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You are here: Home / Food / Lumberjack Macaroni

by Stacy  12 Comments

Lumberjack Macaroni

I know there are some of you out there hanging on for dear life to your Hamburger Helper. Admit it. Even though it’s got TONS of additives and not-so-good stuff for you in it, you keep it. Like a safety net or a blankey. But guess what? You can make your OWN Hamburger Helper and it will taste even better. Bye bye additives and artificial coloring! Hello Lumberjack Macaroni! This post is for you, Tia Thomas!Guest posting for me today is my very close and dear friend, Brandy. You’ll probably get used to seeing her around here because I like her point of view. Thanks Brandy!

Stashed in the closet at my grandparents’ house was a box of cookbooks.  Not many other people in my family were interested in cooking from scratch, so I gladly accepted the box when my grandad offered it to me.  Mike and I took it home and looked through its treasured contents.  In it, there were many cookbooks and handwritten recipes–recipes I recognized.  The garlic toast, the Busy Day cake, the Economical Gold cake.  My Grandma Lois was known for her cakes and now I would be, too.  Two more wonderful surprises were the Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook and the Betty Crocker Cooky Book.  Both of these books are central to cooking in our home.  If I’m looking for a recipe for a pie, waffles, cookies or how long to broil a steak, I check Betty first.  One of my favorites from the Picture Cookbook is Lumberjack Macaroni.  I tried it first because I liked the name, but I also appreciate its simplicity and economy.  My daughter noted how much it was like “Burger Helper” (without all the creepy flavor enhancers).  Here is my modified version:

Lumberjack Macaroni

  • 8 oz. (two cups) macaroni
  • 1/2 stick of butter
  • 2 cups of shredded Cheddar and/or American cheese
  • 1-2 cups chili, homemade or otherwise
  • Worcestershire sauce to taste
  1. Cook macaroni to desired tenderness, toss with butter.
  2. Warm chili and mix with shredded cheese in a 3 quart dish.
  3. Stir in buttered macaroni and add Worcestershire sauce.
  4. Serve immediately.  Makes six servings.

If you are offered old cookbooks from someone in your family, take them.  Treasure them.  If agriculture is the single most essential human activity, cooking is surely not far behind.

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About Stacy

Stacy is a Homemaking and Business Mom Mentor, the author of two cookbooks, creator of multiple e-courses, seasoned life coach, and comedian extraordinaire. Her first priority is her husband and her children - family first. She presses on each day because her calling is to teach, train, and mentor other ladies to have their dreams. She believes if it’s not easy, you won’t do it – because she’s lived it. She’ll bring YOU the awesome so that you can get your home back into control and watch your business soar. For tips and easy strategies, you can follow her on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the content above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comment Policy: I love reading your thoughts and input on what you read here. I'm sure we'll disagree sometimes and that's okay! In those cases, do what's right for you and yours. As with any form of communication, only post comments that move the discussion in a positive direction.

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Comments

  1. Tia says

    September 30, 2011 at 4:14 pm

    This reminds me a lot of the Mexican Mac & Cheese that we make quite often – I make mac & cheese, then stir in a can of chili beans and a can of diced tomatoes with green chilis. It is yummy!!

    Reply
  2. Sarah says

    September 28, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    do you have a homemade chili recipe??

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      September 28, 2011 at 4:17 pm

      There is one on the site…..and I hope to come out with one this fall. 🙂
      http://www.stacymakescents.com/deceptively-delicious-turkey-chili

      Reply
  3. Linda says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:01 pm

    Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  4. Dianne@Baking4Six says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    I may be uninformed — but isn’t American “cheese” actually processed cheese? If so, is processed cheese a “whole food”? This is in no way meant to be a criticism, if anything – it may be a stupid question. I figured you’d be just the person (or one of your readers) to answer this question. thanks

    ps I don’t eat American cheese, so I’m not really that familiar with it.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      September 28, 2011 at 1:08 pm

      Dianne, you are correct. American cheese IS processed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_cheese). Our family doesn’t like it, so we don’t eat it. Any time a recipe calls for American, I substitute cheddar – without exception.
      You could easily substitute any cheese in this recipe. Even with the American cheese in it, a homemade version of HH is going to contain a lot less additives. 🙂

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        September 28, 2011 at 9:25 pm

        This may be one HH I can actually eat without feeling sick. I don’t know what it is about that stuff in the box, but it just makes me sick…yuck!

        Reply
        • Stacy says

          September 29, 2011 at 6:48 am

          Amanda, I have never cared for HH either. 🙂

          Reply
  5. Tammy L says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Wow! The original recipe called for a LOT of butter!! :O 🙂 Looks delicious. 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      September 28, 2011 at 1:03 pm

      Butter is very delicious. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Allison says

    September 28, 2011 at 7:13 am

    Yum – sounds simple & easy and GOOD! Thanks!

    Reply
  7. Snapper says

    September 28, 2011 at 6:16 am

    Easy peasy! Thanks for this recipe Brandy. I like Mr. Bell’s attitude, lol!
    Have you seen this post ever? http://chickensintheroad.com/cooking/homemade-hamburger-helper/ It’s like a HH knock off bible. 🙂

    Reply


Hello! I’m Stacy!

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