Hamburger Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

- The original recipe calls for several ingredients.  The starred ingredients are the only ones I use.

1 tsp olive oil
*1 lb hamburger
1/2 medium onion, chopped
*2 cups (1 can) chicken or beef broth
*1 cup water
*1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup tomato paste (instead I add a little ketchup)
*2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper
*2 1/2 cup macaroni (before cooking)
*3 TBS butter
*3 TBS flour
*1 cup milk
*2 cup shredded cheese


1) Heat olive oil and add browned hamburger. Add onion.
2)  Add broth, water, ketchup, omato paste, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
3) Add macorni and bring to a boil.  (The broth and water will allow macaroni to cook.  If needed add more water.)  After boiling, reduce heat until macaroni is completely cooked.

4) Meanwhile, melt butter in another pan and add flour.  Whisk until well blended.  Add milk and again whisk until smooth.  Cook until sauce begins to thicken.  This usually takes about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and add cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.

5) Add cheese sauce to hamburger/noodle mixture.


+++Instead of completing step 4, you could add your own cheese, velvetta cheese, etc.
+++ I have also thought step 1 -3 alone would make a nice meal…..similar to goulash.
+++You could also cook the noodles in the broth before adding the hamburger and ketchup.

After meal is combined, I place in ziplock bag to freeze until ready to eat.