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Backpacking Stove
Dinner

Easy Backpacking Mac & Cheese for Hungry Hikers

Fuel your adventure with this quick, high-calorie mac and cheese, perfect for restoring energy after a demanding day on the trail.

Community rating
Added August 19, 2026
Source: blackwoodspress.com
Easy Backpacking Mac & Cheese for Hungry Hikers
Prep: 5 min
Cook: 10 min
Serves: 1
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

  • •1 box Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
  • •2.6 oz Foil-Pouch Tuna
  • •1 each Cheese Stick
  • •1 tbsp Whole Milk Powder
  • •1 tbsp Grated Parmesan
  • •1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • •3 cups Water
  • •1 pk Hot Cocoa Mix
  • •2 each Grandma’s Cookies

Equipment

  • • stove
  • • pot
  • • cup
  • • spoon
  • • pot-cozy

Instructions

  1. 1Bring 3 cups water to boil in pot.
  2. 2Pour off 1 cup hot water into mug for cocoa, then return pot to flame.
  3. 3Add macaroni and boil for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are cooked and water is mostly absorbed.
  4. 4Add olive oil, cheese powder, milk powder, seasonings, real cheese cubes and tuna. Stir to combine, cover and transfer to pot-cozy for 2-3 minutes until cheese becomes ooey-gooey and delicious.
  5. 5Top with grated Parmesan and dig in.

Camp tips

  • • This meal is easy to prepare on the trail with minimal cleanup.
  • • Feel free to substitute tuna with other shelf-stable meats.

Food safety & trail facts

Calories:
1660

Planning a trip? Open the Trip Planner — your saved favorite meals can be pulled into the generated menu.

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