Every pantry has a package or two of macaroni and cheese dinner in there somewhere. It is the good beginning for a quick supper. I remember that when I worked (it hasn't been that long ago) I needed a quick dish for supper. If I had a pound of ground beef defrosting in the refrigerator and I could find a package of mac and cheese dinner, supper would soon be on the table.

I remember when I met my first package of Macaroni and Cheese Dinner. I thought it was a terrible waste of good macaroni. Macaroni and Cheese for me was always a baked dish, that is, until I came to Tennessee. Here, Macaroni and Cheese is a side dish. My husband would have agreed with that. If I served Baked Macaroni and Cheese as an entree, he would ask where were the potatoes. That was too much starch for me.

So, forget Mac and Cheese as a side dish. Here is an easy main course that won't hurt your pocketbook.

CHEESY MACARONI TACO BAKE

1 pkg (7 1/4 oz) Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1 lb ground beef
1 pkg Taco seasoning mix
1 egg
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, or
half and half with shredded Mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup chunky salsa

Heat oven to 350 F. Prepare Mac & Cheese Dinner as directed on package. Meanwhile, cook meat with taco seasoning mix as directed on that package. Drain. Add egg and 1 cup shredded cheese to prepared dinner. Mix well. Spoon into well greased 8 inch square baking dish. Cover with meat mixture, salsa and remaining shredded cheese. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.

To make it extra special, top with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes just before serving. You won't need a salad then. Serves 4