Super Easy Backpacking Mac & Cheese
Arguably one of the simplest backpacking meals you can make from just a few grocery store items! Add some smoked sausage or jerky to this macaroni and cheese for a quick, easy, and satisfying backpacking meal!
Anyone else grow up on Kraft Dinner and hotdogs? I’m not sure if that’s just a Canadian thing, but I sure did. And this is inspired by that nostalgic childhood meal.
Now it may not be the most appetizing-looking meal, but it sure hits the spot after a long day on the trails! I cooked this up after a full day of mountain biking with one of my best friends last weekend.
This is the second recipe in my new mini-series I’d like to call “Grocery Store Backpacking Meals”!
With a little planning and creativity, you most definitely can create delicious, nutritious, and AFFORDABLE backpacking meals right from your local grocery store!
Check out more Grocery Store Backpacking Meals Below!
The Cost Breakdown
I don’t want to bash pre-made dehydrated meals, because honestly, they’re super convenient. But they can be quite pricey, and if you do a lot of backpacking, the cost can really add up over time.
That is one huge benefit of creating backpacking meals from grocery store products, the overall cost per meal is significantly lower.
This meals cost breakdown is:
boxed macaroni and cheese package (I choose Western Family brand, white cheddar, 200g) = $1.49 CAD
double smoked Ukrainian sausage = approx. $2.49 CAD for 1/4 sausage link ($9.99 CAD for 375g sausage link)
milk powder = approx. $0.27 CAD for 2 Tbsp ($8.99 CAD for 500g package)
Total: $4.25 CAD
Please note: Prices may vary depending on store, country, location, sales, discounts, etc. These prices are based off Save On Foods Cochrane, AB.
There’s truly nothing complicated to this meal, it almost doesn’t need an actual recipe.
The ingredients and steps are simple.
Cook a boxed macaroni and cheese according to package instructions. Strain water BUT leave at least 1/4 cup pasta water in the pasta (otherwise you will have dry, sticky pasta). Add the cheese powder and skim milk powder (optional, but makes it a little more creamy) and stir until creamy. Add sliced smoked sausage or jerky to up the protein of the meal, and you’re good to go!
More Easy Backpacking Meals
Super Easy Backpacking Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 boxed macaroni and cheese with cheese powder (~200g box)
- smoked sausage or jerky of choice
- 2 Tbsp skim milk powder (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions (usually boil for 7-9 minutes). Leave about 1/4 cup of pasta water in pasta when straining out excess water. DO NOT strain all water out otherwise you will have very dry pasta and the cheese powder will not mix in well.
- Add milk powder and cheese powder and mix until creamy. Add more water if needed.
- Add sliced smoked sausage or jerky pieces, mix. Enjoy!
Easy and delicious, this Simple Backpacking Carbonara is a great addition to your backpacking meal list! Using whole egg powder, you don’t have to worry about handling raw eggs in the backcountry but can still make a fresh and ridiculously tasty pasta dish!