Cheesy Mexican Mac Food

MEXICAN MAC-N-CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the butter, corn, onions, red peppers, garlic and 1 teaspoon of salt to a medium saucepot set over medium-high heat. Saute until the onions are translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the cumin, chile powder, cayenne pepper and flour and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, to make a roux, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the cold milk in a steady stream, stirring vigorously until the mixture is smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until starting to thicken, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack. Cook until the sauce is smooth and creamy, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the scallions, pepper and rigatoni and mix well to combine.
• Pour the into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle the panko evenly over the top and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. Remove to a cooling rack and let rest for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Garnish with the cotija, jalapeno and cilantro. Serve immediately.

CHEESY MEXICAN MAC

Steps:

• Prepare Dinner as directed on package, using the Light Prep directions, and adding zucchini to the boiling water for the last 1 min. of Macaroni cooking time.
• Stir in remaining ingredients.
• Cook on medium heat 3 to 5 min. or until heated through.

EASY MEXICAN MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• SPRAY crockpot with cooking spray.
• DUMP pasta, then all other ingredients (except garnishes) in your crockpot.
• COOK ON HIGH for at least 45 minutes without disturbing; from that point on, stir every half hour or so, checking to see if the pasta is done (based on the reviews it can take anywhere between 45 minutes and two hours). When your pasta is cooked, proceed to Step #4.
• SERVE -- topped generously with green onions and crushed tortilla chips! Be sure to turn off the crockpot or switch to the warm setting, so the pasta doesn't get mushy.

ONE-SKILLET TEX MEX MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• To a large skillet, add the olive oil, onion, beef, and cook over medium-high heat until beef is cooked through and onion is soft and translucent, about 7 minutes; crumble beef and stir frequently to ensure even cooking.
• Add the bell pepper, corn, macaroni, water, tomatoes, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, stir to combine.
• Lower heat to medium low, cover, and allow mixture to simmer for about 20 minutes, or until pasta is tender and cooked through. Stir a couple times while simmering to ensure even cooking.
• Uncover, turn off the heat, add the cheese, and stir to combine and until melted. Taste and check for seasoning balance. If necessary add more salt or seasonings (I added an additional 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon of cumin).
• Evenly sprinkle the cilantro and serve immediately.

CHEESY SKILLET TACO MAC

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, ground beef and House Seasoning. Cook until the veggies begin to soften and the beef is slightly browned and no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin and beef stock.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the sauce reduces, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the pasta and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid starts to slightly absorb. Add the cheese and remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, top with the sour cream and sprinkle with the green onions, if using.
• Stir together the garlic and onion powders, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

MEXICAN MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine cream, half and half, asadero-style and Manchego cheese in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until cheese melts. Remove from heat. Add celery seeds and cayenne pepper. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Beat yolks in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in sauce. Add macaroni and stir to blend. Butter 4 quart baking dish. Pour macaroni and sauce into dish. Mix Cotija cheese and bread crumbs in small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over macaroni. Bake until sauce is bubbling and top is beginning to brown, about 25 minutes.

MEXICAN MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Stir in remaining ingredients.
• Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.

LOW FAT MEXICAN MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Boil water for the macaroni. Cook the noodles in the water until done, usually 7-9 minutes.
• While the noodles are cooking cube the cheese.
• When the noodles are done drain them and then return to the pan.
• Add the cubed cheese and taco seasoning. Stir well, until the cheese is melted.
• When melted, add the salsa and serve.

MEXICAN MAC & CHEESE DELUXE

Steps:

• Prepare Dinner as directed on package, stirring in the cumin with the Cheese Sauce.
• Stir in remaining ingredients except onions. Cook on medium heat until heated through, stirring occasionally.
• Sprinkle with onions.

MEXICAN MAC AND CHEESE WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until it is al dente.
• In butter, saute the peppers, onion and garlic and cook until veggies are softened and fragrant.
• Add chicken to pan.
• Stir in the adobo powder, flour, chili powder and cumin.
• Stir and cook until chicken is browned.
• Slowly whisk in the milk and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add parsley.
• Stir in all of the cheese until melted.
• Pour into greased casserole dish and bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes or until bubbly.

CHEESY MEXIMAC (MEXICAN MACARONI & CHEESE)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350*F. Coat an 11x7x2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Bring large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook 5 minutes. Add scallions and cook an additional 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a medium-sized saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly, until smooth. Stir in salt and pepper; bring to a simmer. Cook, simmering 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add half of the shredded cheese to milk mixture; whisk until smooth. Stir in corn, then combine in large bowl with pasta and scallions. Pour half into prepared dish; top with half of remaining cheese. Repeat, ending with cheese.
• Bake at 350*F for 25 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.