Velveeta Hamburger Macaroni

This is the final chapter in my nostalgic Dad recipes.  You may remember Dad's Potato Pancakes and my version of his Chocolate Banana Milkshakes.  For my new readers, here's the deal.  I have three food memories of my dad growing up and I'm sharing them all with you because they make me happy. 

The only recipe left is Dad's Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese.  This is his recipe.  I make it just like he did and it's one of Thing 1's favorite meals.  When Dad makes this recipe, he slices up the Velveeta and lays them out around the edge of a plate.  When I was little, I would come up to him as he was cutting the cheese and give him my biggest, sweetest smile.  In return I got a piece of Velveeta and was a very happy girl.  Tonight everything came full circle.

My biggest Thing snuck up to the counter as I was stirring the macaroni and grabbed some cheese.  I caught this picture the second and immediately emailed it to Dad.  I called him and made him look at it right then and there.  I could hear the joy in his voice as he laughed and said, "He's just like his mother."  Family food memories are the BEST!

Velveeta Hamburger Macaroni

Ingredients:
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 pound ground beef
8 ounces Velveeta, cut into 1" cubes
3 tablespoons butter, cut into tablespoons and then quartered
1/2 cup milk, plus more if desired
Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a large pot filled halfway, bring water to a boil over high heat.  Salt water and pour in pasta.  Reduce heat to medium-high and cook until pasta is al dente.  Strain and set aside.
2. While pasta is cooking, cook ground beef until browned.  Drain off any grease and set aside.
3. Cover the bottom of a large microwave safe dish (that has a lid!) with 1/3 of the pasta.  Dot pasta with 1/3 of the butter and Velveeta.  Repeat layer 2 more times - pasta, butter and Velveeta.  Pour milk over the top.
4. Place lid on dish and microwave for 4 minutes on HIGH.  Remove lid and stir pasta.  Microwave for 3 more minutes.  Stir pasta again.
5. Season pasta with a little salt and a very generous amount of pepper.  {This is the key to making the dish just like Dad.}  Stir in ground beef.  Serve warm.