Are Grocery Store Shortcuts Really Okay??

There isn't a man on Earth who'd turn down Hamburger Helper. Adam

Ok, ok I caved. I didn't make actual, from the box Hamburger Helper, but I did make a variation using my own spices, creativity and methods. Before you judge me, I should explain my reasoning behind this dinner downfall.

Yesterday morning, I decided I wanted to cook dinner for Adam, but I wanted something fairly easy and quick because I was working all day and going to the gym until after 7:30 p.m. That definitely doesn't give me spare time to grocery shop or cook. Gourmet and girly food has been on the menu at Chez Lauren for the last few weeks so with Adam in mind, I decided it was time to make some old fashion "man" food. And what's more manly than ground beef and macaroni and cheese in one pot?

To be honest, I was kind of excited about the dish because, and please don't tell my mother, I love Kraft Mac and Cheese. When I was a child, I never saw that blue box in the pantry, and I could only eat Kraft at friends' houses. I had friends who loved playing at my house because we could have one Coke after school, and I loved playing at their houses because I got to eat deliciously processed macaroni and powdered orange cheese. It was always a novelty, and I loved it from the moment I scooped a heaping spoonful onto my paper plate at my first slumber party.

Now that I've explained my dinner choice, I can tell you that it's not as store bought as it sounds. If, on the rare occasions, I make shortcut dishes, I try to spice them up with little changes to create a more homemade taste. Now, don't start calling me Sandra Lee just yet, I have not and will not cross over to the dark side of semi-homemade. I still absolutely prefer serving made-from-scratch dinners, but sometimes, it's just easier to make a quick and tasty supper, to wash only one pan, and to make Adam a very happy manly man with man food for dinner.

One Skillet Salsa Dinner
Adapted from kraftfoods.com

1 lb. ground beef
2 cups water
1 cup extra chunky medium salsa (I like Pace)
1 package (14 oz.) Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner with 2% Milk Cheese
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 cup jalapeno slices, from a jar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 cups frozen corn
1 green onion, sliced

Brown ground beef until almost cooked then drain fat. Add water, salsa and macaroni. Simmer for 10 minutes or until macaroni is tender, stirring often. Add corn, cheese sauce, chili powder, jalapenos, salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 2 or 3 minutes or until heated through.

Plate and sprinkle with green onions. Serve with a small taco salad sans the meat, of course.