I was working on this post when I saw a post on my buddy Christy Jordan’s site last week. It did such a good job of summing up why she and I blog about the kinds of food we do. Her post is about her Tomato Mozzarella Melts and how using dried basil (versus fresh) doesn’t make you a bad person. And I have to agree. You aren’t going to be fined by the culinary police if dried basil fits into your budget better than fresh or if you use a little cream of chicken soup.
I try my best to keep the recipes I post on Southern Bite simple and inexpensive. I’m not going to swear off convenience foods like brown gravy mix and canned condensed soups, ever. Sure there are probably more wholesome options, but two things have to be considered here: time and money. And believe me, sitting down with your family for a home cooked meal, no matter that it includes ingredients that might make Wolfgang Puck turn his nose up, is far more important than to me than worrying over some ingredients. Your family gathered around the dinner table eating a home cooked meal not only nourishes the body, but the soul as well when you get a chance to just stop and ask your kids how their days were. One of the biggest philosophies behind Southern Bite for me is to get families back to the table, enjoying a meal and each others company. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with your family in this fast-paced conglomeration of activities we call life. And sometimes it has to be about cheap and easy food. I mean, you can’t tell me that fat-filled fast food is ANY better than what’s in a little brown gravy mix. And really, who cares if you used some french onion soup mix rather than spending an hour caramelizing onions? I certainly don’t.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups macaroni
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1 cup water
- 1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onions.
- Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package instructions and drain.
- Once completely browned, drain meet and onions.
- Return to hot pan and add garlic, saute 1 to 2 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant. (I love to use my Microplane for garlic rather than having to clean that dad-blasted garlic press.)
- Add brown gravy mix and water. Mix thoroughly.
- Add can of cheddar cheese soup and stir to combine.
- Add drained pasta to meat mixture and stir well.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
Cheesy Hamburger Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups macaroni
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (.87 to 1.0-ounce) packet brown gravy mix
- 1 cup water
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onions.
- Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package instructions and drain.
- Once completely browned, drain meet and onions.
- Return to hot pan and add garlic, saute 1 to 2 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant.
- Add brown gravy mix and water. Mix thoroughly.
- Add can of cheddar cheese soup and stir to combine.
- Add drained pasta to meat mixture and stir well.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
Robert B. (citycowboy) says
Its just like that boxed dinner we are familiar with, only better, cause we made it ourselves with what we have on hand. It doesnt get any better than that
Stacey says
Exactly! I joked about calling this recipe “Hamburger Assistant”!
Vonnie says
I just made this for my daughter who is going off to college. She wanted the store brand kind but I decided to make this instead. She gave this a “10”!!! Thanks sooo much! She’ll be making this at school,I’m sure!
Stacey says
That’s fantastic! I’m so tickled that she liked it! Best wishes to her as she heads off to college! Tell her to stay close to Southern Bite and I’ll try my best to keep her filled with easy recipes that hopefully might taste like home!
Kim Houston says
Envy!!!! We do not have Cheddar Cheese Soup here in New Zealand…… 🙂
Stacey says
Here’s a quick and easy recipe for a substitution for “cream of” recipe. I’d just stir in about 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese at the end of the recipe and then use it in place of the cheddar cheese soup.
Gerri Barron says
one of the recipes I tried out of your book…it is a go to now….the family loved it and I like it so much better than the boxed ones they liked…and I liked the fact that I can add whatever kind of cream of I wanted to or make my own… 🙂
Stacey says
That’s great, Gerri! I’m so glad you like the recipe. Hey, thanks so much for purchasing the book, too! It means more than you could ever know. 🙂
denise says
Dear stacey–just discovered your website and love the sound and simplicity of your recipes. Wish I had your cookbook. I am a caregiver with much responsibility, including feeding everyone. It”s hard and the expense is harder. Love your stories and perspectives on life and ourselves. You are an inspiration.
Holly says
I just tried this recipe and it was REALLY good. My husband, who isn’t a big fan of ‘processed food’, really liked it and the fact it didn’t have as he put it, an artificial taste. I’m going to check out more of your recipes since this was a big hit.
Stacey says
That’s awesome, Holly! So glad y’all enjoyed it!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hey Stacey! This looks so good! I am careful when using canned soup or dried packets of seasonings only because my husband and I have become salt sensitive over the years. I usually adjust the ingredients to accommodate our taste. My son would eat the entire batch of this! When he was a teenager he loved the box kind. Keep doin’ what ya do!
Stacey says
Thanks so much, Dorothy!
Irene says
I keep finding recipes on your sight that I have been making for years, and my kids make them now lol. I love seeing them and knowing others make them too’ It makes me feel less guilty about feeding them to my family for the last 34 years. .And I always find a few tweeks,, and twists to them thank you !
Stacey says
Isn’t it fun!? Thanks, Irene!
Amber says
I love this recipe and so does my husband. We do add a second can of cheddar cheese soup to add some more creaminess. Otherwise we make it the same as the recipe. I love it since we stopped using the hamburger boxed stuff 5 yrs ago and I have missed cheeseburger mac!
Stacey says
That’s so great to hear, Amber!
Makenzy says
Question: Could I use Au Jus Gravy Mix instead of the regular gravy
Stacey says
I’m pretty sure that’ll work.