Food for Thought

Kraft Dinner, The Boxed Wonder Food

 

By Ryan Page

 

Kraft Dinner! It is a meal companion for many students and not just because it’s what only some could afford. It’s just because it is so easy to make with minimal ingredients needed and a short cooking time it’s what someone could always have when time is a factor. After a while though just having one dish over and over again can get a bit old so here are some things you can do that change up the classic mac & cheese.

Mini Octopus with Kraft Dinner

 

No it isn’t what you think this variation doesn’t involve seafood. It actually only involves hot dogs and the need to feed the child inside.

All you need is:

• 1 box of Kraft Dinner Macaroni and Cheese
• 1 hotdog per person

 

Preparation takes 10 minutes and a cooking time of 10 minutes so 20 total. It also feeds a total of 4  people per 1 box of Kraft Dinner.

Steps

1. Slice the hotdog in half length-wise close to 1-inch from the top. Then turn it by one-quarter and slive it vertically in order to make 4 legs.
2. Using a small knife or even scissors just then cut each leg vertically in half again to create a total of 8 legs. Poking holes in the top for eyes is completely optional.
3. Repeat Steps 1 & 2 for 3 more hotdogs.
4. Boil water and once the boiling point has been reached drop in the hotdogs and cook them as directed.
5. Prepare one box of Kraft Dinner
6. Once finished divide the Kraft Dinner into bowls and top each one with a hotdog octopus.

 

Kraft Dinner Lasagna

 

Don’t worry even though it says lasagna in the title this dish doesn’t take very long at all. Make if you feel like going that extra mile with your meal.
Prep time is 10 minutes and it takes another 10 to cook making a total of 20. It also is able to make 4 servings.

All you need is:

• 1 box of Kraft Dinner Macaroni and Cheese
• 2 cups of seasoned ground beef
• 1 cup of pasta sauce
• 1 cup of shredded cheese

 

Steps

1. Prepare the box of Kraft Dinner using the microwave directions.
2. While Kraft Dinner is cooking in the microwave, combine the meat and sauce together.
3. Once the Kraft Dinner has finished being prepared layer half of it along with half the meat and cheese in a 8-inch microwaveable dish and repeat till all ingredients are layered.
4. Once all ingredients are in the dish microwave on medium power for 10 minutes or until it is heated through.

 

Souped Up Kraft Dinner

 

Feel like making some pasta soup today? It’s actually extremely quick and easy so choose to make this if you don’t have much time but want something different.

Prep time is 10 minutes with another 10 to cook it. It serves a max of 4 people.

All you need is:

• 1 box of Kraft Dinner Macaroni and Cheese
• 1 can of tomato soup

 

Steps

1. Prepare Kraft Dinner using box instructions
2. Replace milk with tomato soup
3. If need be heat and serve. It’s just that easy!

 

Kraft Dinner Fajita Dinner

 

This dish is best made if you feel like adding some spice to your day. It’s easy to make and brings a brand new taste you wouldn’t expect!

Prep time is 10 minutes with another 30 to cook making a total of 40. It also creates servings for 4 people.

All you need is:

• 1 lb. of lean ground beef
• 1 box of Kraft Dinner Macaroni and Cheese
• 1 can of chili-style stewed tomatoes
• 1 cup of water
• ½ cup of shredded cheese
• Whatever toppings you’d like! (ex. Onion, green peppers, salsa)

 

Steps

1. Brown the ground beef in a frying pan
2. Stir in macaroni and cheese packet, tomatoes and water.
3. Bring to a boil then let it simmer for 15 minutes
4. Top with shredded cheese
5. Add any additional toppings

 

Shipwreck Dinner

Lastly here is one that takes a while to make but the wait is well worth it! It adds a lot more to plain old Kraft Dinner than most recipes making it the choice if you want to go all out.

Prep time is 5 minutes but it takes 40 to cook making a total of 45. It creates a max of 4 servings.

All you need is:

• ¾ pounds of extra-lean ground beef
• 1 box of Kraft Dinner Macaroni and Cheese
• 1 can of stewed tomatoes
• 1 cut of frozen peas
• 1 cup of skim milk. Add 2% if you want it to be a bit more creamy!
• ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

 

Steps

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet on medium-high heat.
2. Once browned drain it and then return it back to the skillet
3. Add the macaroni, cheese sauce, tomatoes, peas and milk
4. Bring to a boil and then let it simmer on medium-low heat for 12 minutes or until the macaroni is tender so keep an eye on it!
5. Once cooked put into bowls and top with the shredded mozzarella
6. Let it stand for 5 minutes or until the mozzarella is melted

 

So that’s it for now! Hopefully all these recipes give you ideas and more importantly choices for what your next meal might be. What I hope it absolutely did accomplish though was showing you that even though you have a small budget doesn’t mean that you have to think small and certainly not eat that way. It’s your food, make it the way you want!

If you have any recipes that you would like to be featured in recipe of the day feel free to email me at: rmpage2@myseneca.ca

Kraft Dinner recipes and photos courtesy of Kraft Canada

Sausage and Bean Ragout photo courtesy of Campbell's Kitchen