Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Lean Ground Beef

I enjoy experimenting with recipes and ingredients, so I thought I would make some baked macaroni and cheese with ground beef my way, since I had all the ingredients I needed at home already. Reading from a recipe doesn't always satisfy my inner creativity. Unfortunately I had no garlic or garlic salt. Garlic spoils too quickly in my house, but I would've added an immense amount were I to have it. My husband and I enjoyed my experiment, but if you are someone who does not like the taste of "real" tomatoes, I suggest substituting the can of diced tomatoes for a can of spaghetti sauce. 

Ingredients: 

• 1lb lean ground beef
• 2 boxes of Kraft Dinner (I put the seasoning aside for a different day)
• 1 can of corn (341ml) 
• 1 can of diced tomatoes (796ml)
• 200g of Monterey Jack cheese (this is what we had in the house, if I had more I would've put more...lol)
• 2 medium onions (chopped)
• 1/4 cup of butter
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder
• bread crumbs (optional)

Add caption

Step 1: Brown the meat on medium heat and boil your water.

Step 2: While you are browning and boiling, chop your onions.

Step 3: Grate your cheese and put your noodles in the boiling water. Then cook them according to package. (normally 8 minutes)

Step 4: Turn off the heat, then drain your meat. Set aside. Drain noodles and set aside. 

Step 5: Place butter and onions in pot. Brown them. Once browned add tomatoes (don't drain), corn (drain), ground beef and all spices. 

Step 6: While your meat mixture is cooking, layer half the macaroni on bottom of tray. 

Step 7: After meat mixture has cooked for 5-8 minutes spread half evenly onto the macaroni.

Step 8: Layer cheese then thin layer of bread crumbs. 

Step 9: Repeat layering once more. (Macaroni, meat mixture, cheese and bread crumbs.) 

Then place in oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. 

And done! I enjoyed mine with some "Italiano blend seasoning" my husband enjoyed his with ketchup (EW).