Classic Kraft Dinner cooked in one of two ways. Either boiled separately and then all ingredients added, or everything cooked in one pan for a One Pan or No Strain KD. Plus some additional meats that can be added for Kraft Dinner Meals with Meat. If you’re looking for some Cheap KD Ideas to turn into a meal, We got it right here.

Kraft Dinner Ingredients

Pasta (Wheat), Cheese Sauce (Whey Powder, Cheddar Cheese, Salt, Butter, Paprika, Turmeric, Annatto, Natural Flavours, Citric Acid [Acidulant], Sodium Phosphate).

Kraft Dinner Instructions

The instructions provided by Kraft are as follows;

KD Microwave directions

1. Empty pasta into 6-cup microwaveable bowl. Add 1-3/4 cups hot water, stir.
2. Microwave on high 8 to 9 min. or until water is absorbed stirring every 3 min.
3. Add 1 tbsp. non-hydrogenated margarine, 1/3 cup skim milk and the cheese sauce mix.
4. Mix well.

KD Stove top directions

1. Boil 6-cups water. Add pasta; cook 7 to 8 min. or just until tender, stirring occasionally.
2. Drain; return to saucepan.
3. Add 1 tbsp. non-hydrogenated margarine, 1/3 cup skim milk and the cheese sauce mix.
4. Mix well. Makes 4 servings, 3/4 cup each.

What to add to Kraft Dinner

No matter how you cook the Kraft Dinner, the addition of Butter, Milk or Cream & Cheese is going to elevate the flavors. Along with some Salt & Pepper.

Add Butter & Milk in preferred amounts to adjust the Creaminess. Cheese Whiz, Cheese Whiz Sauce and/or Shredded Cheese to increase the Cheese Flavor and Salt & Pepper to season.

KD Cheese Ideas

You could also add Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce or Tostitos Cheese Dip to your Kraft Dinner for a Nacho Kraft Dinner Meal. This also adds a bit of heat, so additional Pepper isn’t needed. You can also add Velveeta Cheese, Cream Cheese, Old Fort White Cheddar, or Gouda Cheese.

No Strain Kraft Dinner

The One Pan KD or No Strain Kraft Dinner was a viral TikTok video showing Kraft Dinner cooked in one pot with everything and no straining. It is like a Hamburger Helper style meal. The idea behind this is boiling Pasta in just enough water to cook the Pasta and leave behind a slightly thickened Sauce from the Starches in the Pasta and the Water reducing, an Italian method of preparing Pasta. The Salt in the water seasons the Pasta and the reduction leaves behind a thickened Cheese Sauce.

I do mine a bit differently and find it yeilds the best results everytime. Mainly waiting to add the Pasta until after the liquids come to a boil. I also don’t add in any Milk/Cream, or Cheese until the very end. Preferring the Pasta to hit hot liquid and to cook up in a thin liquid for better cook through of the Macaroni.

How to Make No Strain KD

You don’t need a strainer because the small amount of liquid reduces, leaving behind a thickened cheese sauce. You make it in a similar way to Hamburger Helper, where the starches from the pasta also help to slightly thicken the sauce. This is how I do my version of a One Pan or No Strain KD meal.

No Strain KD with Meat

Any proteins can be cooked in the skillet and then the Cheese Packet, Water, Butter, Salt & Pepper added to bring to a boil before adding in the Pasta to cook until soft. After the Pasta is soft to your liking, add the Cheese option of either Cheese Whiz or shredded Cheese and Milk or Cream.

You will have to add more water to adjust for the added meat. So it’s easier to just cook the meat and set it aside to add back in. I don’t do this, I just add extra water if needed.

A tip for this is to keep a kettle of hot water nearby, and just add more if you think it needs it. If you find your self with a bit too much water, turn the heat up to reduce it faster. Keep in mind any Cheese added will thicken the sauce. For this reason I like to cook in a wide pan for more surface area to evaporate the water.

Boiled Kraft Dinner

Boiled Kraft Dinner is your classic way of preparing KD. Although KD should be boiled in salt water just the same as any other Pasta. Boiling in salted water will season the Macaroni far much better than just boiling in water. You can taste the diference between pasta boiled in salted water or if the salt was added after boiling.

How to Boil Kraft Dinner

Add 4 Cups of Water to a small pot over max heat with 1/2 Tbl of Sea Salt. Once boiling, add the Macaroni and boil for about 8 minutes or softened to your liking over medium high heat, mixing every once in a while. Strain out the Water and add 1 Tbl or more of Butter, Cheese Packet, your Cheese option of either Cheese Whiz or shredded Cheese and 1/4 C – 1/3 C Milk or Cream. Season with the Salt & Pepper, if needed and serve.

You don’t need a strainer here either. You can just use the lid and you don’t have to strain all the water out. Just a quick strain where most of the water is out, is good enough. In fact some of the water left behind will contribute to the creaminess. Since there is very little, it will thicken slilghtly when mixing everything together with the residual heat. Cheese Whiz or added shredded Cheese will also thicken the sauce.

Boiled KD with Meat

Cook any proteins while the Pasta is boiling. Then strain the Pasta, optionally reserving some pasta water to adjust he consistency later, and add the pasta to the meat. Mix in all additional ingredients, using the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency if needed.

You only need the lid to strain out the water and it doesn’t have to be completely strained. A little bit of Pasta water left behind will serve to make the Mac & Cheese Creamy. Especially when the additional ingredients are added and the macaroni is mixed around. The added Cheese will also create a thicker Cheese Sauce.

Kraftoodles

Kraftoodles was a dish I made when I was just a kid and still enjoy to this day every once in awhile. This is just KD & Mr Noodles cooked together with both seasoning packs. But it does a nice job at filling out the Kraft Dinner for more servings.

Kraft Dinner with Ketchup

Yes I am one of those guys who enjoys a plate of Kraft Dinner with Ketchup, it’s very good, adding a nice contrast. Especially with Meat like KD & ground Beef, Hot Dogs, Bologna, etc…

Kraft Dinner with Meat

Want to serve up some meat with that box of Kraft Dinner for a meal? No matter how you decide to cook the Kraft Dinner, there are all kinds of meats you can add.

Kraft Dinner with Hot Dogs

You don’t need too many hot dogs, 3-4 sliced hot dogs is enough for 2 portions. Slice and Fry up about 3–4 hot dogs in Fat. Set aside and add back in at the end or add your KD Ingredients for the One Pan or No Strain KD. Bacon Fat is good to use, so is rendered Pork Fat, or Lard. Another option is to slice these up and boil with the Kraft Dinner.

Kraft Dinner with Bologna

Just the same as Hot Dogs, Bologna can be chopped up and fried to include with the Kraft Dinner. Chop the desired amount of Bologna and fry in fat. Set aside and add to the prepared KD at the end or add the KD ingredients for the One Pan or No Strain KD.

Kraft Dinner and Ground Beef

About 90g – 1/4 lb of Ground Beef is good for a box of KD. You can add in Diced Onions, Garlic, Tomatoes, or Peppers. Or just use 1/2 tsp each of Onion Powder & Garlic Powder. But for me, just the classic will do. Maybe with a splash of Worcestershire sauce while cooking the ground beef for flavor. Just brown ground beef in a skillet over medium high heat.

Add the Boiled Macaroni to the browned ground beef with the remaining ingredients or add the KD ingredients to the browned ground beef and prepare the No Strain KD way.

The above image is made with 1/2 lb of ground beef for a really beefy KD meal. But you can get away with using 90 g of ground beef to really stretch out the meat and get a cheap meal. It’s not as beefy but just as good, escpecially with some Ketchup. With just 1 lb of Ground beef, you can make this dish 4-5 times, as suppose to using 1/2 lb to make this recipe twice. It’s a very good way to stretch out your food.

Kraft Dinner with Tuna

No matter the cook method for the KD. Use 1 can of Tuna in water, with the juices squeezed out and added very last, after the KD and all ingredients are added and mixed. Adjust the seasoning if needed.

Kraft Dinner with Pork

One thin pork chop, or about 1/4 lb of thinly sliced Pork. is enough for 2 people. Trim the fat and render so that you can fry the Pork in the Rendered Fat, which will add much more flavor to the overall dish. Bacon Fat can also be used here. Set aside to add in at the end to mix through before serving or add the KD Ingredients and prepare the One Pan or No Strain KD way.

Another option for the Pork that I really like is to use Ham Chops. Slice them thin after they have been marinated and then sat in water for a bit to remove excess salt. Fry them up in a frying pan just the same as you would with thinly sliced pork.

Another take on this, is ground pork cooked in the skillet just the same as ground beef. You don’t need a lot either, about 90g – 1/4 lb goes a long ways here. This can also be made with the 50/50 mix of ground Beef & Pork.

Kraft Dinner with Bacon Bits

You know those Bacon bits you buy in a bottle for Salads. They can be added to KD too! Just a sprinkle of Bacon Bits mixed in or sprinkled on top for added crunch. You can go with minced bacon just as well. Fry it up crisp and set aside. Add back into the KD or sprinkle on top when serving.

Kraft Dinner and Steak

About 1/4 lb of thinly sliced Steak across the grain is good. Trim the fat and render so that you can fry the Steak Strips in the Rendered Fat, which will add much more flavor to the overall dish. Beef suet can be used here instead and adds extra beefiness.

Kraft Dinner is also a side dish that is really good with a Steak. It’s the beefy well seasoned seared Steak with the Cheese combination I find is such a nice combination.