point. If the pasta looks dry before cooking is complete, add about 1/4 c. water at a time as needed.
3. Reduce heat to low, and stir in cheese packet and a little milk to your desired consistency. Turn off heat and serve.

Pizza Mac & Cheese Bake

• Prep: 30 mins
• Cook: 20 mins
• Total: 50 mins
• Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 1 package (7-1/4 ounces) macaroni and cheese dinner mix
• 6 cups water
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 small green pepper, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 jar (14 ounces) pizza sauce
• 1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni
• 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Set the cheese packet from dinner mix aside. In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add macaroni; cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Drain macaroni; stir in the contents of cheese packet.
3. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Top with the beef mixture, pizza sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese.
4. Bake, uncovered, at 350° until heated through, 20-25 minutes.

Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheese

• Prep: 15 mins
• Cook: 10 mins
• Total: 25 mins
• Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of french bread
• 1 cup leftover macaroni & cheese pasta
• panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 heaping cup shredded cheddar cheese
• butter
• salt & pepper
• ketchup to serve with

Directions:

1. Get a pan on medium heat with a chunk of butter.
2. While the pan is heating, in a bowl, mix macaroni & cheese, around 2 tablespoons of panko crumbs, a couple pinches of cheese, and salt & pepper to taste.
3. Mix ingredients together, then form into patties, placing in heated pan.
4. Cook until golden brown on each side.
5. While the macaroni & cheese patties cook, prepare the rest of the sandwich.
6. Butter the outside of each slice.
7. Once buttered, take a plate with panko crumbs and press the buttered side of each slice into the pankos to crust the sandwich.
8. Place about half of the cheese on the bottom slice.
9. Once patties are cooked, add it on top of cheese, then top with more cheese, and other slice of bread.
10. Fry until golden brown on each side.

Chili Mac & Cheese

• Prep: 5 mins
• Cook: 15 mins
• Total: 20 mins
• Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 box macaroni & cheese
• 2 tablespoon butter
• ¼ cup milk
• ½ pound ground beef
• ½ can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 can Rotel drained
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon cumin

Directions:

1. Prepare macaroni according to box directions, using butter and milk amounts listed above.
2. While macaroni is cooking, brown the ground beef. Drain excess grease.
3. Add ground beef, black beans, rotel, chili powder, and cumin and stir.

Fried Mac & Cheese Balls

• Prep: 15 mins
• Cook: 20 mins
• Total: 35 mins
• Servings: 2
   

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cultured unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• ¾ cupcream (or half and half)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup leftover Mac & cheese
• ½ cup flour
• 1 large egg (beaten)
• 1 cup panko (you can also use regular bread crumbs)
• parmesan cheese (for serving)

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the flour and stir vigorously until the mixture is bubbling. Remove the pan from the heat, then slowly whisk in the half and half until it is fully incorporated and there are no lumps. Return the pan to a medium-low heat stove and use a silicone spatula to continuously scrape the bottom of the pan to keep the sauce from burning. When the sauce is thick and bubbly, remove the pan from the heat and add the mac cheese. Stir to combine, then taste for salt and adjust as needed. Cool to room temperature, then place the mixture into the fridge to harden.
2. Once the macaroni mixture has cooled, it will be very firm. Use a spoon to scoop out a 1 1/2" ball, then roll it between your hands to make it round, pressing down a bit to remove any air pockets. You should be able to make about 8 balls.
3. Add about 2 inches of oil into a heavy bottomed pot. Turn the heat onto medium high, and watch for the temperature to reach about 320 degrees F. In the meantime, get 3 shallow bowls out, and put the flour in one, the egg in another and the panko in the third. Roll each ball in the flour to coat evenly, then in the egg (make sure it's well coated with egg or the panko won't stick). Lastly, drop the balls in the panko and roll around to coat evenly.
4. Line a wire rack with paper towels to place the balls on once they're fried. Fry each ball, rolling them around so they brown evenly until they are golden brown and crisp. Transfer the fried mac and cheese balls to a paper towel lined rack and let them drain. Let them cool for a minute before serving, then top with plenty of grated cheese.