Zesty Cheeseburger Mac Casserole

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photo by:kraft

When you start with cheeseburger mac, you can't go wrong. The fact that it's a smarter option just makes it better.

time

prep:

15 min

total:

54 min

servings

total:

5 servings, 1-1/2 cups each

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What You Need

pkg. (16 oz.) frozen vegetable blend (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower) (3 cups)

pkg. (14 oz.) KRAFT Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Made With 2% Milk Cheese

3/4

cup fat-free milk

1/4

cup KRAFT Lite Zesty Italian Dressing

lb. extra-lean ground beef, cooked, drained

cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided

Make It

HEAT oven to 375°F.

PLACE frozen vegetables in colander in sink. Cook Macaroni as directed on package. Pour cooked macaroni over vegetables in colander to drain and quickly thaw vegetables.

RETURN macaroni and vegetables to same saucepan. Add Cheese Sauce, milk and dressing; mix well. Add cooked meat and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese; mix well. Spoon into 2-qt. casserole; cover.

BAKE 35 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining Cheddar; bake, uncovered, 3 to 4 min. or until cheese is melted.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Makeover - How We Did It

We made over a favorite KRAFT recipe. Save 110 calories, 13 g of fat and 4 g of saturated fat per serving by preparing with extra-lean ground beef instead of 80% lean ground beef and using KRAFT Light Zesty Italian Dressing and KRAFT Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Made with 2% Milk Cheese instead of the regular products.

Substitute

Substitute 1 can (12 oz.) white tuna in water, drained, for the cooked ground beef.

Make Ahead

Prepare as directed except for baking; cover. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake, covered, at 375°F for 40 to 45 min. or until heated through. Remove from oven; uncover. Top with remaining cheese. Let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

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cassandra1974

posted:4/10/2009

This is really great with some modifications. I increased the cheese to 1-1/2 cups, increased the milk to 1 cup, added 1/4 cup mayo, 2 tsp dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and seasoned the beef with seasoned salt and pepper after cooking. It was creamy, cheesy, and delicious and so inexpensive to make.

mywamblee

posted:2/22/2009

This has become an instant favorite in our home. I cook it about once every other week!!

a cook

posted:1/8/2009

It really lacks in flavor. I might make it again if I can figure out what it lacks.

kara0548

posted:10/25/2008

I would only make this recipe again if I were really pressed for time and feeling lazy. Wasn't all that great.

mrscyko2

posted:12/13/2007

I would definitely NOT recommend this recipe. My kids, who love hamburger and mac n cheese, chose peanut butter and jelly sandwiches over this. Sorry Kraft Foods but, I'm starting to lose faith in your Recipes.

Pookey1619

posted:12/7/2007

Thought it was really dry, not creamy or cheesy like I thought it would be. It also lacked in the taste department.

mrsrood

posted:11/13/2007

I loved this! I thought the left overs tasted just as good as the first time if not better. This is my favorite so far!

lindsay.leigh1323