Southwest Mac Cheese With Optional Chicken Food

PEPITA CRUSTED CHEDDAR JACK SOUTHWEST CHICKEN MAC

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add dry elbow pasta to boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes or until al dente, drain and reserve.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and jalapeno. Saute for 4 to 5 minutes or until tender. Add chicken, cilantro, salt, cumin, pepper and tomatoes; saute for 3 to 4 more minutes, remove from heat and set aside.
• In a separate large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Remove from heat and whisk in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Place back on medium-high heat, slowly whisk in milk and bring to a boil while continuously whisking. Reduce heat and stir in Cheddar, Monterey Jack, smoked Cheddar and cream cheese until melted and smooth.
• Stir in cooked elbow noodles and chicken mixture. Pour mac and cheese mixture into a greased 3 quart casserole dish. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and bread crumbs. Toss to coat and sprinkle crumbs and pepitas over top of mac and cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crumbs browned. Enjoy!

SOUTHWEST MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Brown and strain the sausage.
• Start the shells and cheese cooking as the box directs only use a cup more water.
• Dice up the zucchini. I slice it thick with the skin on then quarter each slice.
• When the water starts to boil add the shells and zucchini.
• When the shells are tender drain the pot.
• Open and drain the can of rotel.
• Add all ingredients in to the pot adding the cheese package. ( I add a handful of my fav shredded cheese and 1/3 cup milk in addition to the packet.
• Salt and pepper to taste :).

SOUTHWEST MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except cheese in 12-inch nonstick skillet. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat.
• Cover and simmer 10 to 14 minutes, stirring frequently, until macaroni is tender. Stir in cheese until melted.

SOUTHWEST MAC-N-CHEESE

Steps:

• boil pasta shells according to package directions.
• brown ground beef in large saucepan or skillet with minced garlic and cumin.
• Drain fat.
• mix taco seasoning and water and pour over meat, stir well over medium/low.
• add rotel, beans, corn and Tabasco to pan and continue to cook over medium until all ingredients heated through.
• add pasta shells to pan and stir.
• pour cheese sauce from package over all and stir over medium until heated through.
• Serve with additional Tabasco to taste.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN, MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Brown chicken and cut into 1 inch pieces.
• Add 2 cups of water bring to a boil.
• Add the 2 cups of macaroni cook on medium heat for 15 minute or until all of the water is gone (mix often so it does not stick).
• Add 1 can of Rotel and 10 oz. of Velveeta cheese.
• Melt and serve.