Thursday, September 22, 2011

Cheeseburger Skillet Dinner

I won a battle. Clara walked up to the skillet and said, “Mom that looks good!” She didn’t even notice the vegetables right away. Until she started eating, but she finished her dinner for a change anyway.

This isn’t anything fancy obviously, and maybe that’s the key. If the school lunch humans would mix vegetables into their meals instead of leaving them as a side, maybe more would be eaten instead of tossed untouched into garbage cans.

Too bad there are all those stupid rules that prevent any creativity from the school lunch staff. Maybe someday, and someday soon. Things are starting to change for the better I hear. Clara came home last week and bragged about the slices of fresh cantaloupe on her tray.

It’s a good start.

Cheeseburger Skillet Dinner
Print Recipe
A fast, fun and slightly adapted Taste of Home recipe.


1 package deluxe macaroni and cheese, the type with the sauce packet (I used Annie’s Creamy Deluxe Shells & Real Aged Cheddar Sauce.)
1-pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
Dash of seasoning salt
1 package (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables (without lima beans)
1/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown beef with the onion and a dash of seasoning salt, drain. Stir in vegetables, ketchup, water, mustard and garlic powder. Cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 10 minutes. Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Mix in macaroni and cheese. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Yield: 4-6 servings. Total time 25 minutes.

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home. Picture by Laura Flowers.


7 comments:

Joanne said...

Don't even get me started on school lunch. If all parents were like you and trying to take small steps...kids would most certainly eat more veggies.

The Atwoods said...

Laura - this looks so good! My man would definitely love this :)

Veronica said...

Love that picture of Clara! She's such a pretty girl. I agree, even as an adult, veggies are much easier to eat if they're part of the meal instead of on the side. WTG!

myfudo said...

That's a wonderfully prepared skillet. I would love to add up some gravy on top of it as an added twist.

myfudo said...

That's a wonderfully prepared skillet. I would love to add up some gravy on top of it as an added twist.

Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction said...

I bet my hubby would love this one, too! Love the photo of Clara! :)

Sue said...

Clara does look like she's ready to dig in! I want to too!

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