This sort of meal was my childhood! My parents loved meal starters from a box or bag. Tuna casserole anyone? So much brown, excuse the photo :) Pretty sure the stuff from a box has you use milk instead of broth, or maybe it’s a mix, but either will work here. We just need a liquid to cook the pasta, and for the cream and cheese to melt into, so use whatever you stock.

Vegetarians, Beyond Meat makes a “ground beef” product. Alternatively, blitzing up 1 cup each of walnuts and cauliflower florets with a little salt and pepper in a food processor until it has a pebbly texture can work as a ground meat replacement here!

I added frozen peas because I needed one vegetable for my own peace of mind and my kids don’t complain. If you’re serving older, less picky kids, some baby spinach could wilt in here as well.